Experienced Personal Training, Evidenced Based Nutrition and Intelligent Conversation!Posts RSS Comments RSS
The strategy of avoiding bad news is certainly one way to remain positive, but it’s also another way to become a part of that same bad news – ignorance isn’t bliss. For the majority of us, it’s better to stay aware and fully engaged in current events as a form of “real-world” education and then to apply for ourselves what we’ve learned in order to stay safe, appreciative and thankful.
Comments Off on Ignorance Isn’t Bliss!
Our society does not hold “Self-Control” in high esteem… we simply let emotions and instincts (impulses) rule our day. We busy ourselves with the latest distraction and we seek the next short-lived stimulation, only to return to our minds of discontent. If we’re to take a course of action that’s truly independent, that will lead to enduring satisfaction in our lives, we must practice self-control. When we practice self control we make better decisions and experience fewer mistakes, now that’s certainly worth the effort.
Comments Off on Self-Control!
Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else?
According to distinguished journalist Geoff Colvin, both the hard work and natural talent camps are wrong. What really makes the difference is a highly specific kind of effort-“deliberate practice”-that few of us pursue when we’re practicing golf or piano or stockpicking. Based on scientific research, Talent is Overrated shares the secrets of extraordinary performance and shows how to apply these principles.
Comments Off on Finished Reading: Talent Is Overrated
What determines the quality of our lives (in regards to a positive or negative experience) is learning to effectively control the thoughts and emotions associated with any circumstance. Thoughts can create emotions and emotions can create thoughts… meaning either variable can be controlled in a positive and constructive manner or a negative and destructive manner. The choice is ours…
Comments Off on We Create the Negative or Positive Experience!
Our capacity to change and improve is remarkable as human beings… at any age and at any present ability we can markedly strengthen the weakest of individual characteristics. Growth and development only require four essential things: (1) Self-awareness of our present limitations (2) Motivation to improve them once acknowledged (3) Insight and instruction to advance from our current status (4) Deliberate on-going practice and application of that newfound insight and instruction. Any personal shortcoming can be elevated to a personal strength with deliberate practice and motivation.
Comments Off on Remarkable Potential!
Currently Reading: Emotional Intelligence 2.0
Comments Off on Finished Reading: Emotional Intelligence 2.0
One important aspect of “Self-Awareness” is understanding what works for us… and what doesn’t work for us.
For instance, willingly exposing ourselves to a situation (or personality) that we know brings out the worst in our emotions, is a good example of poor self-awareness.
We can either learn to control the negative emotions associated with the aforementioned experience and follow through with it, as a result of this new found control, or simply make the definitive decision to side step the experience altogether in order to remain emotionally stable and intact.
Understanding our strengths and weaknesses is an integral portion of being self-aware.
Of course your current weaknesses don’t have to remain weaknesses, but you have to be able to acknowledge them before you can improve them.
Comments Off on Self Awareness!
When one of the big three negative impulses (Anger/Irritability, Depression/Sadness or Fear/Anxiety) rears its ugly head… simply consider the initial automatic impulse in your mind, without physical reaction, and then allow your thoughts to guide the emotion to it’s proper responsible conclusion. Emotional skillfulness doesn’t come without self-awareness (being honest with how you are feeling and why) and plenty of practice in directing the powerful emotions we are all subject to daily.
Control your emotions, control your thoughts… and you control your life.
Comments Off on Emotional Skillfulness!
Everyone knows that high IQ is no guarantee of success, happiness, or virtue, but until the discoveries of modern brain researchers, theorists could only guess why. Daniel Goleman’s fascinating report from the frontiers of psychology and neuroscience offers us startling new insight into our “two minds” — the rational and the emotional — and how they together shape our destiny. Beginning deep in the brain, Emotional Intelligence shows us the exact mechanism of an “emotional hijack,” when passion overcomes reason. Through vivid examples, Goleman then delineates the crucial skills of emotional intelligence, and shows how they determine our success in relationships and work, and even our physical well-being. What emerges is a crucial new way to talk about being smart. The final chapters reveal the possibilities — and limits — of “emotional literary,” as it is taught by both parents and educators. The book concludes with a compelling vision of what true emotional intelligence means for us both as individuals and as a society.
Comments Off on Finished Reading: Emotional Intelligence
An old Japanese tale:
A belligerent Samurai once challenged a Zen master to explain the concept of heaven and hell. But the monk replied with scorn, “You’re nothing but a lout – I can’t waste my time with the likes of you!” His very honor attacked, the Samurai flew into a rage and, pulling his sword from his scabbard, yelled, “I could kill you for you impertinence!”
“That,” the monk calmly replied, “is hell.”
Startled at seeing the truth in what the master pointed out about the fury that had him in his grip, the Samurai calmed down, sheathed his sword, and bowed, thanking the monk for the insight.
“And that,” said the monk, “is heaven.”
The message:
Control your thoughts and emotions and you control your life.
Comments Off on a Japanese Tale!
This company sells a lot of healthy, great tasting, breakfast products; all with great ingredients to boot! Check many of their products out at Trader Joe’s. I’ve been enjoying their “Flax Plus Raisin Bran” this week! If you like Raisin Bran you’ll love this cereal! http://www.naturespath.com/
Comments Off on Nature’s Path Organic Products!
The deepest and richest development of a human being has very little to do with specialized knowledge, the type of knowledge that schools generally focus on and careers require of their employees, and more to do with critical thinking skills, good judgement and the ability to think independently of others. These personal tools and assets don’t come naturally, so don’t deceive yourself… they must be learned, practiced and utilized daily.
Comments Off on Is “Specialized Knowledge” Enough?
