Kimmy B.

The 4-Hour Work Week- Chapter 10

2011-06-25T12:48:00.001-07:00

I finished chapter 10 this week. I sigh as I think about business and how life affects business. The 4-Hour Workweek is all about business so that you can live. I am defnitely doing more living but there is even more to do. This week's chapter is about testing the muse and I have definitely been testing mine.

I have learned a lot these past few months of being in business and have new model that is definitely more scalable and profitable. I am looking forward to the transition over the next few months.

When you are working in your business and getting things set up, ask yourself how you can make work easier. Work and business is important but so is each aspect of your life. I don't expect for things to be perfectly balanced but I do look for ways to make things more manageable across the board.

Unitl Next Time,

Kimmy B.

Where I'm at with The 4-Hour Work Week - Developing a Muse

2011-06-12T10:25:00.001-07:00

I just started a wonderful book today called the Renaissance Mind (I don't advise it but I usually read two books at a time). The Renaissance Mind is for people who have many different interests and passions and need a framework for designing their lives and careers around the varying intrests.

This book is ideal for someone like me. I've stopped denying myself the enjoyment if indulging in my interests. When it comes to muse creation, I've created a muse list if you will and am simply repeating the same steps for each muse. Some muses will remain hobbies while others will become income producers. This is the strategy that I've taken. I no longer have the knwaing "but I want to...) in the back of my mind because I am doing...or have plans to do.... in the futre.

I am at the point now with this process where I am not completely convinced that I'll be doing my standy job anymore. I've been supporting myself and funding my dreams by working as a security officer. While patiently waiting to receive my guard licence for NY, I've been wokring on my muse. I'm starting to generate enough icome that's making me question whether or not will pursue a guard job once the state finally processes my license.

It feels really great to be at this point in the process. I'm executing another income prodcuing project this week and am looking forward to seeing how everything goes. I'll be sure to blog about my results!

Kimmy B.

Outsourcing My Life - T4HWW

2011-05-29T10:01:00.001-07:00

I am so happy. This week has been my most efficient week yet! I was able to get a lot done and received some payments from clients also. I have been transitioning into my new life on the East Cost for about two months. I am headed back to my evening job because I'm still a baby-entrepreneur but I did great this month. My first month out of the gate I profitted about $500 from my interent-based business. I'm happy and excited about the income I'm getting from my night job because I'll be able to put that money back into my business.

This week I read about Outsouring Your Life and hiring a Virtual Assistant or VA in the 4-Hour Workweek. I can say that I am at the point where I need an assistant and will be exploring this over the upcoming months. It's been really great learning how to master my own schedule and hack it to make it effctive and manageable on my own without an assistant. It's important that I know how to be effective so that I can guide my assistant and show him or her how to be effective as well. This has been an interesting chapert in my life.

Having an assistat is going to make my life easier and more profitable. I look forward to using the suggestions Tim Ferriss outlines in The 4-Hour Wokweek. I've also been told that Philipines are great for virtual assistants and am probably going to explore thiis or hiring someone here in the states when I employ an assistant.

If you have had any experiences with Virtual Assistants please share your experiences by commenting below.

Here's To Your Business Success!

Kimmy B.

Facebook & Local Marketing Consultant

Being Productive v. Being Effective, from the 4-Hour Workweek

2011-05-22T15:01:00.001-07:00

Being Productive v. Being Effective from the 4-Hour Workweek

After reading about distractions and interruptions in the book this week, I considered all the things I have put in place since my initial listening of the first edition of the book:

-I have shifted to consciously focusing and acting on things that are important to my goals and day to day life. I don't spend hours rotting away in front of the t.v. like I used to. My life is so full of what actually matters now that I very easily go days without watching t.v. I used to work with the the t.v. on and now I find that it actually slows me down. I have 1-3 shows I watch during a season versus 1-3 for every night of the week.

I didn't make this shift over night, it was gradual. How badly do you want it? This is the question that helped me make this and other life-changing shifts.

-I've been experimenting with sleep. I know that 7 hours is all I need to feel rested and energized. I've also had to function on a lot less due to my work schedule in the past. This week I am implementing two 5 hour days (the minimum I need to function) to see if that will help me get more done. With commute, the dishes, meditation...life and everything that makes up my day, I'm able to actually get 3-4 core things done each day. This is great but I still have a more to do. Re-training my body to wake up early has been life changing. I used to be an 11 A.M. girl, not anymore. I usually get up between 6 and 7 now.

-I am also exploring my business model so that I can choose one that is less time consuming and more profitable. I think I've found a solution and will begin the shift over the next few weeks.

These are just a few things that I am already implementing or will be implementing over the upcoming weeks since this week's reading. I am so glad that I am taking the time to re-visit this book at this point in my journey because my perspective and focus are completely different than they were before.

Kimmy B.
Facebook & Local Marketing Consultant
www.TheLocalMarketingInsider.com

What I Am Doing To Make Money From Home

2011-04-18T08:39:00.001-07:00

Concept from the 4-Hour Workweek- The Timing Is Never Right

2011-04-17T12:34:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to share my responses to a few things that I read/listened to this week from The 4-Hour Work Week

Tim Ferriss says...

"Less is not laziness."- This is a concept that I have had trouble with because I love being engaged and involved in what I am doing. For me, the real question has been, if you're going to do this, are you happy? I'm not interested in having a completely hands-off business. I simply want multiple income channels that are flexible and allow me to create my own schedule. This is my definition of living life on my terms. That being said, I am exploring aspects of my life that can be outsourced or automated so that I can focus on the areas of my life that bring me joy. This is the reason why I am pursuing income channels that allow me to create my own schedule in the first place.

"The Timing Is Never Right"- Truer words were never spoken. I am moving to New York City on May 2nd. This has been a dream since childhood and I am happy to say that I am finally taking the plunge. One of the reasons why I didn't do it last year when I originally planned is because the timing wasn't right. I don't know how true that actually is but I do know that more opportunity is present in my life for this dream and that I am having a much easier time with accomplishing it than I was last year. By simply taking small action steps, I was able to shift the energy around this dream and make it a reality. In a few days I'll be creating this post in NYC (I am still in awe of this). There are plenty reasons why I could postpone the move because of "timing" but who cares. When is it "time" to actually take action? The only time that truly exists is now.

The concept of "the Positive Use of Free Time"-My whole life in New York is designed around this concept of doing what I want as opposed to doing what I am obligated to do. In terms of business, I find myself looking for opportunities that give me a certain element of freedom. What I want is flexibility. I want the ability to work as little or as much as I want to. I want a certain level of mobility and location independence. To me, the opportunities I am pursuing are fun (this is very important to me as well) but non-work related activities are also important. I see myself taking dance and music classes in addition to finally learning conversational Spanish during my "non-work" time. I see myself eating a lot and taking the city in. I am so excited!

The concept of "Eustress"-Tim Ferris defines this as, "stress that is helpful and the stimulus for growth." I have had to use this tool to make my move to NYC feasible and easy. I don't have time to sit around watching television. There have been quite a few parts and pieces to focus on during this transition like where I'm going to live and which income channels I am going to pursue. It's been challenging because I'm interested in EVERYTHING I've had to use eustress to get myself to focus on a few things versus the hundreds that my mind wants to explore. I still haven't found a cure for my wandering mind but I have learned to contain it. There's a book called the "Renaissance Mind" that is scheduled reading for May. It's for people who love to explore but need to remain productive at the same time. I'm hoping this will give me some ideals on how to better manage this trait. It's been a blessing because it's led me to people like Tim Ferriss but at the same time it can be a hindrance when it's time to actually get things done.

How has being "realistic" or "responsible" kept you from living the life you want?- Being "realistic" prevented me from realizing that I wanted to go into business for myself instead of work for someone else. Being realistic prevented me from moving to New York when I was 18. Being realistic has prevented me from living the life of my dreams and beginning the chapter that I am currently starting. I've found that it is not so much about being realistic as it about making the possible or "dream" a reality. I've taken practical steps to get to where I am at. This is a system that I am using to create success in all areas of my life and will be using for the rest of my life. It's hard to put in words, all I know is I will never tell myself that something isn't possible again. I will simply focus on what I can do to make it possible.

Warmth,
Kimmy B.

**Please note that I am listening to the audiobook and reading the hard cover edition. If something is a little different, it may be due to this reason.

Here's To Getting Out of My Own Way

2011-04-07T15:21:00.001-07:00

If I don't make money or do what I need to do, I can't blame anyone else but me. I have made a vow not to opt in for month. Instead, I'll be opting out. No more download this and read that. It's time to apply, apply, apply. I have launched a business as a local marketing consultant. Another thing that I have done is chosen to select a specialization. I am specializing in Facebook promotion. Yes there will be a little video and a little seo thrown in the mix but I am primarily focusing on designing Facebook fan pages, content creation, and promotion for my clients.

I've decided to that I want to eventually build a practice around Real Estate agents. I just sent a quote to a perspective client in this niche. I am promoting myself and charging what I feel comfortable charging at the moment. Once I've built up my reputation in about six month's time I will increase my fees and expand my service offerings (by then I will have hired account managers).

My vision for my own personal lifestyle design includes having multiple streams of virtual income and living it up in New York City! I am moving to New York City on the 2nd and so far I have 3 clients. I'd say I'm doing pretty good so far!

Kimmy B.

f acebook.com/LikeMissPositivity

Positive thinking: Reduce stress, enjoy life more - MayoClinic.com

2011-03-30T15:45:00.001-07:00

Positive thinking: Reduce stress, enjoy life more

Positive thinking helps with stress management and can even improve your health. Overcome negative self-talk by recognizing it and practicing with some examples provided.
By Mayo Clinic staff

Is your glass half-empty or half-full? How you answer this age-old question about positive thinking may reflect your outlook on life, your attitude toward yourself, and whether you're optimistic or pessimistic.

In fact, some studies show that these personality traits — optimism and pessimism — can affect many areas of your health and well-being. Positive thinking also is a key part of effective stress management. Positive thinking doesn't mean that you keep your head in the sand and ignore life's less pleasant situations. It just means that you approach the unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way.

With all this in mind, take a refresher course in positive thinking. Learn how to put positive thinking into action in your own life, and reap the benefits.

Understanding positive thinking and self-talk

Self-talk is the endless stream of thoughts that run through your head every day. These automatic thoughts can be positive or negative. Some of your self-talk comes from logic and reason. Other self-talk may arise from misconceptions that you create because of lack of information.

If the thoughts that run through your head are mostly negative, your outlook on life is more likely pessimistic. If your thoughts are mostly positive, you're likely an optimist — someone who practices positive thinking.

The health benefits of positive thinking

Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include:

Increased life span

Lower rates of depression

Lower levels of distress

Greater resistance to the common cold

Better psychological and physical well-being

Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease

Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

It's unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. One theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body. It's also thought that positive and optimistic people live healthier lifestyles — they get more physical activity, follow a healthier diet, and have reduced rates of smoking and alcohol consumption.

via mayoclinic.com

This article is fantastic! I can really testify to this in my own life. I no longer have this high level of tension that I used to have. Developing a positive thinking mindset has really helped me become a more effective problem solver. I am not saying that the problems aren't there, they just aren't as troublesome as they used to be.

Here's to Your Health!
Kimmy B.

The Power of Positive Thinking and Attitude

2011-03-18T19:54:00.001-07:00

The Power of Positive Thinking
By Remez Sasson
Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits into the mind thoughts, words and images that are conductive to growth, expansion and success. It is a mental attitude that expects good and favorable results. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action. Whatever the mind expects, it finds.

Not everyone accepts or believes in positive thinking. Some consider the subject as just nonsense, and others scoff at people who believe and accept it. Among the people who accept it, not many know how to use it effectively to get results. Yet, it seems that many are becoming attracted to this subject, as evidenced by the many books, lectures and courses about it. This is a subject that is gaining popularity.
It is quite common to hear people say: "Think positive!", to someone who feels down and worried. Most people do not take these words seriously, as they do not know what they really mean, or do not consider them as useful and effective. How many people do you know, who stop to think what the power of positive thinking means?

The following story illustrates how this power works:
Allan applied for a new job, but as his self-esteem was low, and he considered himself as a failure and unworthy of success, he was sure that he was not going to get the job. He had a negative attitude towards himself, and believed that the other applicants were better and more qualified than him. Allan manifested this attitude, due to his negative past experiences with job interviews.

His mind was filled with negative thoughts and fears concerning the job for the whole week before the job interview. He was sure he would be rejected. On the day of the interview he got up late, and to his horror he discovered that the shirt he had planned to wear was dirty, and the other one needed ironing. As it was already too late, he went out wearing a shirt full of wrinkles.

During the interview he was tense, displayed a negative attitude, worried about his shirt, and felt hungry because he did not have enough time to eat breakfast. All this distracted his mind and made it difficult for him to focus on the interview. His overall behavior made a bad impression, and consequently he materialized his fear and did not get the job.
Jim applied for the same job too, but approached the matter in a different way. He was sure that he was going to get the job. During the week preceding the interview he often visualized himself making a good impression and getting the job.
In the evening before the interview he prepared the clothes he was going to wear, and went to sleep a little earlier. On day of the interview he woke up earlier than usual, and had ample time to eat breakfast, and then to arrive to the interview before the scheduled time.

He got the job because he made a good impression. He had also of course, the proper qualifications for the job, but so had Allan.
What do we learn from these two stories? Is there any magic employed here? No, it is all natural. When the attitude is positive we entertain pleasant feelings and constructive images, and see in our mind's eye what we really want to happen. This brings brightness to the eyes, more energy and happiness. The whole being broadcasts good will, happiness and success. Even the health is affected in a beneficial way. We walk tall and the voice is more powerful. Our body language shows the way you feel inside.

Positive and negative thinking are both contagious.
All of us affect, in one way or another, the people we meet. This happens instinctively and on a subconscious level, through thoughts and feelings transference, and through body language. People sense our aura and are affected by our thoughts, and vice versa. Is it any wonder that we want to be around positive people and avoid negative ones? People are more disposed to help us if we are positive, and they dislike and avoid anyone broadcasting negativity.
Negative thoughts, words and attitude bring up negative and unhappy moods and actions. When the mind is negative, poisons are released into the blood, which cause more unhappiness and negativity. This is the way to failure, frustration and disappointment.

via successconsciousness.com

What are some examples of when you let your negative thoughts get the best of you? How has thinking positively served you?

Tip: Watch the Secret or Read the Book to hear real-life examples of the power of the mind and how it affects our lives. Thoughts truly do become things.

Follow me on Twitter @KimmyBess

Deva Premal and Miten - Gayatri Mantra

2011-03-18T15:02:00.001-07:00

via youtube.com

I actually use this mantra as a part of my daily meditation practice. Deva Premal's recording is really beautiful and available online here. This mantra has really helped me to gain clarity and remove blockages that were slowing me down and preventing me from making progress.
Here's a translation and meaning of the Gayatri Mantra courtesy of www.omgayatri.com.

Translation

Om bhoor-bhuvaH svaH,
tat-savitur-vareNNyam,
bhargo devasya dheemahi,
dhiyo yo naH prachodayaat.

Interpretation

'O God, You are the giver of life, the remover of pain & sorrow, the bestower of happiness; O Creator of the Universe, may we receive Your supreme sin-destroying light; may You guide our intellect in the right direction.'

Do you have a special prayer that you use during meditation? If so, please share in the comments below!

Positive Psychology News Daily » What is the Lifespan of Positive Psychology?

2011-03-15T14:31:00.001-07:00

What is the Lifespan of Positive Psychology?
By Jeremy McCarthy on March 8, 2011 – 8:32 am

Jeremy McCarthy, MAPP '08, is the Director of Global Spa Operations and Development at Starwood Hotels where he is responsible for spa development for all of Starwood's hotel brands. Jeremy is applying positive psychology to the customer experience in spas and hospitality. The Psychology of Wellbeing is Jeremy's blog. Full bio.
Jeremy's articles here.

Biased view - Crazy hill of San Francisco
Positive psychology was created to address an overwhelming bias in the psychological and social sciences towards a deficit based approach to mental health. The science of psychology, which was focused on the cataloging and treatment of mental disorders and weaknesses, was not spending a sufficient amount of time and attention on human flourishing and strengths—the positive side of the equation.

By looking at mental health with a different kind of perspective, one based on prevention rather than treatment, on flourishing rather than illness, and on strengths rather than weaknesses, positive psychology has given us a new vocabulary to use when analyzing human wellness. This was the theme of Martin Seligman’s address to the APA in 1998.
A New Bias?

Another Biased View?
But there are some who argue that while positive psychology has done right to address an existing bias, it does so by introducing a new bias, one that underestimates the value of negative emotions, and does not do enough to address the clinical needs of its consumers.

Critics of positive psychology such as Barbara Held argue that positive psychology creates a false dichotomy, presuming that the positive and negative aspects of well-being should be categorized and studied under different umbrellas, rather than via a more holistic, integrated approach.
Some say that positive psychology discounts the importance of negative emotions and overlooks the potential downsides of positive mental resources. Being too optimistic for example, can make someone do things that are imprudent. Some even go so far as to say that positive psychology is guilty of sloppy science. Rather than scientifically trying to understand well-being, they claim it presupposes that positive aspects are good and then sets about trying to prove these preconceived notions.
Has Positive Psychology Served its Purpose?
In spite of these criticisms, I think most people agree that positive psychology has indeed served an important role in correcting the science’s existing bias towards the negative. The question becomes, once this bias is corrected, does positive psychology simply fade away, leaving a more holistic, balanced and integrated psychology behind in its stead? Or will we always need this new domain to keep us from lapsing back to our focus on the dark side?

Alex Linley
Some psychologists, for example Alex Linley and colleagues, have suggested that positive psychology should not live on forever. It will have served its purpose by recalibrating our perspective on mental health in a way that takes the positive aspects into account.
Articles by Ingram and Snyder and by Maddi suggest that an integrated approach that blends the perspective of positive psychology with other existing areas of research would yield the most useful applications.
But Alex Linley, who had previously argued that a successful positive psychology would quietly disappear after nudging psychology into a more balanced approach, recently indicated that positive psychology had passed a tipping point and would be around for quite some time.
What Shape Does the Future of Positive Psychology Take? Three Views

Paul Wong
Paul Wong, a psychologist who focuses on the study of meaning and purpose, calls for the creation of Positive Psychology 2.0, a more integrated approach that is not only focused on positive traits that yield positive results but also understanding how negative traits can bring about positive outcomes and how positive traits can sometimes be harmful.

From Wong’s perspective, positive psychology will live beyond simply a corrective mechanism to fix our imbalanced science if it focuses on answering the ultimate questions of what makes life worth living and improving human flourishing, although others might argue that all science should have this goal and therefore this does not in and of itself distinguish positive psychology from other aspects of the social sciences.

Todd Kashdan

Michael Steger
In their new textbook, editors Michael Steger and Todd Kashdan take a critical look at the state of positive psychology today. They caution that positive psychology’s narrow focus on increasing happiness doesn’t take into account individual differences in goals and values and is diametrically opposed to a broader definition of well-being based on mindfulness or psychological flexibility. In their view, the simple tools, singular variables, and rudimentary measurements used by positive psychology today are too static and fail to capture the complex circumstances and individual differences that are important to well-being.

Steger and Kashdan also warn positive psychologists that the demand for applications is powerful, but can pull the science to market before it has been adequately validated. They caution scientists in the field, who by their nature want to spread their research quickly to make an impact on the world, to consider how their work could be misused. A part of positive psychology’s mission has to be about educating the public on how to understand the limitations of the science.

Jeanne Nakamura

Mike Csikszentmihalyi
One of the founders of positive psychology, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, joined with his colleague Jeanne Nakamura to took a fresh look at the possible future of the field in the first chapter of the same book.

Nakamura and Csiksentmihalyi feel there are those who would like to see positive psychology move towards a single unified theory of human flourishing. Others would like to see a balanced, integrated psychology. They propose a third alternative that is probably the most realistic, that positive psychology will remain as an area that draws people to rally around a shared purpose. And while there is energy around that purpose, the domain will grow organically. As he describes it, positive psychologists will continue to hold dual citizenship with one foot on the positive side and one foot in a more traditional area of psychology.
They also sound optimistic about the continued growth and expansion of positive psychology, at least in part driven by the unique nature of the science. An emphasis on strengths, positive emotions, relationships, hope, and a sense of purpose not only creates interesting and previously neglected areas for research, but research findings also give these specialists greater psychological tools to create their own successes in developing this growing field. These virtues might not only be core constructs at the foundation of a new science, but could also serve as the fuel that will propel it into a brighter future.

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via positivepsychologynews.com

What do you think? I'm drawn to PP because I know and understand the power of strengths-based thinking and techniques. I also believe in addressing weaknesses and areas on "the dark side" as well. I'm seriously considering pursuing a MAPP and possibly going for a doctoral degree in psychology as well.

Focusing On One Goal at a Time Equals Success

2011-03-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

What Does Success Look Like to You?

I was so happy when I realized my biggest obstacle had been "planning to plan" and not taking any action. Once I realized I needed to take action I hit the ground running. It has been great. I've been able to accomplish things on a small and large scale that I wasn't able to accomplish before. That being said another lesson I've had to learn to accomplish this is focusing on accomplishing one goal at a time.

For me right now this means focusing on my career and drastically increasing my income. I am implementing the steps from the 4 Hour Work Week to do this. It's really easy to get bogged down when you have too much on your plate.

How about putting some of that mental food into a to go box? I read a really great blog post courtesy of Zen Habits (link) and Life Learning Today (link). They suggest listing your goals in order of importance and going down the list focusing on one goal at a time.

One thing many people do is make plans to accomplish their goals and then forget them. I've overcome this by affirming that the individual goal I am focusing on has already been accomplished. I suggest doing this each day as a part of your mediation practice.

What's the most important goal on your mental to do list? What's the first step you can take to accomplish this?
Living Life in HD,
Kimmy B. @KimmyBess on Twitter

The 7 Extraordinary Benefits of Rising Early | Wasabi Burger

2011-03-02T18:22:00.000-08:00

Enjoy the sunrise

“Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy wealthy and wise.”
- Benjamin Franklin

* Ring! * ah, !@$&%*(!!!!

I’ve always been terrible at waking up early. As soon as the alarm went off, I would hit the snooze button faster than I could think about hitting the snooze button. I hated waking up early, I felt too tired, too groggy. I had tried many times to become an early riser, only to fail every single time. As I mentioned in my previous posts, because I was a night owl, I always felt best after the sun went down. Being a night owl may not have been such a problem if my work schedule fit my natural sleep patterns, but I was expected to be in the office at 8am which made for an entertaining morning sprint out the door every single day!

Fortunately, I was able to overcome the night owl chronotype by studying and experimenting with various theories and creating an effective method of early rising. After many attempts and many failures, I was able to re-create myself as an early bird. I currently wake up at 5:00 am and since creating the habit, I have personally seen a marked decrease in procrastination and solid improvement in my punctuality. If that’s not enough to convince you to wake up, here are a few more gifts waking up early will award you with.

1. Enjoy the quiet morning serenity

I used to enjoy the quiet times late at night, but I feel that the quiet of the early morning also has much to offer. Absorb the serenity of the morning with its cool fresh air while most are still fast asleep. This is a great time to plan your day and set your goals. I set aside a corner of my bedroom where I have a small table and chair where I sit and write down my goals for the day. On days I’m feeling especially attentive, I will close my eyes and visualize how I will complete my goals. I haven’t built up much endurance with visualization, so I’m practicing it as much as I can.

2. A personal ‘Good Morning!’ from the sun
The beauty of nature is something to awe, and with each sunrise, we are greeted with a bright ‘good morning.’ Sunsets are equally beautiful, signifying the end of the day, a ‘good bye for now.’ While most of us are able to enjoy the sunset, far less people are able to take in the simple beauty of the sunrise. Wake up early and watch the sunrise, and claim it as your own! You can check the sunrise and sunset times of your local at the U.S. Navy Observatory website.

3. Exercise
My exercise routine used to start around 11:00pm, comeback around 12:00am and then shower and ready for bed. Obviously not great scheduling for a person who had to be at work at 8:00am. Since waking up early gives me time to exercise in the morning and gets my blood flowing, I start the day feeling good. I have also noticed that exercising in the morning will give you great energy throughout the day, and will help you sleep earlier and have better sleep quality. I currently alternate my exercise routine between cardiovascular training and weight training.

Side note: One thing that I have noticed is that if I start my run early (5:30-6:30am) the air is cool and crisp, but if I start my run after 6:30am, the air quality quickly diminishes as cars start to appear on the roads. This is because I run in a residential neighborhood and a LOT of exhaust is produced by cars not having reached their operating temperature. Since the car has just been started, the catalytic converter is not yet doing its job. I usually avoid running if it is after 6:30am.

4. Increased productivity
I have noticed a correlation between waking up early and increased productivity. Waking up early gives me time to set goals for the day before exercising and breakfast. After exercising and breakfast, I will usually use the time before work to read the news, write articles and tie up other loose ends. Because it is quiet in the morning, distractions are kept to a minimum and I am able to complete tasks much quicker than any other time of the day.

5. Starting the day with a good wholesome breakfast
Waking up late, I never had time to eat breakfast. Always rushing out the door, I was lucky enough to have a glass of water and possibly an unhealthy snack. When you’re pressed for time, I noticed that I usually ended up eating a lot unhealthier, making me sluggish till lunch time. But by waking up earlier, I now have ample time after exercise to make myself a wholesome breakfast. It is well documented that eating breakfast has many benefits and will help kick start your metabolism. Other benefits are increased concentration and strength. Check out the full benefits of breakfast. Just eating breakfast alone is a great reason to start your day early!

6. Shorter commute times
For people who have to commute in traffic, this should be THE reason to wake up early and head to work. Traffic has a funny way of working, and just 10 minutes earlier can make commute times much shorter. (YMMV) Save yourself the stress of commuting in traffic, and having to rush to work. You’ll feel much better and ready to start your work day.

7. Other areas start to improve
As I mentioned earlier, waking up early has contributed to many benefits including better punctuality and a big decrease in procrastination. I attribute these effects to the fact that I was able to improve my self discipline resulting in better self control and focus. These changes will make a big difference in helping you achieve your goals in life, all the while having more time for family, friends and hobbies.
photo by tormods

via wasabiburger.com

I really enjoyed this blog post. I currently work grave shift at my day job and have learned the art of sleeping effectively. Create a schedule and assess how much sleep you really need. Consider your goals and how badly you want to accomplish them. Also consider which days are best for completing specific tasks on your to do list.

Kimmy B.

How to Solve All of Your Problems

2011-03-02T18:14:00.000-08:00

Peace is Possible In Your Life

Is it possible to solve all of your problems? I'm experiencing a time of great growth, clarity, and transformation. I've been doing a lot of transformational work and have discovered something that has been serving me greatly this year. I was determined to reach some very big goals this year (like launching a successful location independent business and moving to New York). Figuring out how to solve my problems has been instrumental to achieving these goals.

We all have cycles and challenges in our lives. My challenge has been financial. There were quite a few smaller patterns I had to correct in order to address this larger financial pattern. Here's what I've done:

Stop Thinking About the Problem. Start Thinking About the Solution. For quite a while my thoughts were focused on my being tired of being stuck. I was sick of repeating the same pattern that led to more frustration. I kept questioning what I was doing wrong. Focusing on the solution itself helped me develop a plan of action.

Develop a Plan of Action. Action seemed to be the missing ingredient for life success during previous years. I've spent prior years "planning"and feeling as though I was doing something and wondering why I wasn't seeing results. Planning is absolutely pointless if you aren't going to do anything about it.

Make time to regularly check in about your progress. Last year I recited my goals every day. This forced me to remember what I was focusing on and question whether or not I was making progress.

There is no magic pill for success. This is what's working for me. I don't have the familiar anxiety I carried with me during prior years. I know that everything is okay because it is. My heart feels lighter. I feel powerful and strong. My income has doubled in the past 90 days and I'm actually moving to New York in April. Everything is finally coming together.

Here's to Your Transformation,

Kimmy B.

What issues are you facing? Have you considered what you might do to heal those issues? Commenting may help someone else who is going through the same thing!