TIPS REPORT 36: MAINTAINING FRIENDSHIPS

 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

In our hearts, we are social creatures. Even the most introverted of us require social interaction from time to time. Even if it is just a few, having trusted friends helps make our lives a little brighter and more fulfilling. As we grow, age and transition, it can be harder to maintain these friendships. Luckily, if you remember these nine tips, you will be able to maintain any friendship.

 

1. Be Honest

Most of our relationships are based on honesty. If we aren't honest with our friends (and vice versa), then our whole friendship might be predicated on these falsehoods. We should be honest with our friends because they deserve it.

 

1. Learn to Keep Secrets

There will be times when our friends need us to keep a secret. Now, of course, these shouldn't be secrets that hurt other friends, but we should be willing to keep secrets for the most part. It's important friends know they can trust us.

 

3. Make Time For Friends

We need to strive to make time for our friends. We all live our own fast-paced lives, but it's important to carve out at least a little time for our friends. What's the point of friendship if we don't even have time for the people in our lives?

 

4. Show Up When Needed

It is especially important to make time for our friends when they need us most. In times of great need, who do we want support from? Our friends! The same is true for them as well.

 

5. Give Friends Space

While we need to spend time with friends, we also need to give our friends space when they need it. We can't take it personally if our friends ask for a little space, it's likely they need it, and it doesn't reflect on us at all.

 

6. Take It Easy

We need to try and remember that we all have our own lives. Sometimes plans will fall through. Life happens to all of us, so we need to keep our expectations in check when dealing with our friends.

 

7. Show Your Appreciation

While most of our best friendships don't require much management, it's still important that we share our appreciation with our friends. It's always nice to know that someone cares and appreciates us, so make sure your friends know it.

 

8. Address Your Misunderstandings

Even the best friendships will have their fair share of misunderstandings. The key is to make sure these misunderstandings don't linger or take a turn for the worse. We need to address any issues we have with our friends in a timely and mature fashion.

 

9. Be a Positive Force

This might be the most important tip of all. When it comes to our friendships, we should strive to be a positive force. We should build our friends up, support them and introduce positivity into their lives.

 

FAST-ACTION STEPS

 

a) Think about your most important friendships. Who are the people in your life that you count on being there?

 

b) Reach out to a friend that you haven't spoken to in a while. Check in to see how they are doing.

 

c) Show your appreciation to someone you care about. It could be as simple as a message or something more substantial like a gift.

 

FURTHER READING

 

Affiliate links:

1. Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close

https://amzn.to/3O2MN6x

2. Friendship in the Age of Loneliness

https://amzn.to/3OoOOcM

3. Made for Friendship

https://amzn.to/3zKPd5b

4. Radical Friendship

https://amzn.to/3O75KVy

5. The Friendship Formula

https://amzn.to/3N33KfR

TIPS REPORT 35: EMBRACING YOUR LATER YEARS

 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

No matter where you look, you will see the signs of a society obsessed with youth culture. Youthful people are on magazine covers, TV shows, and run social media. There are countless advertisements about regaining your youthful exuberance or keeping your skin looking young. Entering their older years can make you feel a little down - only if you let it, though! It would be best if you didn't fear aging. It should be embraced and enjoyed. If you are struggling with that, try these nine tips.

 

1. Explore Your Hobbies

With your kids growing up, you might find you have a bit more time to yourself—what a perfect chance to pick up a new and exciting hobby. Choose something you have always wanted to do, and go for it! If you had an old hobby, you didn't have the time for, maybe it is time to pick it back up.

 

2. Plot a Follow a Path

You are never too old to set goals. You might have reached more than a few of them to get to this point, but that doesn't mean you can't set more. Setting goals in your later years will help you stay active, motivated, and satisfied.

 

3. Keep Your Body Moving

Regular exercise is important for anyone. But it is especially important as you age. Make sure you get enough cardio in but don't be afraid to lift heavy things. Weightlifting will help you retain the muscle mass you typically lose as you age.

 

4. Let Go of Society’s Expectations

Don't let anyone tell you what you can and can't do because of your are. Wear what you want, listen to the music you like, and do the activities that excite you. You don't have to accept society's expectations of what it means to age.

 

5. Spend Time with All Ages

Spending time with all sorts of age groups will help you keep things in perspective. Spending time with your grandchildren will remind you of childlike wonder while spending time around your teenage family might make you happy about your maturity. Spending time with your older relatives will help you realize you have much living ahead of you.

 

6. Keep Your Health In Mind

Your health should always be one of your priorities. We mentioned exercise is important, but so is a healthy diet. You should also make sure you take care of your mental, dental, and eye health as well. Regular appointments with your family doctor will help keep you on track.

 

7. Stay Active in the Community

Physical stimulation is important, but so is mental and social stimulation. When you stay active in your local community, be it volunteering or joining a service club, you will feel more satisfied and happier in general.

 

8. Never Stop Learning

It is never too late to learn something new. The internet gives you unparalleled access to learning opportunities. You could also look for local classes if you like a more communal setting. Lastly, no matter what anyone says, it is never too late to

 

9. Try to Stay Positive

Keeping a positive outlook is one of the most important things you can do as you age. If you try to think and act positive, you will likely feel it. If you struggle with positivity, try a mindfulness technique like meditation or journaling.

 

FAST-ACTION STEPS

 

a) Is there anything you'd like to do but are worried you are "too old"? Forget about society's expectations and make a plan to do it!

 

b) Choose a hobby (new or old) and make a plan to get back into it.

 

c) What is something you have always wanted to learn more about? Look up local or online classes that could teach you what you need to know.

 

FURTHER READING

 

Affiliate links:

1. Elderhood: Redefining Aging

https://amzn.to/3zLbwrp

2. Successful Aging

https://amzn.to/3MWaQ5L

3. The New Rules of Aging Well

https://amzn.to/3xAQuJv

4. Aging with Grace

https://amzn.to/3zJwiI4

5. Aging Backwards

https://amzn.to/39vfOJ3

TIPS REPORT 34: COMMON CHALLENGES WE ALL FACE

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

Each one of us takes a unique journey in life. No one's life experience is the same as someone else. That isn't to say there isn't any commonality at all, though. At one time or another, most of us face the same major challenges in life. It's quite possible that our response to those challenges will shape our entire life. How will you respond to these nine common challenges most of us face?

 

1. Loss of a Loved One

A loved one passing away is something none of us can escape. At some point - and often multiple points - in our lives, we lose someone we love. It is easy to get lost in grief, but our loved ones would want us to live on healthy and happy.

 

2. The Opinions of Others

While it would certainly be nice to escape the option of others, good luck getting through life without dealing with it. Whether it is friends, family, or random strangers, people will have an opinion on how you are living your life. The key is to know your core values and stick to them no matter what other people think.

 

3. Rejection

It would be shocking if you coasted through life without the bitter sting of rejection. You might not get into your first-choice college or land that dream job. You could be into someone who isn't into you. Regardless of the type of rejection, learning to bounce back better than ever should be your goal.

 

4. Career Change

Some people are lucky enough to finish school and go into a job that carries them to retirement. While that sounds nice, it is far from the norm these days. Most of us will have to go through some career change. No matter if you change your career entirely or just switch places of employment, dealing with this upheaval will be vital to your long-term success

 

5. Figuring Out Who We Are

Sometimes it takes a long time for us to figure out who we are. We spend our entire youth trying to pinpoint it. What makes me tick? What do I believe in? What do you I want? These seem like simple questions, but humans have been struggling to answer them for ages.

 

6. Overcoming Your Past

We all have a past to reckon with. This past may not include any serious trauma or skeletons in the closet, but we still all have our regrets and bad decisions. Reflecting on the past is good, but we can't keep living there. Being able to move beyond this past is an important part of all of our experiences.

 

7. Relationships Ending

There are a lot of stories of high school sweethearts living their lives happily ever after. For the vast majority of us, though, we will likely go through a few (or more!) relationships before we find our person. The end of a relationship can be a massive upheaval, so take time to grieve it. Eventually, though, you need to get up, brush yourself off and put yourself out there again.

 

8. Health Issues

Life can come at you very fast if you suffer a serious health issue. Even a less serious health issue could change the way you live your daily life. No matter the severity, most of us will have to deal with some sort of medical issue. Keeping a positive outlook will be a huge boost to your recovery.

 

9. Failure

Good luck trying to get through life without failing at something. The reality is that all of us will fail at some point, which is a good thing. Failure is one of the best lessons we will ever learn. You learn a lot about yourself in the face of failure. How you choose to react to failure will shape your entire life.

 

FAST-ACTION STEPS

 

a) What challenges have you already faced? What did you learn? How did you get through them?

 

b) Consider the common challenges we all face. Which one do you fear the most?

 

c) Address your fear by creating a plan on how you will deal with this future challenge.

 

FURTHER READING

 

Affiliate links:

1. Most Intimate: A Zen Approach to Life's

https://amzn.to/3zHshny

2. Getting Through It

https://amzn.to/39CI5NB

3. Getting Through What You Can't Get Over

https://amzn.to/3Hy4BUp

4. Getting Past What You'll Never Get Over

https://amzn.to/3MW9WGp

5. Obstacle Is The Way

https://amzn.to/3OrrVpj

TIPS REPORT 33: HABITS OF LIKABLE PEOPLE

 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

Don't you hate those people who everyone likes? Actually, you probably don't! Some people have this ability to skate through life, beloved by everyone. They find it easy to make friends and rarely ruffle anyone's feathers. You might want to hate them, but you simply can't. If you would like to learn more about the habits of likable people, keep reading.

 

1. They Are Genuine

Likable people are honest. You can't be likable if you are constantly lying, it will catch up to you eventually. Likable people are also genuinely themselves. They don't act like anyone else; they are happy with who they are.

 

2. They Give Freely

You don't have to give away everything you own to be likable, but being willing to give without receiving anything in return is a key trait of a likable person. Giving isn't limited to money and gifts though, likable people are also willing to give their time.

 

3. They Let Others Shine

It feels good to be recognized for something that you have accomplished. Likable people will allow you to bask in that glory. They are happy to see you get rewarded and don't hold any jealousy about it.

 

4. They Ask Thoughtful Questions

It is often said that we should listen two times as much as we speak. Likable people take this a step further. They don't just listen, though; they follow up with thoughtful questions that prove they are actually interested in what you have to say.

 

5. They Are Positive

It is much more enjoyable to spend time with positive people. They might not be over the top happy at all times, but likable people tend to think and act positively. They will always find the silver lining when you are feeling down in the dumps.

 

6. They Don't Pass Judgement

Likable people tend to be less judgmental than the rest of us. If they do judge someone, they will do it silently. They believe in "live and let live" as long as your actions aren't directly harming them or the people around them.

 

7. They Are Humble

There are few things worse than spending time in the company of a braggart. While it is perfectly fine to be proud of your accomplishments, talking about them all the time is a bore. Likable people certainly have accomplishments they are proud of, but they would rather you ask about them first.

 

8. They Take Responsibility

No one is perfect; we all make mistakes at one point or another. Likable people are no different; they make mistakes, too - sometimes major ones. The difference is they take responsibility. They acknowledge they did wrong, apologize and then let you know how they plan to make sure it never happens again.

 

9. They Are Patient

Likable people are often more patient than others. They don't mind waiting for you to figure out what you want to do. They don't get irritated or annoyed very quickly. They will let you move at your speed, just happy to be in your company.

 

FAST-ACTION STEPS

 

a) Look at the list of habits above. Which ones do you think you already possess? Write these down.

 

b) Looking at the same list of habits, which ones do you lack? Write these down.

 

c) Finally, look at the list of habits you lack. Develop a plan to foster this habit in your life.

 

FURTHER READING

 

Affiliate links:

1. How to Win Friends & Influence People

https://amzn.to/3HAcatP

2. Likeable Social Media

https://amzn.to/3zKNlcF

3. Witty Banter: The Art & Science of Being Charismatic, Clever, and Likeable

https://amzn.to/3N5Ivd4

4. Connect with Anyone: How to Be Instantly Likeable

https://amzn.to/3O4IGqi

5. The Likeable Expert

https://amzn.to/39CHyLB

TIPS REPORT 32: STOP FEELING GUILTY ABOUT SELF-CARE

 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

Amazingly, one of the things that we typically feel guilty about is taking care of our own needs. It feels downright selfish to focus on yourself when there is so much you could be doing for others. While compassion, empathy, and kindness are wonderful qualities, we have to direct a little of that towards ourselves as well. If you have ever felt guilty about self-care, then you should consider these nine facts.

 

1. Self-Care Isn't an Indulgence

Taking care of your own needs isn't some frivolous act of selfishness. It is vitally important to your well-being. If you aren't taking care of yourself, you are risking health issues - both physical and mental.

 

2. Other People Practice Self-Care

Many people don't have any hang-ups about practicing self-care. Many of the people in your life have no qualms about taking care of themselves. If other people have no problem putting their own needs first, why shouldn't you? If you don't look after yourself, who will?

 

3. Helping Yourself, Helps Others

If you want to take care of anyone else, you need to meet your needs. The happier and healthier you are, the more capable you will be of helping the people you love. There is a reason that flight attendants tell you to put your mask on before helping others.

 

4. Your Loved Ones Want You To Take Care of Yourself

No one is going to begrudge you focusing on your self-care. Well, no one that matters anyway. Your closest loved ones will want the best for you, which includes practicing self-care. When you ignore your self-care, you are ignoring the wishes of your closest friends and family.

 

5. Get Comfortable With the Word "No"

It can be hard to say no, but you should strive to get used to it. People feel guilty when they say no, but quite often, that is the best answer. Setting boundaries on your time and energy isn't a bad thing. On top of that, you don't have to explain yourself - "no" is a full sentence.

 

6. Self-Care is Vital to Your Goals

Do you have any goals or dreams you aspire to achieve? If you do, then you are doing a disservice to yourself when you avoid self-care. It is much easier to reach your goals when you are attacking them healthy and happy.

 

7. Self-Care is About Self-Respect

Do you respect yourself? If you answered yes, but have been ignoring your self-care, then you are lying to yourself. You can't possibly respect yourself if you don't honor your own needs. If you respect yourself, then you should know you are worthy of self-care.

 

8. Self-Care Protects You

Proper self-care protects you from many different things. Self-care helps protect your health, energy, mind, time, and boundaries. Self-care is one of the best time investments you can make to protect yourself from future harm(s).

 

9. You Deserve It

There isn't a better reason for you to stop feeling guilty about self-care than the fact that you deserve it. Life is tough. We are all on a journey. It makes sense that we take some time to take care of ourselves. You deserve to enjoy the moments you can.

 

FAST-ACTION STEPS

 

a) Think about any aspects of self-care that you might be overlooking. Focus on things like your mental, physical and spiritual health. Are you struggling with any area?

 

b) Once you have found an area of your self-care you are neglecting (or want to expand upon), brainstorm a few ways you could address it.

 

c) Choose one small action you can take right now as your first step to addressing your area of need. Take it!

 

FURTHER READING

 

Affiliate links:

1. The Self Care Prescription Journal

https://amzn.to/3xZxrd7

2. Better Daily Self-Care Habits

https://amzn.to/39zsxdC

3. The Extremely Busy Woman's Guide to Self-Care

https://amzn.to/3tJCMmy

4. A Year of Self-Care

https://amzn.to/3b8YPwC

5. Self-Care Check-In

https://amzn.to/3tF3koL

TIPS REPORT 31: HOW TO GET GOOD ADVICE

 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

Everyone needs good advice, now and then. No matter how independent we think we are, there comes a time when we need to call on someone else's opinion. The problem is, not all advice is equal. As often as we get good advice, we receive bad advice. If you want to make sure that you are getting good advice, here are nine tips that will help.

 

1. Figure Out What Advice You Need

You can't get good advice if you don't first admit you need it. Figure out what you need advice about. Focus on things like big decisions you need to make or areas of your life you are struggling. It's important to know what kind of advice you need, so you can narrow down where to look for it.

 

2. Find Someone Who Has "Been There Before"

A great way to get good advice is to find people who have accomplished what you want to accomplish. For example, if you want advice on what type of law you'd like to practice, it makes sense to find some current lawyers to chat with.

 

3. Reach Out to Your Most Trusted Friends

Friends and family are great places to look for good advice. The main benefit here is that you will know their expertise. The other benefit is that a loved one will do their best to give you good advice because they have your best interests at heart.

 

4. Make Sure Your Target Wants to Give Advice

Be wary if you approach someone who doesn't seem comfortable giving you advice. If they are annoyed by your request or don't want to share their expertise, you might end up getting bad advice. They might not even do it on purpose. A person who doesn't want to give advice might say whatever is on their mind to get rid of you.

 

5. Consider People's Potential Biases

When you are seeking good advice, it is important to consider any biases the advice-giver may have. A perfect example is getting relationship advice from someone who just got out of a bad one. They might have your best interests in heart but can't separate the bitterness of their situation from their advice.

 

6. Ask More Than One Person

There is nothing wrong with getting more than one person's advice. After all, if a doctor gave you a diagnosis you were concerned about, it's natural to ask for a second opinion. Sometimes you will find the best solution when you take bits and parts from everyone's advice.

 

7. Take Advantage of Your Current Resources

Depending on where you are in life, you might have some helpful resources you can reach out to ask for advice. In school, you might have a favorite teacher or guidance counselor. Your work might offer you a chance for mentorship. If you go to a gym, you might have access to a personal trainer.

 

8. Do Your Own Online Search

If you don't have anyone to reach out to, you can find a lot of great information with a Google search. The problem is, you need to figure out what to trust. It would help if you learned the Hierarchy of Evidence. Without boring detail - clinical research trials are near the top, and random memes from Facebook are at the bottom.

 

9. Be Willing to Offer Your Own Good Advice

This point might seem like a strange addition. After all, you want to get advice, not give it. However, giving good advice is a great way to encourage others to help you when you are in need. The more people you give good advice to, the more people who will be willing to give you the best advice possible.

 

FAST-ACTION STEPS

 

a) Where could you use some good advice in your life? Make a list of everything you could use some advice about.

 

b) Look at your list, and think about where to get the advice you need. Do you know anyone with expertise in these areas? Match up the advice you need with people already in your life.

 

c) Do your own search. If you had any areas of advice that didn't match up with someone in your life, do some online searching for your own answers.

 

FURTHER READING

 

Affiliate links:

1. The Advice Trap: Be Humble, Stay Curious

https://amzn.to/3zLtdHm

2. Pretty Good Advice: For People Who Dream Big and Work Harder

https://amzn.to/3mUgUkC

3. Everything Is Figureoutable

https://amzn.to/3zHJk97

4. Damn Good Advice (For People with Talent!)

https://amzn.to/3y15oKu

5. Directions: Really Good Advice for Getting from Here to There

https://amzn.to/39ypulT

TIPS REPORT 30: STAYING OPTIMISTIC WHEN BUSINESS IS SLOW

 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

Whether you run your own business or work for someone else's, it can be a stressful time when sales are down. When revenue slows down, it can affect everyone's morale. The head office of a struggling business can be a depressing place to be. If you run your own business, it can be even grimmer. You might not have the money to float your struggling business for that long. However, the reality is most businesses will ebb and flow. If you want to learn how to stay positive when it ebbs, check out these nine tips.

 

1. Reflect on Past Lulls

Often our fears of what could happen are significantly worse than what really happens. You have likely dealt with business slowing down before. Reflect on those times, and appreciate the fact that you are still here.

 

2. Is The Reason Outside of Your Control?

While we don't always know what is causing our business to slow down, there are sometimes obvious issues that we can't control. Things like crazy weather, a struggling economy, or - I dunno - a worldwide pandemic might be hurting your business. If this is the case, focus on the fact you aren't doing anything wrong. Accept that you can't control everything.

 

3. Brush Up on Your Skills

If business is slow, and you want to stop obsessing over it, why not brush up on your skills? When you spend time improving yourself, you will think less about your business. You will also build self-confidence that can help keep you positive.

 

4. Examine Your Processes and Systems

When business slows down, you might find yourself with a bit more free time. This is a great time to examine the processes and systems of your business (or workflow). You can use the extra time to dial in your systems so that you are even more efficient when business picks up.

 

5. Is It Time to Innovate?

Sometimes business slows down because it has become stale. If this is the case, you can help stay positive by innovating. If you own a business, you could develop a new product or service to offer. If you are an employee, you could try and figure out new unique ways to contribute.

 

6. Enjoy Some Leisure Time

Often we get so lost in our business or job that we don't take enough time for ourselves. If things are slowing down at work, maybe it is time you enjoyed some of your favorite leisure activities. It is easier to stay positive when you are focused on self-care.

 

7. Learn From It

One of the best ways to stay positive when faced with any obstacle is to try and glean a lesson from it. What can you learn about business slowing down? Is there any takeaway that will help both you and the business to grow?

 

8. Keep Working

Just because your business is slowing down doesn't mean you give up. Keep up the good work. Something got you this far, after all. You will feel much more positive if you continue to work instead of hiding your head in the sand.

 

9. Spend Time With the People You Love

If business slowing down allows you to spend more time with your loved ones - that is a win. You will find it much easier to stay positive if you surround yourself with supportive people cheering for your success.

 

FAST-ACTION STEPS

 

a) Reflect on a past time that business was slow or you were worried about your job. How did things work out in the long term?

 

b) Reach out to someone who has dealt with a business failing or a change in their career. Ask them for advice. Ask them how things worked out in the end.

 

c) Expect the best, but plan for the worst. What would your first three steps be if your business failed or you lost your job?

 

FURTHER READING

 

Affiliate links:

1. Your Next Five Moves: Master the Art of Business Strategy

https://amzn.to/3xZXlgU

2. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

https://amzn.to/3HBbOD6

3. A Year of Positive Thinking:

https://amzn.to/3HyHd9s

4. Master Your Mind, Mood & Attitude In The Workplace

https://amzn.to/3zHpZ7W

5. The Power of Positive Thinking

https://amzn.to/3xWQcOt