Category: P365

Awesomeness – what exactly is it and what does it take to be it?

Being awesome is about living the life you are meant to live. It’s all about the confidence, the charisma and the happiness you have, all rolled into a single existence.

So how do you unleash it? Simple. 11 Simple Ways:

Find Passion

What floats your boat? What lights your fire? What makes you happy? What is it that you could be doing, as nothing else matters to you? 
But how do you find passion? Easy. Write down and list everything that makes you tick. Try them until your heart and mind clicks. You will know when you have found it has you will feel it.

Live Passion

Now that you have found it. Live it. But it shouldn’t be some pastime or a hobby you just do when you have the time, passion is something to identify you. You need to live and breathe this in your everyday living. Even if it is in the little things you do. If you have a passion for something, don’t be shy to stand up for it, to embrace and to show it.Passion 24/7.

Healthy Eating

How can you be awesome, if you are feeling disgusted by what you are consuming. Eating well will GREATLY improve your mood, but will also take your mind and body places you cannot go on an unhealthy diet.

Exercise

With a low energy level, how can you expect to be awesome. With no energy you will be lazy, miserable and soon enough a couch potato. By exercising, you are improving your physique (which is awesome), which will cover the area of helping you look good. Which by the way, no makeup or outfit can make you look better than a fit and clean body.

Sleep Enough

If you are constantly falling asleep, due to the lack of sleep – this isn’t very exciting. You should always sleep enough. If you want to start your day on an AWESOME level, you need to be able to get up. Find your sleep routine which you are content with and which enables your body to operate. With a hint of passion you will be jumping out of bed in no time.

Toxicity No More

Your happiness, your mood, your inspiration and your awesomeness is largely derived from the people you surround yourself with. People who put you down, are not the ones who will inspire you and lift you higher into the zone you thrive off. How can you expect to be awesome, if all the people are doing is bringing you down. People who have the best intentions for you, these are the people who will inspire you and help you become AWESOME. (They too are probably awesome). Hang around these folk.

Positive Thinking

Positive thinking, usually helps create a positive life. Optimism is a choice and it is a way to get through the thick and thin of life. What you think is what you get. They are your reality and how you perceive the thing around you. You want to be HAPPY? Well you better start looking on the bright side. Help shape your own reality, be grateful and happy all the time. People will see the excitement and the positive outlook you have and that right there is AWESOME.

Spontaneously Fun

Life is too short to be stuck in a box. Over thinking, can limit our ability to experience, to feel and to live. Yes there is risk in everything. Even waking up and going to work. But risk can be overcome, as you should never be bound by it. Stop worrying about the things that can go wrong and get out there and grow, learn and have some fun. That there is an AWESOME life. Do this and you inspire others – as others like to worry too and you will be the change they need.

Work Already

If you do the work you will have the sense of accomplishment sooner. Finishing and accomplishing a task will always be uplifting and will inspire your happiness to arise. Awesome isn’t it? If you discipline yourself to have a growth mindset (to always be growing) and always progressing towards your goals. Each time you achieve them  you will be leaving another positive mark on your life.

So if you want to be AWESOME, do the work.

Helping Others

Be kind, show compassion and help those who are in need. Helping others will help you stand out. BUT DO IT WITH INTEGRITY. Make the world a better place, but don’t go out of your way to make it a big deal, do it in everything you do. You’re doing it to help, not to look good.

Choose It – Embrace It

You need to choose to be AWESOME. Choose to EMBRACE it. It is a little mode you can toggle on at anytime you want to. The rest will just influence, fuel and grow your awesomeness. By nature and design you are AWESOME. You alone are AWESOME by being you. Will you own it?

Today you have a single mission. A single goal. A single chance to make what you have been putting off for so long, become a new stage, a new era, a new phase, a new start, a new beginning in your life. Today you can take a stand and make your dreams become a little closer to being true. 

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb

But seriously, every time you keep putting something off, all you are doing is just making your dreams drift further away. The excuses you keep running through your head, the excuses of why you cannot or shouldn’t take action, are all just the fear inside of you fighting for control. Take ownership and knock back the fear and dive in. You will be surprised just how capable you are. 

You look around and you see the people with the success, the excitement and everything you have wished and dreamed of… and you want to know why they have it and not you. Why? Because they took action, (maybe they were given it) but most of the time it is the people who made a decision to make an effort to keep on keeping on no matter what, and these are the ones who made it. 

You too can fly, you too can be like this. But remember success isn’t having it all – success is living each day with purpose, with passion and in happiness. 

Seriously! Do one thing today! One thing related to your goals and dreams. Otherwise, I think you should be asking yourself the deeper and real question of – how much do you really want this dream.

However amidst all this,  we can become so overwhelmed by it all, that we have no interest in doing anything, and yes it can be possible to become bored. 

Today I wish to share with you 4 ways you can attempt to snap out of boredom and hit the path to a positive, full of energy and joyful life.

MAKE A DECISION

You are the first and only one who can decide if you want to be more happier. You can choose to be more joyful in life or you can choose to continue to procrastinate and living a comfortable, yet linear life.

When you wake up, make a decision: “Today I’m going to put smile on someone’s face.” or “Today I’m going to take on a big challenge and start eating healthier.” Whatever yours may be. Make it today!

You must have a specific action plan that will move you toward your dream.

TRY NEW THINGS

When we were children, we were always curious creatures by nature. We have wanted to get to know the whole world and what it holds. This is also why children are always so happy, as there daily lives are full of excitement, by discovery and adventure. Even if that is as simple as exploring the kitchen or the backyard. To them it is all new.

However, the older we are, asking questions is becoming more “awkward”, almost rude in the eyes of some people. Today we walk around like sheep to their slaughter. In our everyday life and put a cool mask on our face to not look childishly.

Just expand your comfort zone, activate your brain, raise your heartbeat. But go out and try new things. Be childlike and explore, learn and find adventure.

NEW CHALLENGES

The best way to activate your brain is to challenge and participate in activities that you fear. Overcome these fears and jump in.

You’ll see how much happy, joyful and fulfilled you feel when you overcome your fear. And even if you fail, you can learn from it and do it better the next time.

Remember it will take time to get use to the change or a new environment. But no matter how big your fear is, you must face it to move on and to feel happier and more engaged with life. YOU CAN DO IT.

GREAT CONVERSATION

When we lose all motivation and have no aspiration to do something meaningful, usually the best treatment can be to have a conversation with someone. This could be a stranger (stepping into the area of fear again) or it could just be with someone who helps encourage you. 

When we are vulnerable with people and open up, we will have serious and deep conversation which can usually lead to helping us solve our most common problems. Having someone outside your normal circles can be a great way for new, fresh and clear perspective. The conversation takes on a completely different dimension compared to conversation with family or close friends. (They will probably become your friend anyway)

When you make a decision to bring more joy into your life, when you keep trying new things, when you take on the biggest challenges or just call someone out to have a talk, then you’ll live an inspired life.

What will you do?

We have this idea that the things holding us back is due to external reasons. This ain’t usually the case. Most of the time they’re inside our head and our hearts. I can guarantee you that these are the most common limiting beliefs that keep us from making the progress we have wished for, let alone wished we had even starting.

I’m the first to admit that when it comes to expectations, I am one to set the highest on myself. Usually before my bosses or those directing me. Now this isn’t necessarily the worst thing, but it can be a problem if it starts to hinder your ability to go or move forward. With this in mind, it is also common to take single experiences or circumstances and blow these out of proportion and make the generalization that this is going to be the rest of your life. All this is doing, is harming your confidence and your ability to grow. STOP IT. We also make the assumption that others are seeing how we are not meeting our own HIGH and UNREALISTIC expectations, so we tend to be pulled down… The funny thing is, is they have NO IDEA that you have this expectation, let alone didn’t reach it. So STOP IT.

So what do I say to you?

If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward. – Martin Luther King, JR

Pick yourself up, take these expectations and leverage these into some good old motivation. Maybe you have missed out on hitting your target, maybe you were rejected, maybe you just don’t feel satisfied of where you ended up. Well, the good thing is, you haven’t given up. But before you fall any deeper down the rabbit hole, you need to get up and keep going. Fly, run, walk or crawl – whatever it takes. Keep moving forward.

Stop making the excuses of:

• “I need to have this before I can start”
• “Once this is in order I will start”
• “I am waiting for this or that so I can start”

Whatever the excuses are – JUST STOP using them and JUST START moving forward. Take action. Today!

Successful people build each other up. They motivate, they inspire and they push each other. Unsuccessful people just hate, blame and complain. Find what it is you want to motivate people to do, find what it is you will inspire them to do and find what and how you will push them to do it.

The problem with any journey to success is we become so focused on what we haven’t achieved that we lose sight of what we have. It’s easy to forget about all the progress we’ve made, and be discouraged by all the things in our lives that are going wrong or ‘missing’. But maybe it’s time to start taking pride in our progress. Maybe it’s time that we recognize all the accomplishments we’ve made and the true significance of these accomplishments.

Here are some signs that you may be doing better than you thought you were – see if you can relate to any:

You know what you don’t want 

It can be hard not knowing what you want, as you are always searching for it and it is always on your mind. But the good thing is, because of this you usually know what you don’t want.  It’s okay to discover what you want through finding out what you don’t. You want to be happy, not just content – and you deserve that. Take your time and cross off the things you know which are not going to get you further. I would think, if you look back now and see how far you have come – you have made it here due to making decisions saying no to one thing and yes to another. Which means you’re already aware of some of the things you don’t want. So now just keep identifying these and also taking note of the things you do want.

You take responsibility for your life

We’ve all experienced some form of pain in our lives. Maybe we’ve suffered heartbreak, death of a loved one, financial hardship, or problems with our families and friends. You understand that you can’t change the past but you can change what happens from now on. By you realizing that your future is in your hands, then you’re taking responsibility for your life and what happens to you. Kudo’s to you!

You know there’s more to life than material possessions

You don’t need to buy the latest products to be happy. Likewise, you don’t need the most expensive clothes or house. If you know that happiness doesn’t lie in material possessions, then you’re placing more importance in the relationships in your life. The little things and the sentimental things in life will always be of GREATER value.

You’ve picked yourself up after challenges

We have all been through bumps of rough and tough and we have all climbed mountains that we thought we would never conquer. (more to come…) However, here we are. Standing, breathing and living. You have come so far and you know it. Deep down you know it. Be proud of it. Yes it might still be tough, or it may even get tougher but you can do it. You’re so much stronger than before. You are now ready to take on the next challenge.

You’ve made progress in an area of your life

You may not be the best at a specific skill but you’re trying your best. If you’re making consistent progress, then give yourself a pat on the back, because you’re already heading in the right direction and that’s what matters. This could be with school, work, personally, physically or relational. Whatever it is! Well done chap!

You add meaning to the people in your life

Sometimes, when we’re feeling down about life and all the goals we haven’t achieved, we might forget the impact that we’re having on people’s lives. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE INFLUENCE YOU HAVE. Even if it is silent, someone is always watching you with a close eye and they are inspired and influenced by you. If they have told you this, then you will know you are adding meaning to people’s lives. Even if you don’t realize it, you’re likely adding much value to the lives of others just by being around or in their lives.

You’re striving to become a better person

Life is a learning curve. We don’t need to be perfect. We don’t need to live free from mistakes. If you are determined to improve yourself and to become better, then you are already halfway there. This attitude to life, (to become a better person) will take you far. You may not always be happy – but because of this, you strive to push further, harder and deeper into what you are doing with the intention to become better.

Don’t get mad. Don’t get even. Do better. Much better. Rise above. Become so engulfed in your own success that you forget it ever happened. – Unknown

Procrastination is not a disease, but a mindset, which means it can be changed, trained and controlled. It just takes some hard work and dedication.

If you want change. You need commitment. As with no commitment, there will be little change. So before you attempt changing, evaluate how committed you are at making the change happen.

“You may delay, but time will not.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

With this all in mind here are some tips to improve productivity and keep yourself from procrastinating:

• Give (10+2)*5 a try – The (10+2)*5 simply means 10 minutes work + 2 minutes break multiplied by 5, completing 1 hour. (more here)
• Use red and blue more often – As per Science Daily, the colour red was found out to increase attention to details while blue sparks creativity as noted here.
• Create a break agenda – Don’t sit around and do nothing, plan to do the things and necessary tasks you would not have a chance to do when working or busy.
• Timetable your tasks – Like any other habits, procrastinating is a tough wall to break. Replace this habit with another habit. Timetables! Schedule what and when you will do it.
• Take it outside – Change the environment. Home is comfy, but try a coffee shop, try a park. These have way different vibes.
• Learn to hack productivity – The idea of being lazy is questionable, but if you can learn to fold a t-shirt in 3 seconds… this is more of a saver than being lazy.
• Delegate – If you can outsource, or have someone do the task for your then why not.
• Gadget and gizmo free – In a technological age, putting down the devices for a short period may go a long way.
• Be prepared – take 15 minutes the night before and prepare whatever you can. (pack bags, organize food, task list)
• 10 minute wake me up – Start the day with a jog, or some quick HIIT. Here are some examples: ways you can use a treadmill or 10 minute, no-equipment needed workout
• Mini steps – Big day or project ahead of you? Break it down into smaller tasks, with checklists and even include your coffee break in there.
• Inspirational Board – Use a whiteboard or backboard to have self motivating quotes and a quick reminder of task lists.
• Redecorate/Arrange room –  This will brighten, lighten or enlighten your productivity. Don’t forget the effect of colours.
• Ready the nibbles – Before settling down to smash out a task, have your nibbles prepared earlier, otherwise you will be making stops to the pantry… 
• Lock in chores – Have these scheduled and ready to go. But do it as a ‘2 birds 1 stone’ style. i.e. Folding clothes while catching up on Netflix!

At the end of the day – sometimes we just lack the urge to do or go. Well in this case it may just be better to jump in and get your hands dirty, otherwise you never will…

The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. – Walt Disney

Below is a list of 30 ways you can blast procrastination out the door. You can use all of these, or a range. Regardless, these should help put you back on track.

1. Get up and move – change your scenery
2. Setup reminders – daily, hourly and momentarily
3. Get a motivation buddy
4. Make yourself accountable
5. Create something everyday (Project 365)
6. Wake up early 
7. Go to sleep early
8. Clean and clear as you
9. Cut the cable – get rid of it
10. Screw it, let’s do it – Richard Branson
11. Schedule time blocks – be organized
12. Have a task list – tick off those boxes
13. Have a system – a routine
14. Don’t check your emails (set times to do so)
15. Destroy your social networks (hibernate from them)
16. Time yourself in segments
17. Track yourself
18. Automate anything in your life
19. Create a playlist – PUMP IT!
20. Identify and face your fears – conquer
21. Realize you will never be perfect – be GREAT though
22. Become mindful – be aware
23. Set daily goals
24. Take a break when required (scheduled)
25. Stick with tools – stick with what you know and works
26. Entertain yourself – reset the mind
27. Work less – play harder, follow your heart and dreams
28. Have some quiet time (daily)
29. Don’t settle – you can do better
30. Focus on your Strengths – (Strength Finder 2.0)

I have found that our biggest hindrance is motivation and confidence. When you are wanting to do something, something which is going to make an impact whether it is an impact to you or someone else – we can become a little overwhelmed or fearful of the idea of “What if I fail?”

Well what if you do fail. What if you don’t. If you do fail, who will actually know? I mean, if you have told people well of course they may know, but if you don’t, then the only person you have to prove yourself to is you. Now I can understand, you may set the standard high, or the expectations even higher, but it is you. We are our own worst critics. We are our worst enemies. Get over yourself… you will fail sooner or later and I would think it is better to fail privately than it is to publicly. That may come too… but if you can handle failure from your worst critic (YOU) then you basically can handle anything. Seems legit right? Well that’s because it is. What is even funnier is it is really that simple.

All you need to do is start something today, even if it is planning how you will start tomorrow. Any good project will have an exceptional planning period and whatever your goal is, is just another project.

I say screw failure. Let it come. Otherwise, the longer you wait around for something to be right and to be perfect, this is never going to happen. I am sorry to scare you or even surprise you. But this is reality. People may seem like that have it all, but I can promise you there is something in some area in their life which isn’t as glamorous as the one they are showing. Why? Because we are human.

So I challenge you to get out there and MAKE IT HAPPEN. As it is your dream and your goal so it is all dependent on you. But feel free to ask for help along the way. As I noted before our biggest hindrance is motivation and confidence and this derived from the fear of failure. So how do we increase our motivation and encouragement…

Yep you guessed it. Look and see what others are doing and find the inspiration to motivate you from what they are doing. Secondly, speak and work with others. Maybe you are trying to do too much as a lone wolf. Maybe you are thinking you can take on the world single-handedly… Well maybe you can one day, but right now you are a growing youngster who has more TALK than ACTION. So find a buddy, find a mentor, find someone who is going to inspire, encourage and motivate you through the thick and thin. You can even have more than one. Just do it.

There you have it. You have literally less than 4,000 hours of this year, in which the longer you wait the harder it is going to get to CONQUER whatever it is you want to accomplish this year. Don’t make the same mistake you have made before, making the year not what you wanted. Make 20165 the year you rose to the pedestal and made an impact. More so making an impact on you.

Just think about it –

excuse – an explanation offered as a reason for being excused; a plea offered in extenuation of a fault or for release from an obligation, promise, etc.

With this all in mind, we tend to continue to make excuse’s, which actually keeps limiting us of who and what we are.

Ever heard, or recall saying “I’ll be so happy when X happens”

At the core, we tend to believe the pursuit of “X” will solve our deepest problems. When really all we are is infected with the deadliest disease of all. 

The “I will be happy when” syndrome.

This is ridiculous; following a life of chasing an achievement after achievement saying that completing each one of these will make you happy and content. Yes it is GREAT that you are pursing these goals and I say continue to do so, but don’t let it consume your ability to live happy. You should not have to be something in the future, or somewhere in the future to be happy. What about now? Why can’t you be happy now?

I have a challenge for you…

BE HAPPY TODAY.

Be content with your life, with what you have. Stop trying to fill your gaps within you, with outward success. A job, a person, a promotion, a house or winning the winning the lottery will make you happy, but they will never heal or cure the disease of being unable to be happy now.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Why am I chasing this? 
• Why do I believe achieving ‘X’ will make me ‘Y’?
• And the harder question, Can I be happy without them, or it, or that?