10 Reasons Why People Who Read a Lot Are More Likely to Be Good Leaders

Reading is currently on a global decline. The statistics and polls behind this pattern are frightening because the shortage of readers means there will be a shortage of leaders. There is no disputing it: reading offers you the platform to become a leader. Famous leaders from Steve Jobs to Elon Musk engage in a lot of intellect-building by reading books. This is what reading offers when it comes to leadership.

1. They have better people skills.

According to researchers, reading encourages our brains to try to relate with the characters we are reading about. Even if we go several days without coming back to the book, our brain continues to make neural connections with the experiences and behaviors of these characters. By connecting with several characters of a book, we boost our emotional IQ and become more able to connect with people. These kinds of skills are important for leadership as they help us communicate with our associates.

2. They have a wider vocabulary.

People who read expand their vocabularies from exclusively verbal to emotional as well. By reading more, one is exposed to a wider span of vocabulary. With an improved vocabulary, a person can have better communication skills which are helpful in expressing desires and thoughts. You can make demands and seek answers as you navigate your path to leadership.

3. They have a more rounded perspective.

Instead of viewing the world from a preferential angle, they see it from a holistic one. With reading you are able to travel to new places, engage in many conversations, and be a part of many plots. Having a more rounded perspective doesn’t make you limited to a particular scope or leave you fixated on one piece of reality; rather, you see the world as a terrain of limitless possibilities and challenges.

4. They have better associations.

People like to connect and interact with readers because of their ability to converse with an array of word choices. They are more discerning and prove to be more knowledgeable in conversations. Networking and connecting with other people who are similar to them on such ideals sort of triggers and propels them toward leadership.

5. They are more relaxed.

According to a study, reading can help to reduce stress. Compared to other stress relievers like walking, listening to music or drinking a cup of tea, reading was discovered to be the most effective as it lowers heart rates and can relieve tension in few minutes. With a calmer demeanor, readers are more positive and focused for leadership.

6. They are more intellectually challenged.

Readers are better thinkers according to research. This is because reading builds your intellectual capacity to reason and solve problems. It is also noted that reading something you disagree with could have a big impact on the way you think, both logically and creatively.

7. They are reminded of past actions.

Sometimes, reading serves as a mirror to who you are. Reading certain books could remind you of things that you knew before. Reading filters your thoughts and awareness and keeps important concepts at the top of your mind.

8. They are more energetic and purpose driven.

Reading makes you feel more energetic, positive, and confident. Readers are better vitalized and aware enough to navigate through different channels for success. Reading positions them to be mentally sharp and active.

9. They have an improved focus.

Because of reading constantly, people who read are able to sustain their focus on a long-term project. Avid readers hate distractions and dislike it when they have to put a book down. This is also an important element for any leader.

10. They are good time managers.

Reading is always available for any reader. Instead of waiting and being idle, reading is always a valuable avenue to manage their time and get more done. Any minute wasted could be put to good use in reading a book. Such awareness is also prevalent in leaders as they see every minute as vital to meeting their goals.

Featured photo credit: http://www.photopin.com via photopin.com

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5 Reasons Why You Should Embrace Anxiety (Myths Debunked)

You have what we call, generalized anxiety disorder,” my doctor said.

After years of unending worry, I had decided to talk to my doctor about what I’d been feeling. I always felt worried about things going wrong and people being angry with me. Other people seemed so much more relaxed than me. Why? Was there a different way of thinking? Was there a different way to handle stress?

And while sometimes my anxiety still gets the best of me, and every day can be a HUGE challenge, once I accepted I was a naturally anxious person and began learning to work with it instead of against it, my life improved greatly.

You may feel the same way, thinking: “Oh I wish I wasn’t so nervous on dates,” or, “Why can’t I just be ready to go for that job interview?”; or, “Why do I incessantly worry about needless crap?”

But everyone feels anxiety, it’s just that some people are better at dealing with it and turning it into positive action, whereas others get paralyzed by it and worry about things for days.

How can you learn to embrace anxiety?

1. “Being anxious and being excited feel eerily similar”

One day when I was asking a friend for advice on moving abroad, he said this to me. It makes sense: with both excitement and anxiety you feel butterflies in your stomach, you shake or vibrate with energy, and you are anticipating something.

The difference is that one propels you forward, and one keeps you held back in fear.

When you look at something and feel anxious, try to also see the part that could be making you feel excited. In fact, studies have shown that doing this can improve your performance in situations you are worrying about … not to mention the fact that it will make you much happier.

For example, you might get nervous about going on a first date. It makes sense: you want them to like you and you want it to go well. But you’re probably also feeling a tinge of excitement – Could this be a potential relationship? Is the night going to end with you back at someone’s place? Are you going to connect with someone really cool?

Anxiety and excitement often go hand in hand. So, try to focus on excitement as well, when you are feeling anxious.

2. Anxiety shows you things you can improve

Anxiety is very personal. One person can feel extremely anxious in a certain type of situation, while another is perfectly fine. Someone who always does well on tests is probably going to be a bit nervous before taking one, but they know they will do fine. Another person who is always liked in social situations feels nervous about meeting new people, but knows that usually everyone is friendly and there’s no reason to worry.

But if the test-taker isn’t used to socializing and the social dynamo doesn’t study much, OF COURSE they will feel anxiety. They don’t have enough practice in either situation to feel confident. So if you feel lots of anxiety in one area of your life, you can see that as a sign of things you need to work on.

In treating anxiety this way, you can learn to improve as a person.

3. Anxiety and conscientiousness are interconnected

If you are anxious, you probably think about the future a lot. You might be caught up thinking about what will go wrong, what will happen if you say something to offend someone, and what if people get angry with you…

But if you live all your life in the future, you can never enjoy the present, and you are constantly bound to fear. But being conscientious about what you say is good – you want to be well liked and treat people with respect. Also, looking towards the future when you plan is great. This helps you to make sure you don’t run out of money, make a bad decision, or mess up your life!

This foresight can also be used to plan so you decrease your anxiety and do better in life. In fact, scientists have a term for people like this: healthy neurotics – people who are anxious, but don’t let the anxiety control them. They use the anxiety to plan ahead, do the best they can, and then trust that they have done enough preparation for whatever they are trying to achieve or accomplish.

The thing is that if you have anxiety, little things may send you into an unnecessary worry cycle. For example, losing one day of sleep might make you tired the next day, but you won’t die and you can probably still work. Missing the gym once might set you back incredibly slightly on your fitness goals, but in the long run, it won’t matter much.

Having foresight and being conscientious are both incredibly desirable features – just not when they paralyze you. To help yourself, you can take small steps towards things you feel scared about, and you’ll see that even if something goes “wrong”, you will still be OK.

For example, you could take a day off from the gym on purpose. Weigh yourself at the end of the week. Are you still on track to achieve your goal of gaining muscle or losing fat? You probably will be, and this proof discounts your brain’s attempts to predict that bad things will always happen.

Our mind assumes we will keep getting what we’ve always gotten in similar situations, due to emotional memory stored in the part of our brain known as the amygdala. In fact, sometimes it will goad us into making decisions or taking actions to deliberately GET the same result. It does not recognize that we can gain wisdom through experience and age.

Or, if you have never done something before, the brain will project negatively, (making an assumption that in the future something bad will happen), to try to achieve priority number one: keeping you alive.

But we don’t live in a time of dinosaurs and tigers anymore. Most ‘dangers’ are not actually that dangerous and we can, if our fears come true, recover from a social embarrassment or financial loss.

4. Anxious moments are opportunities to practice valuable skills

Before approaching that attractive person, delivering that important speech, or taking that test, you know how you’re likely to feel. Your palms will be sweating, your heart starts to beat faster, your chest tightens, you have a billion thoughts racing in your head, and maybe you need to use the restroom….

This is all being triggered by your body recognizing the flight, fight, or freeze response as danger.

You can get rid of anxiety in two ways: not doing the thing (avoiding the moment or event that causes the anxiety), or pushing through (since afterwards, the anxiety will have come and passed).

It is in the moments of choosing to push through that you can practice valuable skills that propel you forward in life.

One of the worst things people suffering from anxiety can think is that because of the anxiety they can’t or shouldn’t do something. For example, they shouldn’t ask for a raise, they shouldn’t stand up for themselves, or they shouldn’t talk to people. Sure, not doing these things might make the anxiety go away, but this also leads to HEAPS of regret, guilt, and keeps you from growing in life.

So when you get anxious, try supportive self-talk, such as, “After we do this, we can take a break and I’ll buy you lunch”, or, “It will be OK, I know you can do it”, or, “You’ll feel better for doing this, and you will grow”, and “I believe in you”. This might seem airy-fairy, but self-talk can make or break you, and the most successful people replace negative self-talk with positive alternatives. They offer offer unconditional support to themselves as much as they can, even during times when they think they are bad or they’ve screwed up.

You can also extend this to learning how to meditate and breathe deeply. In anxious moments, our shoulders rise and tighten, our neck cranes forward, and we want to close ourselves off – It’s a defensive posture which happens in preparation for attack. Instead, you want to learn how to slow down your breathing and breathe deeply, relaxing bodily tension. The mind and body are intimately connected, so if one relaxes, so will the other.

If you are like me, a great deal of your anxiety stems from being a Type-A, high achieving person who is continuously hard on themselves when things don’t get done. We over-achievers need to learn that there’s always another day to do work, important things will get done, (we’ll find a way), and it’s never worth the stress. We are so kind to our best friends, but why not to ourselves?

If you need more reasons to be self-compassionate, multiple studies (Breines, et.al., Rohleder, et.al.) have shown that self-compassion has been linked to lower levels of inflammation-induced stress. This kind of stress can lead to health issues like cardiovascular problems, and cancer.

5. Pushing through anxiety demonstrates great strength and courage. It is not a sign of weakness

I think this is something we all forget.

It’s easy to give in to fear and anxiety and not do the things we are scared of. It’s far easier than pushing through and risking personal rejection. It’s always easier not to rock the boat.

But it can also be incredibly dangerous, leading to a life of frustration, boredom, aggravation, and feeling like you aren’t living how you should be.

Pushing through your anxiety can be INCREDIBLY difficult, and it can take a lot of mental strength and courage. But it’s worth it to strive for what you want, whether that be in personal relationships, work, travel, or another aspect of your life.

You should commend yourself every time you do something that scares you. Give yourself lots of positive support. Buy yourself a small gift. Relax for a bit.

I know from personal experience that dealing with anxiety can be incredibly difficult, and some days you just want to give up. Some days it’s easier to just not push… and that’s OK. But with only one life to live, you need to begin breaking through your barriers to get what you want, even if this is achieved small step by small step.

Anxiety doesn’t go away. You will just get used to it over time and learn how to deal with it more effectively.

As you face your fears and learn tools that can help you to make friends with your anxiety, it will eventually lose it’s power to control how you live your life.

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10 Differences Between an Amateur Artist and a Professional Artist

As artists, we shouldn’t be careless with our works. Somehow we dedicate ourselves and want to show the world we are something. At the end our work is our legacy. Here are things that differentiate us from the amateurs.

1. An amateur never sticks to schedule; a professional is always on time.

“There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who, with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into sun.”

—Pablo Picasso

An amateur artist only shows up when he feels like it. He doesn’t maintain a regular work ethic and is never consistent. But professionals put themselves to work on days they don’t feel like it. Whether they feel like it or not, they show up to work.

2. An amateur feels he is good enough; a professional knows he is never good enough.

“The artist is always beginning. Any work of art which is not a beginning, an invention, a discovery is of little worth.”

—Ezra Pound

While an amateur stagnates and becomes overconfident of his ability, a professional knows there is still a lot to learn and improve upon. Professionals empty themselves and want to get better at their craft and are never too proficient to accept corrections.

3. An amateur is in a hurry; a professional is always patient.

“Art doesn’t have to be pretty. It has to be meaningful.”

—Duane Hanson

An amateur wants to get the job done as quickly as possible. Sometimes this may mean they access seemingly shorter and unlawful routes to get them to their destination. But the professional knows that brilliance and excellence requires patience.

4. An amateur is easily distracted; a professional is focused on the goal.

“The whole culture is telling you to hurry, while the art tells you to take your time. Always listen to the art.”

—Junot Diaz

The professional wants to finish something and he will commit himself to completing a task before moving on to the next one. They are not distracted by doubters, negative talk or other exciting offers. They focus. But the amateur cannot finish one assignment before jumping to another one.

5. An amateur doesn’t connect; a professional connects.

“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”

—Thomas Merton

An amateur isolates himself from every other person within his network. He is arrogant and presumptuous and feels networking is not important. But the professional sees the need to network and connect with his peers to improve the quality of his art.

6. An amateur doesn’t take himself seriously; a professional sees his art as his reason for existence.

”When it is working, you completely go into another place, you’re tapping into things that are totally universal, completely beyond your ego and your own self. That’s what it’s all about.”

—Keith Haring

His art may be a hobby or simply a side thing. He doesn’t see it as a way to contribute to humanity and to existence. He is simply content with being known as a part-time artist. A professional breathes and lives his works. He cannot imagine doing any other thing or having another career.

7. An amateur believes in big outcomes; a professional doesn’t mind starting small.

“I am interested in art as a means of living a life; not as a means of making a living.”

—Robert Henri

An amateur wants quick gains and always believes he deserves more than he is getting. But a professional keeps on going regarding the outlook or prospects of his present commitment. He wants to get better and wants to offer the world something and it really is not about what the world has to offer him/her.

8. An amateur doesn’t pay attention to the detail; a professional is concerned about every detail.

”Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It’s a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got.”

—Steven Pressfield

An amateur wants to get the job done and doesn’t see how one piece of the artwork could make a difference. But the professional gives everything to a particular task and keeps on going to make sure the work shows his brilliance and class.

9. An amateur is concerned about what other people think; a professional is self aware.

“Art attracts us only by what it reveals of our most secret self.”

—Jean-Luc Godard

An amateur can’t really quantify his product. Rather the product quantifies him. He listens to critics and could be confused or dampened by their comments. The professional looks for self accomplishment first. He/she wants to feel validated from within rather than from the outer world.

10. An amateur waits for inspiration; a professional hunts for it.

“To draw, you must close your eyes and sing.”

—Pablo Picasso

An amateur is always waiting for everything to be perfect before he gets going. He complains that his “wow” moment is simply not coming often. The professional knows that inspiration exists everywhere. Because he is self aware, he knows how to tap into it.

Featured photo credit: http://www.flickr.com via flickr.com

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This Infographic Will Show You That It’s Never Too Late To Start

As an old Chinese adage goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

Always hearing about child prodigies and 20-something billionaires can make us feel dejected and worthless. We feel we’ll never make anything substantial out of our life and our dreams shall remain always unfulfilled.

You are wrong if you believe there’s any age limit for success. For those who possess a drive and a passion, age is just a number. They don’t accept sitting and waiting for a sudden change of fortune as a reasonable escape from their despairs.

There are many cases of famous people finally making it big in their later years. Joseph Conrad was one such late bloomer. Conrad, the writer of masterpieces like “Heart of Darkness,” didn’t speak English until the age of 20.

Paul Cézanne, the famous French Post-Impressionist painter, never painted until he was 20. Sylvester Stallone, of Rambo and Rocky fame, had only adult film roles by the age of 24. Rocky Marciano, who was never defeated in his entire career, didn’t pick up boxing until the age of 20.

There are even more dramatic and inspiring late-bloomer stories that prove it’s never too late to get your start. Vincent Van Gogh didn’t paint until 27. Julia Child didn’t know French cuisine until 30. She only started appearing on The French Chef after turning 51. Grandma Moses started painting until the age of 78. Fauja Singh, who became the first 100-year-old to run a marathon, started running marathons at the age of 89.

Still think it’s too late?

Featured photo credit: Late Bloomers Who Succeeded Despite Their Age via assets.entrepreneur.com

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10 Useful Books On Time Management Recommended By Entrepreneurs

We all know that the most precious resource in life is time. Once lost, you can never rewind the clock. For entrepreneurs, this pressure is enhanced.

Having an idea and a vision for a business requires courage. Launching that business, in a world where many are satisfied with their comfort zones, requires guts. Once you’ve launched the business, the goal is to be consistent. Success is directly related to consistency.

Consistency is the direct result of how you manage your time.

Here are 10 awesome resources on time management that have been recommended by successful entrepreneurs.

1. The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss

This is an awesome resource that jolts everything you’ve ever learned about the time needed to build a successful career. Personally, I was shell-shocked when I first heard of a “4-hour workweek.” At the time, I could hardly get through the typical 9-5.

I read the book and my life has never been the same. I’ve managed to escape the rate race, work less hours, and live life to the fullest.

Joel Bomgar, founder and CEO of Bomgar, had the following to say about the book:

“The productivity principles and philosophy of productivity and effectiveness encompassed in [The 4-Hour Work Week] are powerful. I read it a few years back and it was one of the most life-transforming books I’ve ever read.”

2. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki

This is another fantastic resource that shifts your paradigm and mindset. This book taught me that income-generating assets usually provide healthier bottom-line results than even the best of traditional jobs. This might not always mean millions of dollars in your bank account, but it may give you that priceless time freedom.

Dane Maxwell, founder of an incredible resource called The Foundation – a community of over 60,000 entrepreneurs – had this to say:

“It all started when I read the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad. I’m not a typically really super intelligent guy so I really appreciated the simplistic way that Rich Dad, Poor Dad explained financial wealth. He talked about passive income and not exchanging time for money.”

3. No B.S. Time Management For Entrepreneurs by Dan Kennedy

Being an entrepreneur is tough. You’ve got to set some serious targets upfront. You might not achieve them all, but you have to gun for them.

This book gives you three incredibly powerful tips and targets:

• Self-discipline is the magic power that makes you unstoppable
• Avoid the time vampires that want to suck you dry
• As an entrepreneur, your time is worth $340 per hour

It is impossible to start as $340-per-hour entrepreneur. But, it should certainly be your target as you grow.

Paul Gallipeau, Digital Marketing entrepreneur, has this as one of his highly recommended reads.

4. In Praise of Slowness by Carl Honore

We live in an unnecessarily fast-paced world. In Praise of Slowness advocates for the reversal of a fast-forward mentality and lifestyle. It entrenches a culture revolution against the notion that faster is always better.

For any entrepreneur, this is a must-read.

There are too many opportunities out there. There are opportunities within opportunities. In the midst of all these opportunities, you need to slow down and have a clearly defined vision that will help you avoid growing into a chaotic entrepreneur.

This is a resource highly recommended by Joe Griffin, co-founder of iAcquire.

5. Priorities: Resources for Changing Lives by James C. Petty

This book addresses time management from a spiritual perspective.

I’m a huge advocate for the idea that less is more. I truly believe you can get more done by doing less. The success of this theory all lies in your ability to prioritize. Not everything that screams for your attention is important. You need to proactively ignore things that are not your most urgent priorities.

With this resource, James C. Petty helps bring focus into frazzled lives. Using the “Assessing My Priorities” worksheet, he walks you through the process of organizing time under the categories of God, the people of God, and God’s work in the world. With sound biblical advice and practical applications, this booklet demonstrates ways in which you can reduce unnecessary stress, identify true priorities, and begin to get your overbooked schedule under control.

6. On The Shortness Of Life by Seneca

Recommended by Tim Ferriss, the incredible entrepreneur and author of The 4-Hour Work Week, this resource highlights that we have more than enough time to live our lives to the fullest.

Unfortunately, we waste much of it.

The book teaches how you can live a more fulfilled life by tweaking your perspective on time management.

7. Organize Yourself by Kate Kelly

Shifting your paradigm and mindset is important. That’s the reason why most of these books are geared at changing the way you think about the relationship between time and entrepreneurship. This book is about shifting your thinking about execution. Before execution, you need a plan. You need to be organized.

This book will help you get organized by providing you with essential rules for better time, money, space, and paper management. It reveals a professional organizer’s proven techniques for streamlining daily life. It provides fast, effective methods for dealing with common clutter, along with helping you to overcome procrastination and other organizational ailments.

8. Time Efficiency Makeover by Dorothy K. Breininger

We all are prone to procrastination at some point or other in our entrepreneurial journey. When things are not going quite according to how you planned, it is all too easy to get distracted.

This book will help you to decide whether procrastination is a real problem or if you are experiencing other life challenges. For true procrastinators, this book is filled with step-by-step guidelines on how to stop putting off those home and work projects, unpaid bills, and neglected relationships.You will understand what is holding you back and how to keep focused and motivated on present and future events. A must-read for anyone who wants to improve the efficiency and satisfaction of their lives.

Phil McGraw, an American television personality, author, psychologist, and the host of the television show Dr. Phil, highly recommends this resource and has the following to say:

“These guys really know how to get things set up to maximize your time. They absolutely can create time that seems to come from nowhere.”

9. How Did I Get So Busy? by Burton Valorie

I was once a busy bee and quickly realized that being busy was not necessarily the most effective way to reach my destiny. As the editor at Run For Wealth, a Nike Run Club Coach, and an online marketer, I have to constantly have to find the true balance between business versus productivity.

I highly recommend this resource because it’s a simple and effective way to rediscover your true priorities, shift out of overdrive, and reclaim your life and schedule.

10. Aligned Thinking: Make Every Moment Count by Jim Steffen

Ultimately, we all want to live a fulfilled life. Having a great paradigm shift and being organized means nothing if you can’t make every moment count.

This book, written in the style of a simple fable, helps you to develop practical ways to focus on what’s important now and make the moment count.

Conclusion

As an entrepreneur, you’ll come across many challenges. But, the biggest challenge will often be the issue of using your time effectively – especially early on in your entrepreneurial journey. This is the time when you’ll feel obliged to make everyone happy.

Time is a precious resource. For those who truly understand its value, it often seems like they are living in a cocoon.

You are not living in a cocoon. As an entrepreneur, you are in the minority, but it’s fine. I hope this list of resources will help you find comfort in the fact that being in the minority probably means you are well on your way to a fantastic and successful entrepreneurial journey.

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10 Lists to Keep If You Want to Be Successful

The human mind is truly incredible, and we should all strive towards creating a tenacious memory we can rely on. Many lucrative professions or hobbies require such a trait—actors, musicians, artists and entertainers in general do countless drills, just so the required information can be embedded in the memory with certainty. Clearly numerous doors that lead to a successful future are unlocked if one has a great memory. Although beneficial, it is not an essential ingredient within the success formula—what you lack in memory can always be compensated with diligence.

Keeping track of crucial elements in your life through list-making is still an unrivaled tactic for counterbalancing feeble recollection. By utilizing constant reminders, we can have significantly greater organization, we won’t be under the impression we have forgotten something, and we will have a clear insight into which task has a stamp of immediacy attached to it. Here are ten suggested lists that warrant implementation, in order to track achievements and nurture ambition.

1. List of Goals

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”

—Zig Ziglar

Goals and ambition is what drives us and motivates us, but we need to ask ourselves what is it that we want in order to feel truly accomplished. Your list of goals should consists of all the items that you deem are necessary to truly respect yourself. It can be financial stability, a place you can call your own, starting your family, being independent, etc. People have different criteria when it comes to goals, and this list in particular is ever-growing; it changes as you mature, but it always feels great when you cross something out of it. Without such a list, you lose direction of where your life is heading, and we all need some inner guidance to focus on—a good reason to get up in the morning.

2. List of Tasks

“Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best.”

—Theodore Isaac Rubin

Tasks are actually milestones on the road to goal completion, and these lists have a tendency to become quite copious. New tasks emerge on a daily basis, regardless of whether you are an employee, a student, or a freelancer. Despite the fact that they are arduous, we always have some sense of achievement once the task is complete, or when a certain problem is solved. By avoiding to make such lists and lists of our daily tasks, they’ll simply pile up and eventually become a hindrance.

In the event you have larger tasks that need more than a day, a week or a month before they can be completed, then break those tasks into smaller daily assignments, and put them on the list as well. As long as you monitor larger tasks while completing minor daily milestones, you will have a greater grip on progression and continuous source of motivation. List and sticky notes are actually quite potent tools for increase in productivity, especially while we are working from home.

Lastly, it is worth mentioning that you should also have a list of personal tasks, or tasks you do for the sake of self-fulfillment. These are related to your personal goals, and governing passions—writing a book, painting, crafting etc. These tasks will define you and offer a much greater sense of achievement, so give it your all to create something you can be proud of.

3. List of Contacts

“Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit.”

—Aristotle

It would be delusional to assume you can make it all on your own; however, at the same time, a flawed partnership can result in disastrous outcome as well. It is extremely difficult to find compatible allies and contacts, since friends and family—in other words, people close to you—may not be the best choice for a business partner. If you want to enter into a partnership with someone, make sure the person shares the same vision. Tread lightly and try to ascertain your potential partner’s level of reliability.

Throughout life, we come across skillful, capable and talented people, whose competence might be needed in the future, depending on your line of work of course. Do not be hesitant to offer a helping hand when they are in need, since you can gain a valuable contact. The point being: make a special list of all important contacts, like reliable programmers, handymen, lawyers, etc. Remember not to only reach out when you are in need. You need to maintain a healthy and natural relationship and be there for those people if they require your assistance. Truth be told, it can be arduous to forge strong friendship bonds, but having important acquaintances and becoming an important acquaintance is very much possible.

Without such a list, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to possible future complications; moreover, make sure this list is well-kept since once you lose a contact like this one, it can be somewhat troublesome to recover such data. Just be sure you have recovery data tools at your disposal to mitigate the damage if something were to happen to your phone.

4. List of Expenses

“A wise person should have money in their head, but not in their heart.”

—Jonathan Swift

This may be a quite mundane piece of advice, yet it is very often neglected. As we all know, there are two types of expenses: those that are necessary, (bills, taxes, food) and those expenditures used for indulging some personal cravings. There is a degree of restraint that the majority of us lack in order to approach the matter with a satisfying level of prudence. To say it bluntly, we treat our wants like our needs, and necessities and primary obligations are pushed in the background. Of course, this may sound a bit exaggerated, but the truth is the pressure of a consumer’s culture eventually becomes overwhelming, resulting in a purchase we shouldn’t be able to afford at the time. This kind of behavior can be avoided by utilizing lists, and turning them into an omnipresent reminder of what is truly important.

By making lists of all the monthly expenses we are obligated to pay, we’ll have a clear overview with how much resources are there at our disposal. On the other hand, without this list filled with meticulous calculations, we are prone to believing that we have more freedom to engage in a shopping spree, ultimately causing our bills to pile up; thus, we end up a step closer to a financial suicide. Handling finances properly, or the fact that we prioritize the costs of living, is a responsibility that signifies maturity. Success is commonly measured by the amount of wealth and without adequate spending tactics, you prevent its accumulation.

5. List of Useful Tools

“If you’re the type of person who has to fulfill your dreams, you’ve got to be resourceful to make sure you can do it.”

—Vin Diesel

Today’s society vastly depends on the use of technology—we exchange information, conduct calculations, measure time, etc. This level of reliability also suggests liability. If something were to happen to our cell phone or personal computer, it would be a sizable setback that could harm our capabilities severely. As mentioned, losing contacts can truly be troublesome. It is even worse however, to have your life’s work lost and compromised.

Useful tools are not only limited to recovering damage; they also encompass tools that make your job easier. With efficiency and a greater level of competence, you are a step closer toward success. Using the right apps and tools can make up for our lack of skills in a particular area, or simply help us manage our work in a more timely manner. Keeping a list of useful tools will come in handy whenever you are faced with more common problems, like finding a good restaurant for a business dinner, driving through unfamiliar terrain, task management, learning, and there are even tools capable of helping you recover stolen property.

Even though the list is not as crucial as the ones mentioned so far, it is undeniable that having it can save you a lot of time if the need for it ever arises. The Internet is a vast sea of both useful and useless tools, and by filtering out those that are irrelevant, you won’t have to conduct countless searches when you are in need of adequate tools for problem solving.

6. List of Self Improvements

“The minute that you’re not learning I believe you’re dead.”

—Jack Nicholson

Reasonable to assume this one is unavoidable, and it always deserves to be mentioned. It is safe to assume we are all aware of our shortcomings; if not all of them at least some of them. Think about yourself, make a list of all the things you would like to improve or change, then consider how to implement those changes. Despite the fact that those who are close to you do not pressure you into changing or improving, you should always make constant endeavours to do so, for your own sake.

The list of improvements should consist of physical changes, changes spiritual in nature, abandoning bad habits etc. No one expects you to change entirely in a short time period, but making a decision to change one thing on a yearly basis is a viable resolution, quite easy to execute. The list is there simply to remind you which improvement to prioritize, and build up your confidence after each completion. Refusing to change can either result in lack of confidence and depression, or becoming an overconfident and self-absorbed person that no one will tolerate for long; both of these traits are contradictory to your quest for a successful future.

7. List of Creative Ideas

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

—Waldo Emerson

Throughout history, people who made the most significant impact on the world were those with a revolutionary way of thinking, those who dared to challenge the established order and alter the status quo. For an idea to be classified as creative, it needs to be new, it needs to make sense, and it needs to have some sort of use. For example, creating something to help the disabled communicate online, or simply type—that way, people who have lost their limbs could blog or become creative writers, and show the world a piece of their mind. Thus a keyboard in a form of braces could enable them to type using their tongue; however I am not an engineer, so I do not know whether something like this is possible.

Whenever a new idea comes to your mind write it down, then browse the web to see if you indeed have stumbled upon something ground-breaking. Once your list has grown, then you need to start pondering on the subject to see whether it holds closer scrutiny. Ask for a second opinion and see what you would need to realize your idea. In a majority of cases, this is how successful people are created. Rest assured that it is very possible that people won’t be impressed with your creativity as much as you are, but do not allow yourself to be discouraged—after all, perseverance has a crucial role in a career as well. Monitoring your thoughts incites productive thinking and hones your focus; it keeps our mind occupied. Letting your good ideas slide is only a wasted potential that will put your progress in a halt.

8. List of Future Plans

“The future is uncertain but the end is always near.”

―Jim Morrison

We have all heard statements like “Tomorrow is a mystery,” “Live for today,” and “You can’t affect the future.” Personally, I heavily disagree with such a point of view. Although I do agree that, in particular circumstances, making plans for the future is doing Sisyphus work, not planning it at all seems utterly mortifying. I also believe that everyone makes some sort of plan; the problem is this fear of uncertainty that thwarts our will to act.

To make your resolve more adamant, compile a list of your future plans, see what you need in order to make them come true. This one is very similar to the first list—the one with goals; the difference is, it does not have to involve your personal future. Rather, it is list of upcoming important events, important changes in law, or upcoming trends, useful software, etc. It will keep you well-informed and prepared, since staying updated and relevant are essential virtues for lucrative businessmen.

9. List of Contingency Plans

“You pray for rain, you gotta deal with the mud too. That’s a part of it.”

—Denzel Washington

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, meaning there is nothing you can do without consequences. Every attempt to be more successful usually has a set of barriers attached to it, or risks. Even though risks are inevitable, being prepared for the aftermath is always a good and necessary thing. When you plan your business incentives, or when you plan to invest in something, make sure you compose a thorough pros and cons list, as well as a list of possible negative scenarios. In the event that positive aspects outweigh the negative ones, you can be more encouraged to proceed further.

Make an effort to be constantly prepared for the backlash of major initiatives, and contain the possible damage. The lack of contingency implies recklessness, and it was adamantly made clear how this approach contradicts advancement. Make leaps of faith only when you have no other options to explore.

10. Bucket List

“The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and for deeds left undone.”

—Harriet Beecher Stowe

Finally, learn to live for the sake of experiencing what life has to offer. It is invigorating, to say the least, and it keeps your regrets at minimum. One of the reasons why we want to be successful is to actually fulfil our dreams or complete our bucket list, to look back on our life during old age with a warm smile rather than a frown. Feel free to put even the impossible things on your bucket list, and find the next best thing using your creativity. Whenever you reach a rough patch in your life, take a look at you bucket list and see what is the most plausible thing to do in order to restore your will power and keep going.

The post 10 Lists to Keep If You Want to Be Successful appeared first on Lifehack.

How To Change Negative Thinking Into Positive Thinking

Negative thinking can start a downward spiral — we’ve all been through it at one point or another. At some point, you’ve got to haul yourself up and embrace positivity. Positive thinking can be the cure-all you need to start down a happier path in life. Here are some suggestions to help you out with that.

1. Remind yourself to think positively every day

With hard work, determination, and strength, nothing is impossible. Negative thinking is common, but too often it is harmful to the body, mind, and soul. Each time you have a negative thought, redirect it to a positive channel. Find the positive in the negative. It is going to be difficult, but it becomes easier with practice. In the long run, you will be relaxed more often and enjoy life a whole lot more.

2. Start reading positive quotes

Reading positive affirmations helps give you the motivation you need for the day. It’s time to turn the television off and get reading. It will lift the spirits and help you feel more alive and radiant. If you don’t have an appropriate book on hand, go online and do some Google searches. Or, drop by the library and spend some time among the bookshelves there. You are bound to come up with a ton of quotes to help you feel better. Just get up and be proactive. You will be grateful for it soon enough.

3. Begin meditating and picturing nature in your mind

Picturing nature in your mind helps you feel more relaxed and positive. When you have an internal sense of peace and bliss, you are more mindful of your surroundings. Practicing meditation has been shown to reduce stress, improve calm, and increase happiness and mindfulness. Like anything, it takes continual practice to reap the full benefits. Imagine a calming destination and transport yourself there. You’ll be surprised with how rewarding this can be.

4. Take time to do the things you like

When you start looking forward to something, your mind stays proactive. You feel fully functional. So, plan a day with things that give you real happiness and aid you in your quest to think positively. Life is too short to only do what you are forced to do. Go skiing, travel the world, run with the bulls — do anything that makes you step outside of your comfort zone.

5. Believe that you can change your thoughts

Sometimes, the belief is all that matters. As they say, you can do anything you put your mind to. If you think you can’t change your thinking, then it’s likely that you won’t. However, with a positive mindset, just about anything is possible. Just believe that good things will happen, and things tend to fall into place.

6. Remember that nothing is permanent

Nothing is permanent — that’s one fact that nobody can undermine. If you take the time to truly digest it, it’s a lot easier to start thinking positively. Nothing is set in stone and you can work on changing the things that you are unhappy with. Whether it be your relationships, your health, your professional life — there are things you can do right now to be happier in the future.

7. Embrace the negative and positive

Sometimes, you’ve got to remind yourself that where there is darkness there is also light. The truth is that no matter how hard we try, we are going to have some sort of negativity in our lives at times. Life is a mixed bag. Everyone has there own struggles, and most of us come out unscathed on the other side. Just remember to look for the good in every situation — maybe you’ll be surprised.

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