Category: P365

If you had asked me years ago to go for a run – I would have giggled and said to you – keep dreaming. Yet here I am today and I can honestly say as a runner that Running is the best thing I have started doing and included in my busy schedule. Now with over 2,000 km’s ran I can say, I believe running is for everyone. Being skinny, obese or fit, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t have to be 10 km’s to consider ourselves runners, but 20-25 minutes of running for beginners is quite good. Running is a tool to ignite and restart the body and mind.

Running is beneficial in every aspect:

• It is beneficial for overall health; it can raise the levels of good cholesterol;
• It can boost our immune system and it can help in every way, literally.
• Running can help us lose weight. Actually running is the second most effective exercise considering burned calories per minute. First is cross-country skiing.
• It act’s as a ‘positive drug’ giving you a sweet torture to your body, followed by a joyful experience

4 Lessons You Can Adopt From Running (you should run to feel this for yourself):

You Should Never Underestimate Yourself

“It’s not who you are that holds you back. It’s who you think you’re not.” – Denis Waitley

Fauja Singh is 102 and is believed to be the world’s oldest runner. Since taking up running, aged 89, he has run nine full marathons. Singh retired from competitive races in February after completing a 10K race in Hong Kong. But he still jogs every day in east London. He talked to Nadeem Badshah about what running means to him and how he keeps himself in shape. If this amazing man can do it – so can anyone else. Running can make us self-confident and boost our self-esteem. The experience in achieving a goal is widely known. Simply by the fact that we set and achieve a goal (to run 30-35 minutes or run 6-7 miles or roughly 10km) we feel much happier and empowered.

Runners Meditation

Our brain is relieved from bad thoughts and it is forced to think of our left-right legged frequent steps. Although it feels automatic, the brain is forced to give commands to every part of our body. By the fact that it gives commands to the body and makes symphonically perfected movements, it is relieved from the aberrations accumulated from everyday life. After only a few minutes of running, the brain starts to relieve hormones that naturally improve our mood. One of them is the endorphin or so-called “feel-good” chemical.

The Accordance of Body & Mind

Imagine as the body argues with the mind that he is always a pessimist. The mind always hurts the relationship between them and the body always wins the argument. The best way to see body and soul as one is with running. It’s the balance between the physics and psyche. If we lurk a bit inside the process of running, we can conclude that by the process in the physical world, the body forces the mind to make ourselves feel good. By doing the movement of running, the body drags the mind’s attention away from the negativity and, in a positive way, forces the mind to produce feel-good chemicals.

“The Feeling”

Since we deciphered three of the codes, “the feeling” is the outcome of all three. It’s the feeling when we stop, when we stretch, eat a banana, and get a hot, steamy shower. While we are busy torturing our brain to release feel-good chemicals, we get prepared for the final feeling. I call it “the desert”, except its not physical cake or something sweet. It’s like feeding the brain with the cake without touching a spoon.

We cannot explain how being in love feels or how being drunk feels. We can’t explain “the feeling” either, but we can give a pretty good example of how to get to it. GO RUN.

The 4 Lessons You Can Learn From Running originally was written by – NIKOLA GJAKOVSKI
Nikola Gjakovski is an International Marketing Manager. Dog’s lover, Spa Center owner, Healthy Food Store owner, ex kick-boxer and adrenaline junkie. His passion is motivating the individuals to make this world a better place. He discovered his talent through his life experience all over the years. You can meet this guy at www.simplecapacity.com

Photo Credit: Instagram: Photo by @_clfurlong_ | Location: Melbourne, Australia

Take a moment today, take a chance to re-evaluate who you are and what you are gunning for in life. What’s your passion? Humor me for just a moment. I don’t care when it is today – but take a chance. What if I told you that you could live a life, in which you ruled the timing, you worked when and how you wanted. You didn’t have to take orders but make your own path. What if you could do anything or everything you have ever wanted to do and you would never have to worry about money again? Sounds too good to be true right, while at the same time you are thinking WHERE DO I SIGN UP or WHERE DO I START. Well if you are thinking one of these, or maybe you are simply curious… I dare you to read on…

So before you can have this amazing new lifestyle you need to do two things.

1. Go through a process of SELF-DISCOVERY. It will be the best lesson you will ever learn.
2. Get a pen and paper and ask yourself a bunch of questions (listed below) and see your results.

From there, you can take a blueprint, a plan or food for thought and have something to move forward with. You can take action and actually start working towards a new lifestyle design. So let’s do this.

1. A process of self-discovery.

– original article by Isamar Avery

Sometimes we find ourselves so totally lost, like you are following the path that has been designed for you, but you have no control or say, like a puppet, and still find yourself in the middle of nowhere without a map or compass to guide the way, or a mobile to call home. That is what life is: a paradoxical Bermuda Triangle. You have no one but yourself as a resource to stay afloat. (you do have God – don’t ever doubt it or him. Want more info on God? You can ask me about that anytime)

We spend the best years of our lives going to school to learn how to be something. After learning that something we go into a life long career to pay a mortgage or to be a cog in a machine, with a big dream to one day hit it big…. but with no plan on how you will. In the real world, books won’t lead you out of the woods. You can’t look for answers in the dictionary, and a map will never lead you where you ought to go. They can guide you but the answer comes down to the discovery of the self and how it is the most valuable lesson you were never taught.

Here are 8 Self’s you need to get to know: (read full article here)

• Self-taught

• Self-aware

• Self-drive

• Self-worth

• Self-realization

• Self-trust

• Self-hate

• Self-love

2. #askyourself

Finding your passion is never an easy process – but one way and a way which reveals the most is through pen and paper and your mind. So go grab some paper and write down these questions and get your mind in the right place for this process.

1. Make a list of things that you are good at. Skills and strengths. For example, are you good at sports? List the sports you’re good at. Other examples: reading, writing, filing paperwork, algebra, running, driving, caring for animals, etc. List any and all skills that you have.
2. Make a list of things that you enjoy. Things that are fun for you, or that you are passionate about. Anything at all…animals, reading, playing games, exercising, celebrities, helping people, algebra, etc. List any and all things that you enjoy doing and/or are passionate about.
3. Make a list of careers that you could pursue using the things from BOTH lists. If you like animals, you could list things like “veterinarian” or “animal shelter worker”. If you are good at math, you could list things like “math teacher/tutor”, “computer science”, or “finance”. Make a list of careers that you could pursue using either your skills, or your passions.
4. Now look at your first two lists and ask yourself: is there anything that you are BOTH good at AND enjoy doing? If so, you are lucky! Not everyone has a skill that they also enjoy doing. Look at where this specific activity fits into the third list you made of possible careers. Ask yourself, is this activity something that you would like to pursue as a career? It can be very enjoyable to do something you love for work.
5. If there is NOT something that you are both goods at and enjoy doing, don’t worry! Many people are in this situation yet are still able to live happy fulfilling lives. You’ll just have to think a little harder about what you want your future to be like. If this is the case, here’s what to do next:
6. Choose something from your lists to try. You cannot find out what you want to do without trying some things, especially when you are young and have less experience. The more experience you have, the more you will learn about yourself, your abilities, and what you want out of life. So choose a few things and pursue them as best you can.

If you are not sure what to try, here is an answer about passions and strengths that might help you to narrow it down: How do you get to know your passion?

Still, don’t know? Have a look here: How do I discover my passion?

Want a book to read about it? –  $100 Startup: Reinvent The Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love and Create a New Future by Chris Guillebeau

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~ Mark Twain 

Photo Credit: Instagram: Photo by @barefoot_islandgirl | Location: Ko Phangan, Surat Thani, Thailand

In a fast-paced society keeping up with it all, staying sharp, on point and being ready for anything will be the last thing on your mind or it is something your working day to maintain. What if I told you there are 5 yet simple important ways you can sharpen your thoughts and bring your mind and its engagement levels to a new level. It’s not rocket science to hone up your brain power. In fact, there are some really simple steps by which you can sharpen up your thoughts to a great extent. Here are the tips for you to stay sharp:

An Active Body

An active lifestyle enhances blood circulation throughout the body and energizes the brain to think stronger & deeper. It does not mean you have to burn sweat like insane; just a daily 20 minutes of brisk walking would be fine to keep you sharp. However different exercises work for different people. I have found getting out for a HIIT Sprint for 2km will get my mind back on earth, refreshed and ready to rumble!

Organize The Data

Your brain loves order & it gets tougher for it to remember things if there is severe lack of order. Thus, you must take time out to organize the needed data so that it gets easier to recall in a proper meaningful way. More complex is the subject matter, more important is the organization.

Challenge Yourself

This is one of the most important things when it comes to sharpening up your thoughts. If you are too much into playing safe & keeping the brain in comfort zone, you would soon be losing out on your mental edge. The brain gets lazy in too much of comfort and hence you have to stimulate it from time to time with new challenges. So, never be scared of plunging into the new projects or campaigns in your company. Take a growth mindset and see what you can do, see where you can go.

When you have two good options, always go with the one that scares you the most, because that’s the one that’s going to help you grow. – Unknown

Brain Exercises

There are some typical exercises that supply the needed stimulation to your brain which in turn helps to hone up your thought process. It could be solving a maze or a crossword puzzle or a game of scrabble. You can even take out your old high school math book for a practice session as math problem solving is one of the best exercises to stimulate your brain power. The main point here is to keep your brain proactive, energized, sharp and alert.

Read Well

The more you read better would be your thought process and perception. So, develop a reading habit and take an interest in reading whatever falls on your hand. It could be a magazine or the daily paper or a book or some journals and so on. You have to nourish your brain with information from various sources which will help it to develop a rational, knowledgeable mindset & perception. Need some new books to read – check out these recommended books.

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We all have lessons to learn. So why not learn from the best? Known as the greatest basketball player of all time – if you’re not already aware… Jordon is so much more than a world-class athlete. Many qualities and skills together with a powerful mindset are needed to become that good at something, to reach the top of a career and to stay consistent with it. He is a role model, has inspired generations, and is the reason many people fall in love with basketball. He managed to unleash his full potential and is an example of success, action, and ambition.

Here are 10 big lessons we can all take from Michael Jordon:

1. He accepts failure

“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something.”

2. Always try again

“…But I can’t accept not trying.”

3. Practice daily

“I set another goal…a reasonable, manageable goal that I could realistically achieve if I worked hard enough. I approached everything step by step.”

4. Take action

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”

5. Enjoy the game

“Enjoy every minute of life.”

6. Let go of expectations

“If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome.”

7. Be dedicated

“He didn’t miss games. He played hurt, with pain, when he was sick. He came out and performed at an intense level. I don’t think anybody ever went away disappointed after watching Michael.” – Phil Jackson

8. Be humble

“There will be a player greater than me.”

9. Stay focused on your goals

“The game has its ups and downs, but you can never lose focus of your individual goals and you can’t let yourself be beat because of lack of effort.”

10. Leave fear behind

“Limits, like fears, are often just an illusion”

Everything in life is possible. We just need to have a definite desire and take action upon it every single day.

Photo Credit: Instagram: Photo by Sarah Crutchfield on Unsplash| Location: Unknown

As we draw closer and closer to the end of the year either you are becoming more and more motivated to achieve, to conquer and to keep on keeping on. Or, you are losing your motivation to push on… Well, if you are feeling like you are unmotivated, here are some quick tips to get you back on the motivated game and back on track in no time:

1. Remind yourself of your Why! When you feel like quitting, think about why you started it in the first place.

2. Do it for your family, mates, and fans. You have started your journey to doing what you love. Along the way, people are starting to follow and engage with you. You don’t want to let them down.

3. Find inspiration. Find people with the same journey and connect. Bounce ideas and do this together!

4. Stick to The One. Whenever I feel unmotivated it’s because I have too much distraction that’s going on, I lack clarity, or I am putting too much pressure on myself to deliver. Pick one goal and make it your focused priority.

5. Put on your favorite music playlist. Music does wonders!

6. Share your Goal with People. As human’s we don’t like to lose face when we’ve committed to doing something. Help them keep you accountable.

7. Shine among the Doubters. In the end, you have got to believe in yourself. And the bonus is shining among those who never believed you could.

8. Mind Your Own Business. Remove distractions and get into some scheduled time which is just for you.

I will breathe. I will think of solutions, I will not let my worry control me. I will not let my stress level break me. I will simply breathe. And it will be okay. Because I don’t quit. – Shayne McClendon

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If you’re on a mission to build a dream which can be made a reality – then you will know that the journey is full of ups and downs and that the only way to really get there is to keep in keeping on to simply say the least. But to be clear, there are 7 points or more so truths and realities everyone must face during this journey and if you cannot get through them, then you need to buckle up for a long ride ahead… 

In the journey to living your dream you will find:

1. It’s not always fun
2. You have to keep pushing
3. There will always be struggles
4. Sometimes you have to settle
5. It can overwhelm your life without you realizing it
6. You start to wonder if this is what you wanted the whole time
7. Once you reach the top of the mountain, you keep going and keep climbing

Based on the above – even when you get to your destination of fulfilling your dream (the top of the mountain), you should have a plan for something more… There is always a new level – a new goal, a new achievement. This life is not meant for those who want to be happy with little. No matter what – the minute you decide you are satisfied is the minute your dreams start to slow down. Look for new dreams and realize that though this is hard – it is always worth it. Remember a dream doesn’t need to be a lifestyle change. 

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs.  Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go and do that.  Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” -Unknown

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Today I have a challenge for you to understand the ideas and to appreciate what you have for your current season of life. Ask yourself what ideas you have about life that are currently not being met. You may not answer this – but the most common answer is usually to ‘find work that you’re passionate about and have friends who care about you’. If this is something you also want then continue reading. 

Firstly, you should try accepting the reality and find the goodness in the present, rather than comparing your present life to an ideal life. The comparison and the ideals can cause dissatisfaction. The reality isn’t so bad if we let go of the ideals and just see the present moment as it is. If you take the time to look at any moment, even uncomfortable ones, you will find that there is a lot to be curious about, a lot to appreciate, a lot to discover and love.  I’m not suggesting you give up your ambitions and aspirations. It’s only difficult when we attach too tightly to them, and then we can become unhappy with the present. I’m suggesting you loosen the attachment to these ideas, turning to the present to appreciate it and that getting to know what’s in front of you is better.

Once you do this and accept what’s in front of you, you reach a place of peace.

Either way, you take action towards your aspiration, but it can be either from a place of dissatisfaction (and wanting to change something crappy) … or a place of acceptance and peace, and wanting to do something good for yourself (or others).  As a high level, here is how you can take action in regards to this:

1. Notice your dissatisfaction.
2. Notice your ideas that you’re holding tightly to.
3. Loosen your hold on these ideas, and turn to the present moment.
4. Really see the present moment with curiosity, find something to appreciate.
5. Accept the present moment completely, with love.
6. From this place of peace, respond, take action. It might be an aspiration, or not, but it’s a response from a good place.

“However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. Where there’s life, there’s hope.” – Stephen Hawking

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Today will either be another day to fall on a good day or a bad day category. Well, that’s how the majority will see it anyway and it is all determined by you.

How about we make today something more than just category of good or bad. If it is bad, then why is it bad? What has defined it or limited to being bad? Get real and ask yourself what has made the day so bad that the whole of it should be discarded. Have another think, have another look and see what you can learn and possibly grow from. Just because it didn’t go your way, doesn’t mean the day should be all that bad or at least defined as it. Try finding 3 things great, positive and encouraging from each day. Before you go as far as turning your attitude sour and discarding the day. Every day has a lesson, every day has a chance to be better than what it really is. It is all about attitude, perception, and choice.

With this in mind – let’s not make today just a good day, but a day bigger, better and greater than before. You can make it so much more than it is if only you look, work and take action in doing so. Yes, it is great to have a good day… But once again what is making it good? What is the meaning behind it and how it can that be utilized to empower another day or each day forward? Ask yourself!

Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is going to determine how you’re going to live your life. – Joel Osteen

A change will never happen without everyone being receptive to other opinions, ideas, and viewpoints. Each one of us only has our own way of looking at any situation, and that perspective comes from our life experiences. Listening and expanding our own perspectives is how we become better human beings and create a better place to live.

Photo Credit: Instagram: Photo by Nathan Anderson on Unsplash | Location: Unknown

Passion is never simple. Actually, reality suggests passion can one of our greatest challenges! As we grow closer to the end of the year – yes you should be still finishing off your goals or going above and beyond. But you should also be in the mindset thinking and preparing of how 2017 is going to look for you. What new goals, what new passions will you be chasing? So with this all in mind today I wish to remind you and challenge you, that you are CHASING your passion. I think this is one of the most important elements of your life and the sooner you realize it the sooner you will be happier than ever before. Your dreams are at stake. If you have never really dazed off into dreamland, I dare you to do it. The longer you hold back – the longer and the harder it will be to take the dive. 

Take a moment to just dream of the things you want to aspire for. Not just the goals for next year or goals you have already accomplished, but the years ahead. What do you want your life to look like? Are you going to stick with the same? With the old? Are you going to be part of something you don’t even enjoy?

If you don’t have a dream to work for than who are you actually working for?

Is it possible to follow our passion and make a living? Ask writers from J.K. Rowling to Zadie Smith, filmmakers from Steven Spielberg to James Cameron, artists from Jeff Wall to Tracy Emin, musicians from Adele to Will.i.am, sportspeople from David Beckham to Usain Bolt. No matter what the industry is there will always be someone out there living their passion. The funny thing is, following your passion can even potentially pay much more than the traditionally esteemed jobs.

Here is a list of the top regrets of those on their death-bed:

“I wish I had lived my own life rather than how society taught me to live.”

“I wish I discovered my purpose earlier.”

“I wish I had taken more risks.”

“I wish I had taken better care of myself.”

“I wish I’d allowed myself to love.”

“I wish I had touched more lives and inspired more people.”

“I wish I had been a better partner or parent.”

Now if that list doesn’t prove why following your passion is a need, not a desire, then nothing will!

So today’s challenge is to ask yourself…

What do you want to be saying at the end?

The only thing required for a dream. Is a determined heart.

Follow your dreams, your passions and see where your heart takes you.

If you do what you love, you will always love what you do.

Why are your dreams at stake? If you are not willing to put in the time now, to invest in yourself in picking up the slack and really working to achieving your goals. How can you expect yourself to get to these dreams if you not willing to do anything about it, let alone a subset of it?

The characteristics, the skills and the motions you learn, develop and put into action from achieving short-term goals, are all going to play a HUGE part in the long run.

Think about it. Is it worth it?

I think so.

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