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| Motivation Information |
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Instant Willpower
We've all heard people say "I have a system". Ever since I was a little girl and watched my mother put together a grocery list, I've known -- and used -- the power of systems. Systems help take the frustration out of daily living. They help you do what you WANT to do in an easier, more consistent way. A system practically does the work for you. You don't have to over-think it, you don't have to spend time figuring it out. It pulls you forward when you are tired, when you would probably just throw in the towel and give up. It's Instant Willpower because it makes things easier. Let me share some simple every day systems that I use to give me Instant Willpower. #1. "Are these dishes clean or dirty?" That was a constant question in my house. I tried the clean/dirty dishwasher sign, but we always forgot to flip it over. Now a small custard dish stays in the dishwasher all the time. When the dishwasher runs, it gets full of water. When someone puts up the dishes, they simply empty the water in the dish, and put it back. Once glace full or empty tells you if the dishes are clean or dirty. You already have a lot of systems in your life. Some of your systems work great, others not so well. For example, in college a friend of mine got in a bit over her head, and discovered that she had more money going out than she had coming in. When I asked her how she decided what to pay, she grinned and said that she got them all in a pile, then threw them up toward the ceiling, and whatever stuck, that was what she paid. Considering all the late notices I was seeing, obviously, not a good system. Now that's a silly example, but I mentioned it in order to stress the point that jst because you currently have a system, doesn't mean it's doing what it's supposed to do. A good system is one that creates an environment that lets you be your best self. #2. I'm never going to enjoy working out. It's just not my style. Over the years, I've tried many different activities, machines, gym memberships, you name it. I really want to exercise because I like the health benefits it gives me, but it's a challenge for me. It was very easy to talk myself out of going to the gym (I could come up with a million excuses), or even walking to the bedroom to use the expensive piece of equipment I had dirty clothes hanging on (you too?). I began to look for a system that would pull me forward, help me use that machine, help me go to the gym instead of making it far too easy to wimp out. Now, as a caveat, let me say that I 100% believe in making a commitment to yourself and sticking to it. But we're human, after all. Sometimes we need that external force to help motivate us. I decided to budget some money towards a personal trainer. (I could either buy a new couch, or try out the trainer, and quite simply I made a conscious decision to clean the couch and hire the trainer.) The trainer comes to my home 2 times a week at a predetermined time. I could of course call him and skip my sessions. But he's paid in advance, he's ready and willing, and for whatever reason you want to call it, just knowing that he's scheduled is enough to get me into my tennis shoes and meet him with a smile on my face. He's my system. He's my instant willpower. A system set up correctly either pulls your forward to do what you want to do, or sort of "forces" you to do something that may not come very naturally. #3 If you are trying to stop overspending at the mall, and you always use your credit cards, make a conscious effort and simply stop carrying them. That's a strategy or a system for finding a way to stop spending for things you don't really need, but may find it difficult to overcome in the moment. Some people have a "24 hour rule", in which case they never buy unless they sleep on it. In the case of the credit cards, it will at the very least make you go home to get your cards, then return, which will give you time to think about it and make a conscious decision to overspend. Systems work for things that you even love to do, but tend to let get pushed to the side by other more in-your-face things in your life. For example, #4. I love to read, and my type of work demands that I read a lot. But because of that, I found that over the years reading for simple pleasure (mysteries are my choice) had fallen to the side. I joined a local book group, where you show up once a month and discuss a mystery book that the group has decided on. It gives me a target, and makes it easer to do something that I might otherwise let slide. Take a look at your systems. Are they working? Or are you throwing the bills onto the ceiling and seeing what sticks. Try some Instant Willpower! It works About The Author Kathy Gates is a Professional Life Coach in Scottsdale Arizona. What is Life Coaching? It's Your Life, getting easier, happier, more joyful every day! Learn more at www.reallifecoach.com for products and services and sign up for her free newsletter
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I have to admit, I love them too. I love the neat story with a happy ending. They make it look easy, in spite of the pain and hard work many of them have to endure. People have always had this fascination. It's no different than the old shows (and I'm dating myself here) like Bewitched, where Samantha, who was a witch, would just twitch her nose and, Voila! her house was clean as a whistle. To go even further back, there was a very popular show called The Millionaire, where a mysterious benefactor would come anonymously with a check for a million dollars and transform someone's life. Todays Trivia I received an email today that said I could: "Make 500-10k from your living room," which I find to be an amazing claim, seeing as how I'm here, in my living room, making whatever hourly rate it is I charge for whatever it is I'm doing at this moment, and yet the living room itself is of no help in this regard. I could be making money in another room altogether. I could be, assuming my cables would stretch that far, in my bed inputting numbers into my laptop and still be making money. (Believe me, it sounds like far more fun than it is, and is not nearly as profitable as one might think.) Hello! It Is Opportunity Calling! If I knock at your door hold your hand take you towards the road to fortune would you come? If I tell you that I can guide you and point to you where the wealth lies, would you go? Action vs. Self Delusion Knowledge fueled by emotion equals action. Action is the ingredient that ensures results. Only action can cause reaction. Further, only positive action can cause positive reaction. 7 Great Life Lessons From Tsunami Survivor As I am writing this article, the world is shaken by the tsunami that hit Asia on 26 December 2004. It is only now that we start understanding the greatness of the tragedy. Action vs. Apathy - Feeling Powerless? Get Moving! How many times have you felt truly defeated by the circumstances in your life? 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Digital Mobile Phones suddenly give new meaning to taking photographs and all those gimmicks from James Bond Movies have long since been incorporated, accepted and forgotten about in daily life. Ignite Your Life! Where have you come from this past year? What have you accomplished? Don't like the answers? Wish you had better ones, more fulfilling ones? You can - just one year from now! After the Big Project: Recovering From Success My older daughter got married 10 days ago. The wedding was a joyous and extraordinary experience, way beyond our imaginings. I am deeply happy about all of this, and feel strongly validated by the whole experience. Decide Where do you want to be in a year? In five years? In ten years? Is what you are doing now -- the way you are living, your friends, your habits, your focus -- Are all of these things moving you in the direction of your goals? How does it look?
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