Thought For Today - August

[bluidkiti]

Watch the Clock

Ever find yourself watching the clock? We need to check the time if we’re going to get things done, get somewhere on time, measure our progress, stay on track.... But more often than not, watching the clock is a sign of boredom, it’s a distraction, and it sure doesn’t make time go faster.

To stop the habit of watching the clock:
- Watch out for how often your eyes wander to the clock
- Find a better way of keeping track of time
- Develop interest in what you do and time will fly
- Get on with what you need to do and make the most of your time.

[bluidkiti]

Expressing your Sympathy

It is hard to know just what to say to someone who has experienced a loss and is grieving.

Do you worry about finding the right words to express your sympathy? Sometimes just a few simple words can communicate that you care, whether in a card, an email, a text, a phone call or in person. And maybe what matters more than words is that you’re communicating from the heart.

[bluidkiti]

The Hurdles in your Life

Life often puts hurdles in our way. Some are higher than others, and some just look too big to get over. But don't get overwhelmed and definitely don't give up at the first hurdle. Instead, believe in yourself and figure out how to overcome life's challenges and obstacles. Then, launch yourself and leap over the big and small hurdles.

What will you do to ensure that you’re able to leap over the hurdles in front of you?

[bluidkiti]

Image in your mind

When stress starts to take its toll, or when you need to take your mind off things, here’s an easy trick: Create an image in your mind that's relaxing.

Imagine a view from a tree house, visualize the moonlight on the ocean waves, picture a lavender field, or think of that tranquil scene from your last holiday. Use a relaxing image to replace the stress or to distract your mind, and you'll soon start to feel relaxed

What image relaxes you?

[bluidkiti]

Out of your Social Comfort Zone

Are you comfortable doing social things alone? Well, as fun as it is to spend time with other people, it's as healthy to enjoy doing fun things alone. Doing things alone offers you the space to have your own experience and the freedom to do what you want when you want.

So, come on, step out your social comfort zone and explore things all by yourself, a movie, a concert, a meal... And if you feel self-conscious, acknowledge it, and work through it. Become more comfortable doing fun things alone and you'll also appreciate the time that you do spend with other people.

[bluidkiti]

August 6

Refresh Your Focus

All through the day, our focus of attention is in constant demand and overused. So the next time you think, 'can't focus,' it might be a good idea to take a few minutes to relax your focus.

Here's a quick exercise: Drop everything from your focused attention. Let your focus of attention become as light as a feather. Let it drift on the breeze and float in the air. After a few minutes, let your focus float down through the air and gently land, just like a feather.

Relax and refresh your focus, and then continue with the rest of your day.

[bluidkiti]

August 7

You and Your Insecurities

Almost all of us have feelings of insecurity. But do you know what they are?

Ask yourself: What makes me feel insecure? Why? Are my insecurities valid or are they irrational? Am I picking holes where there are none? What's really behind my feelings? Do I need to make self improvements? Be more trusting? Be more confident?

Know your insecurities and then figure out how to overcome them.

[bluidkiti]

Feel Good About Yourself

Our reactions are often a reflection of how we feel about ourselves. When we don't feel good about ourselves, we're more likely to take things personally and react negatively.

On the days you don't feel good about yourself, take a few moments to focus on the goodness within. Focus on the good and, little by little, the goodness will slowly filter through to your thoughts and feelings.

Do something to feel better because when you feel good about yourself and you're more likely to respond positively.

[bluidkiti]

Just Like A Tea Bag

Just like a tea bag colors the water with flavor and fragrance when you put it into hot water, in the same way, the next time you're in 'hot water,' be like a tea bag and colour your world with positive attitude and action. That is, allow the situation to bring out the best in you and make an impact on everything around you.

[bluidkiti]

Why Limit Your Interests?

Sewing, painting, gardening... The number of hobbies and interests we can indulge and engage in are unlimited. But do you limit your interests? Is it because you have too many interests and don't have the time? Well, you can always pick one thing and explore it for a few months, and then move on to explore another interest.

Now, do you limit your interests to things you already know or are interested in? Why not try new things. It may broaden your horizons, perspectives and experiences.

Limit your interests and you limit yourself. So, develop new and varied interests, it'll make you interesting.

[bluidkiti]

The Slow Motion Effect

Watch something in slow motion and you'll notice things in more detail, notice things you normally wouldn't.

So, if you're living life at a fast pace, how about slowing down to create a slow motion effect. Every now and then, intentionally slow down. Slow down and you'll take more notice, be more aware, and give your mind a chance to calm down and relax.

[bluidkiti]

Making Collaborations Easier

No matter how capable and creative, effective and extraordinary we may be, it's when we work together and collaborate that we can accomplish something altogether greater. This is the spirit of collaboration.

Collaborations do make things easier but do you find collaborations easy? Maybe collaborations are most effective when we acknowledge our weaknesses, then we can leverage our strengths, complement other people's strengths and compensate each other’s weaknesses.

How do you make collaborations easier?

[bluidkiti]

August 13

A Little Too Vague

Ever find yourself being vague in your communication? Is it because you assume others are on the same wavelength as you? Or because you're not sure of all the details? Or you're too busy to explain? Vague isn’t easy to understand. It makes others misinterpret or second guess you.

Take the vagueness out of your communication. Get clear about what you want to say & then speak to be understood. But saying that, there are times when it's useful to be vague. Times when less information is more, times when we don’t want to hurt people’s feelings, times when being vague with certain people can limit their interference in our life.

So get clear about when to be vague & when not to be vague.

[bluidkiti]

August 14

Who Rules Your Life?

Who rules in your life? People, circumstances and events... your past, present, future... the economy, the weather... your health, your emotions...?

Shift responsibility to someone or something else and you’re saying you have no control over your life; you’re a puppet to something or someone else’s strings. Do you really want someone or something else to rule your life or do you want to take control? It’s your life, take responsibility for it.

[bluidkiti]

Want It Now

We want everything now! 'Now' is our motto. There’s nothing wrong with wanting things or making things happen – now, but because we can get anything we want, now, there’s less patience involved. This means that we’re not very good at waiting.

Next time you have to wait and start to feel impatient, count to 5 and be in the now. Now a) get more realistic about how long things take, and what goes into getting what you want, now, and b) Breathe and think, 'less now, more patience.'