It is far too easy to fall into the belief that being busy somehow creates productivity. When you look at it from the outside, keeping yourself busy often gives the false impression of advancement, intention, determination and emphasis. The facts are that being busy has no inherent value.

If you are not busy taking action toward the life you desire for yourself, more than likely you are spending this time distracting yourself. I know that is what I have done in the past. I even catch myself doing it now from time to time. We keep ourselves so busy that we don't even have the time to see that we are avoiding the situation all together.

However, when you are serious about taking the steps to move your life in the right direction you WILL make time to reflect, learn and apply. The first step is to take an honest look at whether your actions, time and energy are in alignment with the vision you have for your life. Then, you will need to “look under the hood” to see what's really driving you.

Four keys to success in this area are:

• Make time daily to  do a personal check-in for 5 minutes.

• Were your actions in line with your vision?

• Were your actions the best use of your time?

• Finally, take your own advice and keep doing more of what works and do less of what does not work!

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!

originally posted October 7, 2013

I know that that for years in my life I found it far too easy to believe that being busy somehow generates productivity. When you take the time look at it from the outside, keeping yourself busy often gives the false impression of improvement, intent, strength of mind and importance. The facts are that being busy really has no fundamental value.

If you are not busy taking action toward the life you wish for yourself, it is more than likely you are spending this time distracting yourself instead. I know that is what I have done in the past. I still catch myself doing pursuing busy over productivity from time to time. Many times, we keep ourselves so busy that we don't even have the time to see that we are entirely avoiding the situation.

However, when you are serious about taking the necessary steps to move your life in the right direction you will choose to make time to reflect, learn and apply. The first step is to take an honest look at whether your actions, time and energy are in alignment with the vision you have for your life. Then, you will need to “look under the hood” to see what's really driving you. When was the last time you gave your life and oil change? Or, perhaps it is time for a complete overhaul. Either way it starts with small, steady simple steps. Like an infant we need to teach ourselves to walk all over again. Remember, slow and steady always wins the race!

Here are five steps to success in this area are:

• Begin by taking time daily to do a personal check-in for 5 minutes.
• Ask yourself: Were the actions you chose actions in line with your life you desire?
• Then ask yourself: Were your actions you chose the best use of your time?
• Next, take your own advice. After all who knows you better than you? Continue to do more of what works and do less of what does not work!
• Finally, enjoy your new life!

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get things done when you feel inspired? In fact, studies have shown that when you feel inspired it is actually easier to see more clearly what can be done. It is the positive emotions, those that raise your courage, fuel the fires within and vastly increase your idea making.
Truth be told, the more you make the choice to actively build your excitement for life, the easier life tends to flow. This is one reason that it is so important to make positive inspiration an essential part of your daily routines.

Positive inspiration provides that surge of energy that helps you to focus and look inside yourself for those inspired thoughts and ideas. That positive inspiration literally breathes life into your vision, with a positive and enriching new energy. It not only connects you to what is possible, it helps to even the weight and allow for the thoughts to flow in a more “easy to handle” manner. Like with any life changing routine, the more you develop it the easier it is to find.

• Start today by making a list (make it thorough) of who and what inspires you.
• Re-read the list and see how you can make use of that positive inspiration. Take notes and write down any inspired thought that comes to mind, no matter how trivial you might think it is.
• Take action on one inspired thought at a time. Remember these are to be positive uplifting actions that benefit you and your internal psyche.
• Then, choose to make use of these positively inspired actions every day!
• Finally, watch the difference you make in your life and in others!!
  

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!

Everyone has a sense of inner wisdom that helps to provide that truly inspired sense of direction when we actually take the time to listen. I like to call it intuition. Others might call it gut instinct or even full brain functioning.  

Whatever you choose to call it, there is no denying the value it provides. Sadly, like me, most of us see its true value most clearly in hindsight, after we have ignored the subtle nudging it provided. It is those times when we find ourselves saying “why didn't I follow my gut?”.  

Make the time to tap into your inner wisdom and start strengthening your innate, decision-making abilities. By following w well known practice you too can begin to trust your intuition and discernment. Go ahead, give it a try this week and see the difference it will make for you!

• Begin by identifying a question where you would like more clarity.
• Then, close your eyes, calm your thoughts and become fully available.
• Remember to focus your attention on your breathing to help you calm your thoughts.
• Now, direct your full attention to the question and begin to look at the possible directions you are considering!
• You should pay close attention to the feelings or images that begin to surface as you consider each of the directions. Be sure to write them down!
• Here is the fun part. Keep track of your life’s experiences and start to see how often following your inner wisdom, your intuition, pays off for you!!

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!

Have you ever had one of those days when life can feel like a series of never ending tasks? I know I have! For me, it was like I moved through each task awaiting the next. All the while, I was hoping to find just a second to catch my breath.

Oddly enough, catching that quick breath is exactly what I needed. In fact, those three quick breaths helped even more than simply pushing through. Best of all, this will work for you too!

Taking a strong deep breath helps to release the daily stress(es) that deplete your energy, lessen your productivity and stomp on your happiness. Not to mention, it just feels good too!

You will find it amazing just how quickly three deep breaths can get you back on task. It is important to understand that there are several studies that show the innate benefits showing that conscious breathing works. However, when you experience the benefits for yourself – then and only then will you see the difference it makes in your own life.

Choose to make it a daily routine to begin and end every day with three strong, deep breaths. And…don’t be afraid to use this technique throughout the day as well.

1. First, take a breath to become aware – close your eyes and feel your breath moving in and out, nice and slow.
2. Second, take a breath to focus – keep your eyes closed and feel the calm, still balance return to you.
3. Third, take a breath to find a new beginning – still, with your eyes closed, feel that deep connection to your surroundings. Renew by anchoring in on the moment and stabling your emotions. Life IS good, you ARE good, things WILL be better! Feel the breath and the stress leave your body.

Remember, life can ALWAYS BE BETTER!