This really grinds my gear

Motivation in Online Education

2012-02-14T03:09:00.001+01:00

If you try to complete an online education program it can be difficult but fun. Online college versus online college in learning new skills in a non-traditional way can be funnier than traditional learning. It does pose some different challenges.

Since students usually complete online education programs from their homes away from classrooms and fellow classmates, it can be difficult to remain motivated to study. Likewise, because online education programs are non-traditional learning formats, students do not have access to support resources available to those enrolled in traditional programs. Students frequently stay on track and remain motivated because of these support resources. Many students also lose motivation when they do not have the opportunity to interact with fellow students struggling to learn the same course material, and many students completing online education programs have little or no interaction with their peers.

Motivation loss can make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to complete any education program. Unmotivated students struggle completing reading assignments and studying for tests.

Motivation is often the driving force that keeps students constantly working hard when subject matter becomes monotonous and boring. Since students must be motivated to successfully complete online education programs, those lacking it will more than likely not successfully complete the program. As a result, unmotivated students enrolled in online programs are better off delaying their education and re-enrolling when they’re more motivated.

Students struggling with motivation should not become too discouraged. There are many strategies that can be utilized to regain motivation, including the following tips:

Remain motivated by developing goals and following specific steps to attain them. It is best to set small goals that can be attained. One effective strategy is to write small goals on specific days of a calendar. Once you have achieved the goal, cross the day off on the calendar. Goal achievement is a great way to build self-confidence and remain motivated.

Make an effort to communicate with other people enrolled in the same online class as you. Many programs provide students access to message boards where comments and questions can be posted. If possible, exchange e-mails with other people enrolled in the course. If you cannot communicate with others taking the same class, speak with family members or friends about course material you’re studying. It is also helpful to regularly communicate with the course instructor. This will provide you with an opportunity to ask questions or discuss course material.

Take advantage of forums and chatrooms pertaining to the course you are enrolled in. Students enrolled in online courses usually have access to online forums. Since this is the easiest way to communicate with fellow classmates, it’s useful to take advantage of online forums. Students can encourage their classmates, ask questions, and arrange study sessions with other students living nearby in online forums. Many students use these forums to arrange online study sessions with other students.

Making your dreams reality

2012-02-09T00:45:00.001+01:00

Everyone dreams. But not everyone shares their dreams with others around them. Most time you dream about something and forget about it since you think it’s unrealistic, but some people make their dreams a reality! Truth is, everyone got the ability to make their dreams reality. Now, there is really no way to bring people back from the dead or to create a new aged dinosaur, but other more realistic dreams can be accomplished with the proper motivation. The following tips can help you achieve to help your personal dreams become reality!

Allow Yourself to Dream

As children we all allowed ourselves to dream endlessly. When you begin maturing, however, there are always those negative individuals that will tell you dreaming is a waste of time. These are often the same individuals that are stuck in jobs they hate and who will never pursue their own dreams. The first thing you have to do to make your dreams come true is to allow yourself to dream. When you allow yourself to dream you are telling yourself it is OK to think about what “could be”. When you think outside your normal reality, people may think you are a little crazy. First, you're not crazy. Second, it's their loss that thay have an inability to dream. Whether or not you share your dreams with those around you, remember that dreaming does not make you crazy. It does allow you to begin your journey however. So, if you really want to be happy in life, allow yourself to dream and you will be able to find what it is that will make you happy.

Create Your Own Destiny

The number one thing to remember when you create your own destiny is to take risks. When you choose to follow a dream, you will most likely need to take risks in order to do so. You will have to think or go 'outside the box' in order to do this. You might need to make a major life change or even move to a new location. Whatever risks you need to take, however, will be for the good of your journey. This is the phase in which most people lose track of their dreams. Thinking up dreams is an easy task. Having the nerve to follow them is an entirely different thing. If you have enough guts to take these risks, you will be much closer to your dream than when you began. Remember that taking risks does not mean you should act spontaneously. If you are considering a major life change, you should always think it through before committing to it.

Believe It until It Happens

Sometimes it is difficult to believe that you can make your dreams come true. Often fear of failure takes over and corrupts the entire plan. The second thing you need to do to make your dreams a reality is to believe in yourself. Now, this is much more than just having self-confidence. This is about knowing in your heart that what you are doing can work out. If you believe in the dream enough and are willing to do whatever it takes to make it a reality, then you will be a success. It may not be an easy road, but the rainbow at the end will be worth the effort.

If you come to a point where it just doesn't look like you can muster up any more motivation, you need to keep on believing. There will unbelievably bad days and days where nobody is standing behind your dream. You must stay positive as incredibly hard as it may be. Take it from my experience. It's unavoidable but it passes. When you think positive, sometimes positive things come to you. So, try to keep your dream in focus as you go through the roller-coaster of making it a reality.

Making your dreams into a reality is for brave people only. If you think you have what it takes to be a success, use these tips to help you along your way. Remember that success is only sweet if you work hard to get it. It is possible to make your dreams come true, if you are willing to allow yourself to dream, take risks, and believe in yourself. If you don’t have the courage to do these things, your dreams will stay just as they are: dreams. If you take on the challenge however, you will find that anything is possible.

How to stay motivated

2012-01-28T12:49:00.002+01:00

It isn’t always easy to stay motivated. No matter what you’re doing trying to accomplish. Those that are trying to get fit, motivation can be even harder. Whatever it is that you are trying to get motivated to do, there are a few tips that can help. You can stay motivated to accomplish almost any goal.

Visualize and imagine your goals: When you have the ability to see your goals and imagine what the end result will be, you are more likely to stay motivated. You may feel more motivated by a picture of what you are working towards or need a daily visual reminder of that dream vacation you are saving money for. By keeping a visual picture in your mind and imagining yourself at your end result, you can stay motivated to accomplish any goal.

Reward and treat yourself: Staying motivated can be easier if you take the time to reward and treat yourself when you reach small milestones along the way. If you are trying a new fitness plan, try to reward yourself with a new pair of gym shoes or maybe new workout equipment. Knowing that there is something good along the way to your goal will help keep you excited about achieving your goal and you will stay motivated.

Watch a movie or listen to motivating music: You can get excited and motivated to reach your goals by watching a motivating movie or listening to music that will get you pumped about your goals. Look for movies that will help you see others work hard to reach their own goals. You will come out of the movie feeling ready to get busy and accomplish your goals. Music can also help you stay motivated. If you want to walk more, invest in a good portable music system and listen to upbeat music to keep you moving.

Set small goals and take a break: Whether you are working towards saving money for a new house or trying to eat healthy to lose a few pounds, set small goals for yourself and take a break every once in awhile. By setting small goals, you will not feel too overwhelmed at one time. You can work on each step that will equal to big results in the end. Also, if you do get overwhelmed, take a break. Achieving your goals will not happen overnight. If you feel frustrated, take a day off and rethink your plans.

Find a partner and do it for yourself: You can accomplish anything if you do it because you believe in yourself. If you work on a goal because you believe you can do it, it will be easy for you to stay motivated. While working on your goals, if you do need an extra push, find a partner who can keep you on track. You may have a friend who wants to lose weight or get in shape, too. Work with that person to motivate each other when your own motivation starts to sag.

Prove them wrong and impress others: Everyone is motivated for different reasons, but one way to stay motivated is to remember all the times someone told you that you couldn’t do it. Prove the negative people around you wrong and accomplish your goals to show them you can. While you should never try to live your life for the approval of others, your motivation may improve when you try to impress others. Feel good about what you can do, and others will notice the hard work.

Do it because it is fun and you want to do it: You may want to achieve a goal that you find very difficult. It may help to stay motivated by finding something fun about what you are doing. Achieve your goals because you want to do it and not because others want you to. When you find intrinsic motivation, it will be easier to focus on your goals.

Take advice and help others: Talk to others who have worked hard to accomplish the goals you are working towards. Listen to what they have to say and take their advice. For people who have already been there, they can offer valuable advice and this should help you stay motivated. Also, help others while you are accomplishing your goals. If you know someone else is depending on you, it will be easier for you to stay on track.

Change your routine and do it for your health: This can apply to those who are trying a new fitness routine. Schedule time for workouts and start cooking healthier meals at home. Achieve your goals because it will make you healthier. Anything you can do to make your goals easier to accomplish will help you stay motivated.

Compare and critique: When you compare your goals to others and find what worked or did not work for them, you can stay motivated because you will find what will help you. Look at others around you and see the mistakes they may have made and try to keep yourself in line by not making the same mistakes.

Succeed in Life, take action

2012-01-20T14:08:00.001+01:00

Did you ever read a signboard which is usually seen on a corridor or a hallway, that says something like “If you have nothing to do, don’t do it here?” The subtle message here is to avoid loitering.

If you analyze this expression, it does make sense. But if you look at it in a deeper dimension, there is a strong message being delivered here - a message that has relevance to success in life. It is like a wakeup call to the reality of life.

Your conscience is the one telling you to stop wasting your time, to do something with your life, and to do your best to achieve a goal. You have to listen to your conscience’s call because if you don’t, it is nobody’s loss but your own.

You must find out if there are any hindrances that are holding you back from moving forward in life. Is it financial condition? Is it social status, age, color, race, religion, educational background, gender, or a handicap? If you look at history, none of those mentioned above were considered hindrances. The explanation is simple. If you think you’re a failure, then you probably are. If you think you’re a success (even if you’re not yet successful), then the universe will work hard towards bringing you to fulfillment.

So the first thing you have to do is to flip the word “failure.” Look at it on the other side, and spell it out as “success.” Letter “f” becomes “s,” letter “a” becomes “u”, and so on.

Next thing on the list, you have to use your navigational instinct. Know what you want, where you’re headed, and how to get there. Find out what you are aiming for. Don’t run around headless.

If you can’t decide on what you want, here are two simple guides. Guide one is to find out what you love or like to do - something you enjoy doing. This is following your heart’s desire. When you love what you do, you’ll stick to it, no matter what. Your level of perseverance is higher and you won’t give up easily. This will keep you going and you won’t stop at anything until you achieve it. This will ensure success.

Guide two is to find a need and fill it. This principle is attributed to a great instrumentalist and has been the guiding principle of many other industrialists ever since. Look around. Be an observant. Check out what kind of product or service your community needs to enhance life improvement and development. It may take some effort and time to find out what it is or what they are, but it will be worth it. Sometimes when you’re looking for something, it is difficult to find it. Other times when you’re not looking but you’re just maintaining an open mind, ideas can come flowing into your mind effortlessly and spontaneously. Call it timing. There is always a right time for everything.

Once you know what you want to do, you will know where you’re heading. Between the “what” and the “where” is the “how” to get there. And this is the most important part of a successful life. It’s action time.

Try dividing a story or movie feature into three parts (what the story is about, how the story goes, and the ending of the story). The lengthiest part is how the story goes. This is where the action is. The outcome of the story is determined by the action that takes place. All three parts of the story are important. However, the middle portion is more significant than the other two.

Three Simple Ways To Motivate Yourself

2012-01-17T11:55:00.000+01:00

Whenever you feel unmotivated, changing your mindset can seem as stretched as store yourself out of a sticky pit of mud. Not only do you feel unmotivated, you feel unmotivated about trying to GET motivated!

Luckily, the mind is very susceptible to persuasion – if you use the right stimulators.

Here are three simple ways to motivate yourself:

Remind yourself why your goal is important.

Sometimes it’s easy to lose your motivation if the end result doesn’t seem as important as it did when you first set the goal. Most of us are fired up with enthusiasm when we first set our goals, but over time that fire begins to die down.

In order to rekindle the flames, revisit your goal in full detail! If you kept notes about what you wanted to achieve, re-read them now. If not, simply take a trip down memory lane. What will your goal do for you? Why was it once important to you? Is it still important to you? Important enough to override the temptation to avoid working on it?

If this activity isn’t sufficient to get you moving again, perhaps it’s time to set some NEW goals that will get your blood pumping again.

Give yourself a push.

Very often, it’s the start that is the most difficult part! Even when you don’t feel like working on something, pushing yourself to get started can often shake off the last vestiges of resistance and put you on the right track again.

I like to play a little trick on myself: when I really don’t feel like working on something, I’ll tell myself that I have to put in at least 15 minutes of time on it. I promise myself that if, after 15 minutes have passed I still don’t want to keep working on it, I can stop. This almost always works for me. Once I get involved in what I’m doing I have no trouble keeping up the momentum.

Whatever you have to do to “trick” yourself into getting started, do it. Once you’re rolling along, you probably won’t want to stop.

Set a compromise.

If all else fails, try bargaining with yourself. Promise yourself that you can spend the rest of the evening watching whatever you want on television if you first work on your goals for an hour or two. Or promise to buy yourself a new outfit if you stick to your workout plan each day this week.

There are two important things to keep in mind with this technique. First, keep your promises realistic. Don’t promise yourself the moon just to try to motivate yourself, because somewhere deep inside you’ll know you are lying to yourself. Second, be sure to honor the promises you make to yourself! If you get into the habit of making promises you don’t keep, your mind will become ever more resistant to compromise.

No matter which method of motivation works best for you, the 3 suggestions above have one thing in common: a decision to take action. You can play all the mind games you want, but if you’re not willing to move out of inertia and get moving, a motivated mind-set won’t help a bit.

Achieve Your Goals Faster By Surrendering To Obstacles

2012-01-03T12:38:00.004+01:00

There are few things more maddening than running into obstacles and blockages while you’re working toward your goals! You’ll be moving along nicely, feeling great about the progress you’re making, when all of a sudden – boom; you’re stuck. You’ve encountered an obstacle that you have no idea how to get around.

What you do next will often determine whether you achieve your goals or give up on them forever. Your first impulse will probably be to try to figure out a way to work through the obstacle or sidestep around it – or even force it to move out of your way.

But what if that doesn’t work? Does that mean your goals are toast? No!

Today you’re going to learn another powerful technique for dealing with obstacles: surrender.

You may think that surrendering to obstacles means that you’ll be giving up on your goals, but keep in mind that surrender is not the same thing as defeat.

When you surrender to obstacles, it means that you refuse to waste your energy fighting them. It means that instead of resisting and struggling, you’re going to step back and see the obstacle in a new light.

Here’s how to do it:

1) Step back and gain some emotional distance. When most of us encounter obstacles, we tend to take them personally and draw conclusions about what they mean. We throw our hands up and declare that our goals are finished, we’re finished, and we’ve failed. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Instead of drawing conclusions about the obstacle you’re facing, step back and observe it. Why has it appeared in your life? What lessons can you learn from it? Is it possibly an opportunity to stretch yourself more than you’ve been willing to in the past?

2) Open to your creative inspiration. Just asking those questions can get your creative inspiration flowing like crazy! When you detach from any need to push through the obstacle, you suddenly see that there are many other options available to you. During this time, be sure to jot down any insights and possibilities that may occur to you.

3) Give it time. Even if you see some great possibilities for working through or around the obstacle, don’t take action on them right away. Give it a few days. Keep your distance, and you’ll probably notice that your fear and frustration will begin to dwindle. Before long you’ll feel stronger and more capable about moving forward again, at which time you can put some of your new ideas into motion.

When you enter into this process of surrender, don’t be surprised if the obstacle dissolves spontaneously on its own! It happens frequently, simply because you’ve stopped trying to force things to happen and are instead willing to just go with the flow – which creates space for movement and progress to occur again.

The five R’s of the MI approach.

2011-12-22T01:10:00.000+01:00

As mentioned before in our last blog, we cover the five R's of the MI approach in this blog. Motivational Intervention is based on five principles that seem to be getting the job done!

Relevance.

Risks

Educate the individual about the risks involved with the behavior. They should be able to identify the risks to them personally as well as the risks to their family and their friends. The risks are sometimes not easy to see, and it is the job of the MI to point these out.

Rewards

These are not the type of rewards that you might be thinking. These are internal rewards. The MI approach asks the individual to focus on why that changing the behavior will make his or her life better or how that it will make them a better person.

Roadblocks

By knowing what kinds of things and situations that will prevent the person from achieving their goals of changing the behavior, they can prevent them. They will be more aware of these things and have devised a plan in advance to deal with these situations.

Repetition

The MI approach wants the person to understand that it is okay to fail. It takes many attempts to make a permanent change. It is important to let the person know that they do have the strength to learn from mistakes and to try again.

University of Harvard

The MI approach is used among many types of addictions and destructive behaviors such as smoking and even overeating! Teens are particularly hard to deal with and the MI approach is working to prevent alcoholism in teens.

Motivational Interventions For Students

2011-12-22T01:07:00.002+01:00

A recent news release found that students who have been involved with drugs and or alcohol abuse can benefit from motivational interventions. It is thought that the actual session is helpful, regardless of the content provided within. One expert says that the sessions give the students a chance to observe some of the issues that are surrounding their problems. These sessions give the students time to speak with a motivational interventionist and discuss any questions that they might have or talk about their problems.

What is the MI (motivational intervention) approach?

It has been shown that a lot of the programs which are designed to reduce these alcohol related behaviors in teens simply do not work! MI seems to be different. MI uses a non-confrontational, collaborative means by which to talk to teens about their drinking or drug use. Since the teen is treated as an adult and is given decisions to make and is involved in the decision making process they are less likely to resist authority, which is common for children their age.

The Motivational Intervention approach is tailored to the individual needs of each person. The teen is assessed to see where he or she is at motivationally and is created to meet their specific needs. One example is for a teen who has been known to drink heavily and who has experienced the negative consequences of his or her actions, but has not given enough thought to how to change the behavior, a motivational interventionist would work with the teens on increasing awareness of the consequences and the current and future risk involved.

Where can I get find an MI program?

You can look for resources about local MI on the web or you can seek guidance from your child’s school counselor. The department of Human Services may also know of programs in your area. The local police are always a good resource for information about these motivational intervention programs.

Is it Expensive?

The MI approach recognizes that for some money may be the reason that they do not seek help since rehabilitation facilities are expensive and are usually not covered by insurance. The MI approach is commonly done by undergraduates of a rehabilitation program or by trained non-professionals. Therefore the cost of these interventions is much less expensive. Costing only a fraction of what a rehabilitation facility would cost.

The University of Oxford

Next blog will be about: "The five R’s of the MI approach."

Some facts about the Niagara Falls

2011-12-20T22:31:00.000+01:00

Normally i would blog about motivations to keep you going. Today i will show you some interesting facts about the niagara falls. Enjoy.

I hope you enjoy'ed it and learned something new. At least i did.

It’s Never Too Late, So Never Lose Hope

2011-12-20T00:50:00.001+01:00

How old are you? Are you too old? Do you think that your life is coming to an end? Do you think that it is too late to dream or change your life and succeed?

Do you lose yourself to time and sit waiting for death?

Wake up!

It is never too late to fulfill your dreams. It is never to late to unleash your potential. Think of the long time that has passed by so far and you will find a treasure of life lessons that can help you achieve massive success.

I'll admit that being old is different than being young. But the only difference that I can see is that you might need to move faster.

The rest of your life is shorter than what has passed. But you still have time to do what you love and leave a legacy.

Think of it. You have two choices. First, you can sit and regret the lost dreams. Second, you can go after your passion and dreams. What have you got to lose?

You still have a chance to end your life in a magnificent way. You still have the chance to draw a masterpiece that can be a source of inspiration for generations to come.

Never lose hope. As long as you are still alive, then you have a chance to succeed and live the life you were born to live.

Strive for success. Make new friends. Start a new business. Join a club. Involve in activities that feed your soul and charge your body.

Don’t end your life too early. There is more out there that can be done. Enjoy every moment of your life.

Always remember that:

“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Eliot

LIVE to the last second!

Motivation plus a Goal equals Success

2011-09-26T16:33:00.003+02:00

If you are looking for a way to be successful in whatever you do, you may be struggling to find the best formula to help you do so. The truth is that it takes two main components in order to be a success in anything. The first component is motivation and the second is goal setting. In order to be successful, you need to have a balance of these two components. Without one, the other is useless. There are many people who are great at setting goals and then follow up with no motivation. They tend to get confused when they rarely meet their goals. It can be difficult to have the right balance. If you are someone who wants to be a success but will continue to get lost along the way, read more to figure out what you can do to get on the right track.

Finding Motivation

Motivation is a difficult thing to stir up on your own. We are often motivated naturally to do things. For instance, when we are hungry, we are motivated to find a place to eat. When someone says they lack motivation, they are not being honest with themselves. Everyone has motivation inside of them. The difficult part may be funneling your natural motivation supply to specific goals you have in mind. Once you know how to motivate yourself, you will find it easier to stay on task.

Each person can be motivated in a different way. Some people work great on a reward motivation system. In this system the participants reward themselves each time they meet a goal. If you are trying to lose weight, then you can reward yourself with a new outfit each time you meet a goal in your plan. If you are trying to spend less, you can reward yourself with a night out each month you follow your budget exactly. Many people respond well to this type of reward system, especially if they were raised in a home that practiced the same system.

Setting Goals

Along with finding your motivation, the other equally important aspect of being a success is learning to set goals. The most important thing to remember when setting goals is that you should always set realistic goals. Be aware of your capabilities. It is fine to push yourself a little, but if you create goals that are not realistic, then you will likely give up trying to meet them. Often people who set unrealistic goals are capable of the goal itself, but are exhausted at trying to reach it all at once.

With many goals, like weight loss goals, you should break them up into smaller goals. You can work on part of the goal at a time. For instance, if you want to lose 100 pounds, it can be difficult to stay motivated with that huge number in mind, especially when the average person can lose a few pounds a week. Try setting a weekly goal of losing two pounds. If you exceed that goal then you can celebrate, but you may find that each goal is right on target. The less pressure you put on yourself to succeed, the easier it will come.

When you do set a goal, make sure that you are constantly reminded of your goal. You can tell those around you of your goal so you will feel accountable for following through. You can also create notes to post around your home, office, or car in order to help you keep on track. No matter what your goal is, it must be remembered each day. As creatures of habit, we can easily train ourselves to be successful and meet our goals. When we are constantly focused on the goal at hand, we will be better able to do so.

When you put 50% motivation and 50% goal setting into something you can guarantee you will succeed. Remember that everyone has the ability to be motivated. Each person may require a different technique, but we can all be motivated just the same. Also, be sure to set goals often. Reasonable goals are those that you are capable of meeting. Never push yourself too hard with your goal or you might risk getting burned-out and quitting. Creating a balance between motivation and goal setting is the key to all success however, so keep trying and you will get it right!

Get Off Your Ass and Lose Weight

2011-07-17T19:57:00.003+02:00

What will it take you to be motivated to lose the weight you keep saying you’re going to lose? Will illness be the motivator? Or how about that high school reunion, or that long dreamed of vacation cruise. It could be that you’re tired of being out of breath while climbing stairs, cleaning house or shopping at the mall. Whatever it takes, there are benefits for losing weight. It doesn’t matter if you’re 20 pounds overweight or 200, you still need to get motivated to get off your keister and lose that weight.

My body hates the “Diet” word. If I even think the word diet, my body goes into starvation mode and stores everything I eat in the fat cells in my thighs. So, I don’t diet, I eat healthy and make good food choices. Am I playing mental tricks? Sure, but it works for me.

Healthy eating of course is the beginning of losing that weight, but you also need to exercise to help it along. Why is getting off your butt and exercising important? There are several reasons.

Exercise or physical activity will help burn the calories you are taking into your body. The more you move the more calories you burn; it’s as simple as that. You are burning calories by doing housework or running after your children. The trick is to get your body moving in different ways.

Exercise can help you get off that plateau you may be on in your weight loss program. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you are stuck at a certain weight. The temptation is to give up at that point. You can breathe through that plateau point by increasing physical activity. Especially recommended is strength training. Working with weights, helps build muscles and muscles burn fat.

Increased physical activity enhances your metabolic rate and that rate stays high for some time even after you’ve stopped exercise.

Sleeping patterns improve when you are getting more exercise. Do not exercise right before bedtime because it can keep you awake. Experts recommend at least three hours between exercise and bedtime. Moving that body and stretching your limbs is also good for both the body and soul. It improves mood and releases endorphins in the brain that increases your feeling of well being. By the way, you get the same rush when you’re in love, or eat chocolate. I’m not recommending eating chocolate!

More importantly, getting the proper physical exercise can reduce the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, breast cancer, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis. Physical exercise is recommended in treatment of certain mental issues such as depression. How can it not help when it produces those feel-good endorphins?

Here are some hints to get motivated to exercise. Set small goals and be sure they are measurable. Take small steps and once you’ve met that goal, set a new one. Always be sure your goals are practical. It isn’t realistic to make a goal of losing 50 pounds in one month. With that decision you’ve set yourself up for a crushing defeat. So don’t set your expectations too high or you’re likely to be discouraged and quit.

Set up a regular schedule and stick to it. Even if you are only exercising three times a week, be sure to get those three times in every week. You can try marking this schedule down in your calendar which will make sticking to your plan easier. Be sure to make exercise fun. If you used to love to dance, put on an oldie and just move your body. Dancing is wonderful exercise. Include your children, they will love dancing with Mommy or Daddy, and it can be fun for the whole family. Join a water aerobics class or any other class. By planning ahead and sticking to a schedule, you will gain valuable support in your diet and exercise plan.

Get ready for that vacation, reunion, or special event you’re looking forward to. You can do it, set small goals and reward yourself with a new outfit every time you reach your goal. Your body, mind, and spirit will thank you for it.

Randomness

2011-06-11T22:25:00.000+02:00

Sometimes you don't wanna read, just lay back and watch a movie or so. I have that feeling lately. Therefor i have a nice video to share with you guys:

It made me smile :) Now.. Go watch a movie or so, just like me!

Have a nice day...

Pappa Pulli out

How To Detox Your Mind & Motivate Yourself

2011-06-03T17:23:00.000+02:00

Are negative thoughts and beliefs preventing you from moving forward with your goals and dreams? If so, detox your mind!

Detoxification most often refers to the process of removing toxins from the body to achieve better health and well-being, but most people don’t realize that their minds can become incredibly toxic too.

How do you know if your mind is toxic? You’ll most often feel powerless, hopeless, intimidated, frustrated, ineffective and stuck. Everyone feels like this occasionally, but if you spend the majority of your time feeling like this, you’ve definitely got toxin overload.

Here’s how to detox your mind:

Purge the toxins

The first step is to find a way to purge the negative thoughts and beliefs that are holding you back. One of the best ways to do this is to write them down. Grab a blank sheet of paper and a pen, and start writing how you feel about yourself, your goals, your dreams, and your life in general. You might end up with statements like these: “I feel so sick and tired of struggling. No matter what I do I can’t seem to make changes. I really think I’m defective somehow because I can’t do the things that other people find so easy. I’m doomed to live a life of mediocrity and lack. I’m powerless to change anything in my life.”

Keep writing until you’ve covered everything you can think of.

Then, create the antidote

All of those negative thoughts and beliefs you just wrote down are literally polluting your potential! Unless you replace them with something more empowering, they’ll continue to control everything you think, say and do.

Grab another sheet of paper and begin writing a positive statement that directly contradicts each negative one. However, be sure you write it in a way that is believable to you. Using the examples from above, your antidote might look like this: “I am absolutely determined to make better progress on improving my life. I can make changes simply by taking one step at a time and believing in my own ability. I am learning new and powerful ways to conquer challenges and move forward. Other people appear to have it easy because they’ve probably been working on this stuff longer than I have. I will eventually reach the same state of confidence and mastery. I know I have the power to learn, grow, and make my life into something meaningful and fulfilling.”

Once you’ve got your antidote ready, destroy the toxins. That sheet of paper you wrote all the negative stuff on? Burn it! Or rip it into tiny shreds and throw it away. Those thoughts are no longer part of your life.

Then be sure to take the antidote every single day! Read your new empowering thoughts as often as you can and do your best to internalize them as your new truth.

Remember, a tiny bit of toxins usually won’t cause big problems, but if they begin to build up over time they can wreak absolute havoc in your life. That’s true with both physical AND mental toxins. By taking the antidote on a regular basis, you minimize the buildup of mental toxins in your mind and automatically empower yourself to do and be more than you ever believed possible.

Stay Motivated: Make a Contract With Yourself

2011-05-30T00:22:00.002+02:00

Motivation is defined as, why people do what they do. Long-term motivation can be difficult when you do not make yourself stick to your goals. Most people make goals, but those who are successful have the discipline and drive to achieve their goals and dreams.

Different things motivate people. Some are driven by internal or intrinsic motivation. Others need extrinsic motivation, or outside forces, to help them stay on track. One easy way to help you achieve your goals is to make a contract with yourself and work hard to stick to it. Sign it, date it and keep track of it.

The first step in making a contract with your self to stay motivated is to make an outline. When you make an outline in your contract, you will list long-term goals, short-term goals, payoffs and benefits, rewards and a detailed action plan. By having everything you need to know about achieving your goals, you will stay motivated. Before making this outline, take some time and think about what exactly you want to accomplish. Maybe you want to reorganize your home, or maybe you want to try out a new fitness plan. Perhaps you want to go back to school and finish a degree. Whatever it is, you will need to do some research and understand each step you will need to accomplish.

When you list your long-term goals, you will make a list of the things you want to achieve within one to three years. Try to be very specific so you will know exactly what you are working towards. If you want to lose thirty pounds, your long-term goals will be to lose the weight through diet and exercise. Your long-term goals will be your final end result that you are working towards. This works for almost any goal and will help you in staying focused and motivated to reach your goals.

Short-term goals will be things that you want to accomplish within weeks or months. If you are working on going back to school, your short-term goals may be to request school applications and catalogs or to talk to a financial aid office about your payment options. Your short-term goals should be specific and should be something that you can accomplish in a short amount of time. Short-term goals are also important because once you finish one goal; you will feel motivated by knowing you are one step closer in reaching that long-term goal.

Your next step in making a contract with yourself is to list payoffs and benefits of your goals and achievements. While losing weight is a benefit, you will want to list the reason why you want to lose weight. Maybe the payoff is fitting into a certain size jeans again or looking great for an upcoming reunion. Maybe it is because you want to better your health by losing weight. Again, you should be specific when you set these benefits in your contract because it will help you stay motivated.

Now you can think about rewards. Rewards are important when you are setting goals for yourself. When you think about rewards, think about the fun things that you will accomplish by reaching your goals. Lose that weight and buy a new dress. Reorganize you house and get a new couch. Whatever you think it the best part about reaching your goals, use that as a reward to help stay motivated.

The last part in setting a contract with your self is to have a specific action plan. An action plan will tell you what steps you need to take to reach your final goal. It is here that you will list what you need to change, do, or accomplish in a day, a week, a month or a year. This action plan will help keep you motivated to reach your end goal. List your action plan and keep it in mind everyday you are working towards your goal.

When you take the time to make an official contract with yourself, you will stay motivated and ready to reach your goals. It will be easier when you can see your long and short-term goals in writing and know what rewards and benefits are waiting for you along the way. Your action plan will help you stay on track when you are working hard to accomplish your goals and dreams.

Theories of Motivation in Education

2011-05-26T00:24:00.002+02:00

Motivation is a force used within the educational system to encourage student learning and understanding. In the educational setting, motivation is either an internal force or external force. There are different theories of motivation in the educational setting, including those that state that student behavior is dictated due to either external or internal factors. This discussion concerns the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations and their effect on student learning and success within an educational setting.

Theories/Speculation

· Motivation is affected greatly by the locus of control. The idea that a person feels their own decisions and actions determine their destiny indicates an internal locus. If the individual is operating using an external locus, they believe outside forces are responsible for the events that occur in their lives and feel they have little control situations. Those with an internal locus will often use intrinsic motivation, which is person centered and comes from within an individual, whereas those with an external locus may need extrinsic rewards or consequences as an effective motivational tool.

Intrinsic Motivation

· According to humanistic theories set forth by Carl Rogers, motivation might come from within an individual without any thought to the external reward. Students receive their own internal reward through an increase in self-esteem and sense of achievement when they reach their desired goal. They may just feel the desire to succeed based on factors such as their own interest in an activity or the feeling of satisfaction that is achieved when they complete the necessary steps to achieve the desired accomplishment. This drive is called internal or intrinsic motivation, which means there are no outside forces that dictate whether an individual will ultimately achieve his goal. He does not attempt to achieve to receive an external reward works toward the intrinsic value associated with the success of the project. Students will be motivated to perform desired behaviors, and neither punishment or rewards are necessary to motivate the individual to succeed.

Motivational Interventions For High Risk Students

2011-05-24T21:57:00.001+02:00

A recent news release found that high risk students who have been involved with drugs and or alcohol abuse can benefit from motivational interventions. It is thought that the actual session is helpful, regardless of the content provided within. One expert says that the sessions give the students a chance to observe some of the issues that are surrounding their problems. These sessions give the students time to speak with a motivational interventionist and discuss any questions that they might have or talk about their problems.

What is the MI (motivational intervention) approach?

It has been shown that a lot of the programs which are designed to reduce these alcohol related behaviors in teens simply do not work! MI seems to be different. MI uses a non-confrontational, collaborative means by which to talk to teens about their drinking or drug use. Since the teen is treated as an adult and is given decisions to make and is involved in the decision making process they are less likely to resist authority, which is common for children their age.

The Motivational Intervention approach is tailored to the individual needs of each person. The teen is assessed to see where he or she is at motivationally and is created to meet their specific needs. One example is for a teen who has been known to drink heavily and who has experienced the negative consequences of his or her actions, but has not given enough thought to how to change the behavior, a motivational interventionist would work with the teens on increasing awareness of the consequences and the current and future risk involved.

Where can I get find an MI program?

You can look for resources about local MI on the web or you can seek guidance from your child’s school counselor. The department of Human Services may also know of programs in your area. The local police are always a good resource for information about these motivational intervention programs.

Is it Expensive?

The MI approach recognizes that for some money may be the reason that they do not seek help since rehabilitation facilities are expensive and are usually not covered by insurance. The MI approach is commonly done by undergraduates of a rehabilitation program or by trained non-professionals. Therefore the cost of these interventions is much less expensive. Costing only a fraction of what a rehabilitation facility would cost.

The five R’s of the MI approach.

Motivational Intervention is based on five principles that seem to be getting the job done!

1. Relevance.

It is important for the individual to know why he or she wants to change the behavior. They should recognize the consequences and know how those consequences are relevant to them and their personal situation. Relevance is the personal aspect of the MI approach.

2. Risks

Educate the individual about the risks involved with the behavior. They should be able to identify the risks to them personally as well as the risks to their family and their friends. The risks are sometimes not easy to see, and it is the job of the MI to point these out.

3. Rewards

These are not the type of rewards that you might be thinking. These are internal rewards. The MI approach asks the individual to focus on why that changing the behavior will make his or her life better or how that it will make them a better person.

4. Roadblocks

By knowing what kinds of things and situations that will prevent the person from achieving their goals of changing the behavior, they can prevent them. They will be more aware of these things and have devised a plan in advance to deal with these situations.

5. Repetition

The MI approach wants the person to understand that it is okay to fail. It takes many attempts to make a permanent change. It is important to let the person know that they do have the strength to learn from mistakes and to try again.
The MI approach is used among many types of addictions and destructive behaviors such as smoking and even overeating! Teens are particularly hard to deal with and the MI approach is working to prevent alcoholism in teens.

What is the MI (motivational intervention) approach?

It has been shown that a lot of the programs which are designed to reduce these alcohol related behaviors in teens simply do not work! MI seems to be different. MI uses a non-confrontational, collaborative means by which to talk to teens about their drinking or drug use. Since the teen is treated as an adult and is given decisions to make and is involved in the decision making process they are less likely to resist authority, which is common for children their age.

The Motivational Intervention approach is tailored to the individual needs of each person. The teen is assessed to see where he or she is at motivationally and is created to meet their specific needs. One example is for a teen who has been known to drink heavily and who has experienced the negative consequences of his or her actions, but has not given enough thought to how to change the behavior, a motivational interventionist would work with the teens on increasing awareness of the consequences and the current and future risk involved.

Where can I get find an MI program?

You can look for resources about local MI on the web or you can seek guidance from your child’s school counselor. The department of Human Services may also know of programs in your area. The local police are always a good resource for information about these motivational intervention programs.

Is it Expensive?

The MI approach recognizes that for some money may be the reason that they do not seek help since rehabilitation facilities are expensive and are usually not covered by insurance. The MI approach is commonly done by undergraduates of a rehabilitation program or by trained non-professionals. Therefore the cost of these interventions is much less expensive. Costing only a fraction of what a rehabilitation facility would cost.

The five R’s of the MI approach.

Motivational Intervention is based on five principles that seem to be getting the job done!

1. Relevance.

2. Risks

3. Rewards

4. Roadblocks

5. Repetition

Are You Feeling Unmotivated? Do Need A Breath of Fresh Air?

2011-05-18T13:57:00.000+02:00

When you’re feeling unmotivated about your goals or any other endeavor, it can be difficult to keep the bigger picture in mind and remember what you’re working so hard for. When the initial excitement of your goals or project begins to wear off and you find yourself losing focus and determination, it can be helpful to engage in a comprehensive review – not just of your current goals, but all aspects of your life.

This process may seem like a lot of work at first, but it can serve as a powerful breath of fresh air that clears away stagnation and ushers in renewed clarity and motivation.

Start by using a blank sheet of paper to represent each area of your life, like financial, career, relationships, home, health and fitness, spiritual and so on. Write a general overview of your status in each area. Are you satisfied with the things you’ve accomplished in these areas of your life? Would you like to make further changes?

Then, based on that information, come up with some clear goals that you can set for each area of your life. They don’t have to be massive goals, just objectives you’d like to begin working toward gradually.

Once you’ve got some goals set, come up with a few simple action steps you can take in each area on a regular basis. These action steps might include things like reducing your consumption of junk food, exercising for 30 minutes daily, spending more quality time with your family, enrolling in night classes to get your degree, or starting a home business on the side to boost your income.

When you’ve completed this process for each part of your life, write all of those action steps on one sheet of paper, separated into sections. By the time you’re finished you should have a clear idea of exactly what you want to accomplish in each area of your life.

But you’re not done yet!

Now, take a look at the goals and action steps you’ve written down, and consider any possible obstacles you might face that would threaten your motivation. What types of problems usually come up that prevent you from doing the things you want to do? And how can you set up strategies to overcome them in the future?

For example, one obstacle you might face is procrastination brought on by a shortage of time. Rather than spending a few minutes at a time working on your goals, you tend to put it off until you have more time, which never happens. One possible strategy you could put in place is a written reminder that you must use the time you do have wisely, because small actions taken consistently will still help you reach your goals!

Once you have these strategies written down, be sure to keep them nearby and re-read them as often as necessary. If you do find that you’re losing steam again at a later time, simply start this entire process over again and allow it to usher in a welcome dose of clarity, focus and motivation.

What If You Couldn’t Fail - At Anything?

2011-05-16T14:34:00.002+02:00

Have you ever wondered what you would do with your life if you truly couldn’t fail at anything? How would such an insight change your life? Would you move toward your goals with stronger purpose and relentless determination? Would you laugh at obstacles and challenges? Would you ignore negative comments from other people in your life?

Imagine that anything you wanted right now was available to you, and there was NO POSSIBLE WAY you could fail in your attempt to get it. How would that have changed the goals you’ve set in the past, and how might it change your current goals?

If you’re like most people, this exercise may help you realize a few things:

You’ve been playing small. You may have doubts about your ability to achieve the goals you really want, so you settle for smaller goals that you know you can handle.

The problem with doing this is that you’re not working toward goals that really keep you motivated. The smaller goals you’re setting may be “nice” but they’re not what REALLY get you fired up! As you know, staying motivated is easier when you’re working toward something that’s vitally important to you.

Failure isn’t your biggest fear – success is! One common reaction many people have to the questions asked in the beginning of this article is the realization that they still wouldn’t go after bigger goals because the thought of achieving them is more frightening than failing! Staying where you are might seem more appealing than going after big goals because at least your current situation is familiar and comfortable – if not very satisfying.

Of course, nothing will change if you don’t find a way to believe in your capabilities! A funny thing happens when people achieve an important goal – they realize they are capable of handling much more than they ever suspected before. They realize that their fears were groundless and they’re grateful that they pushed forward despite them.

Failure doesn’t exist until YOU say it does. When you look back at your past failures, you’ll probably notice a couple of things: failure occurred when you refused to try; and failure occurred when you quit trying.

How many times have you done those things? This realization can be life-changing if you allow it to be! Think about the goals you’ve set in the past, and ask yourself if you refused to try or quit trying at any point. Most likely your answer will be affirmative.

Now take a moment to think about your current goals. What if you simply began working toward them and refused to quit? What would happen? Only you can determine whether failure is possible for you – solely based upon your willingness to keep moving forward or not!

Making Changes Will Motivate You

2011-05-12T00:39:00.000+02:00

People tend to be creatures of habit. We do not look forward to changes and usually changes in our lives or daily routines can upset our balance. Children are especially upset with changes in daily routine. Ever seen a two year old without an afternoon nap? Adults are no different. Changes are however, a part of life. Changes can be good, though. Changes are often the reason why many people are motivated.

Many people are motivated by changes in their lives. The changes they experience might be small, such as adding a new pet to the family or getting a new hair cut or style. Or, there could be more life-changing experiences such as moving, getting married or having a baby. Some changes can cause serious stress in emotions and people can become resistance to change. There are ways to channel the emotions surrounding a change and become more motivated.

Change can get you motivated to something or change something in your life. By definition, motivation means the mental force that causes change or the reason why a person works towards a goal or accomplishment. It is usually agreed that unsatisfied needs or situations causes people to become motivated. A change that can cause a person to become more motivated to do something that is beneficial is desirable. For example, if you just had your first baby, you may find that this life-changing event is the perfect time to motivate yourself to change careers or to save money so that you can stay at home. Maybe you get laid off from your job and suddenly find yourself unemployed. This change in your life, while it can be quite stressful and upsetting, can motivate you to change careers or go back to school to further your education. Many people will tell you that they are motivated to do something because there has been some kind of change in their life.

After you have realized that you have the perfect opportunity to change or to get yourself motivated to change, you have seized the moment. If you do not take the time and motivate yourself right away, you might find that your motivation will slip away. It is very important use the opportunity from this change in your life and makes a difference in your life and those around you. Even if you are dealing with small changes in your life, these can still be used to motivate you to make even more changes that will benefit.

Another reason why change can motivate people is because change often causes stress. Stress is very real and some people have a difficult time dealing with the stress. When a person experiences a change in their life, they can be very resistant. Usually, change is coupled with a fear of the unknown or the unexpected. Every person is different when they deal with change. Those who are easily motivated by change are able to perceive change and channel that energy in a positive way. Those who have difficulty with change are usually not well equipped to deal well with that change in their lives. As a result they may not be motivated at all.

Some people are better equipped to deal with change when they know what to expect out of a situation. For these people, their motivation may come out of learning what changes they will face. One example might be moving. If a person lives in one city all of their life, they may not want to move and resist moving to another area. They might be motivated to research the area where they are moving to so that they can deal better with the change of a new place or city. Because motivation comes in many different forms, change is one way many people will be motivated.

The Blessing of Facing Challenges In Life

2011-05-10T15:09:00.002+02:00

Have you ever noticed that every challenge also contains a blessing in disguise? If not, you may not have been looking closely enough! It’s true that challenges often seem like inconveniences when they get in the way of something you want. When you’re working toward goals that are important to you, the last thing you want is to face a big challenge or obstacle because it usually means that your desired outcome will be delayed.

However, if you learn to see challenges in a new light, they can easily become the best things that have ever happened to you.

Below you’ll find 5 questions you should ask whenever you find yourself facing challenges:

1. What Can I Learn From This?

Too often we view challenges as annoyances or personal vendettas, when in fact they may hold a great opportunity to learn and grow! If you start by asking what you can learn from each challenge, you’ll suddenly see them as possibilities that pave the way to greater wisdom and self-mastery.

2. How Can This Strengthen Me?

One major reason why challenges intimidate us is because we don’t feel capable of handling them. We have a limited perception of our own abilities, so we automatically believe that the challenge is bigger than we are. However, if you learn to see challenges as an opportunity to become stronger and more empowered, there’s no way they can hold you back!

3. How Can I Use This to My Advantage?

Most often we see challenges as disadvantages – but is that necessarily true? A challenge can often help you see that there are many possible ways to achieve a goal, and the one you’ve chosen may not necessarily be the best one. Asking this question can often open your mind to alternative routes that may be shorter or otherwise better in some way.

4. How Can I Use This to Help Others?

Though we often believe our goals affect only ourselves, more often we have a huge impact on the people around us too. Not only do other people watch what you do and how you live your life – they often model their own behavior after yours! If you refuse to let challenges intimidate you or slow you down, you just might inspire and motivate others to do the same with their own challenges.

5. What Would Make This a Worthwhile Experience?

Sometimes just being willing to recognize that a challenge may not be such a bad thing can be enough to help you realize all kinds of wonderful benefits from it. This question does a couple of things: first, it helps you feel more empowered because it affirms that you have a choice in how you react to the challenge; and secondly it reminds you that every challenge holds the seeds for unlimited blessings and opportunities.

Positive Reactions

2011-05-09T22:23:00.000+02:00

Yesterday i got this new domainname. On this way i wanna thank all people for supporting me, i had so many reactions and comments. More will come soon, i'm busy writing a really nice motivational!

Meanwhile i got you a nice video which i like, i hope you enjoy:

Pappa Püllï out!

Domain Name!

2011-05-09T00:28:00.002+02:00

GRINDSMYGEAR.COM

From now on, you awesome followers, can find me on grindsmygears.com! I'm hoping everyone is happy with the change. More motivationals will come for you!

Stay tuned!

Pappa Püllï out!

How To Get Motivated and Stay Motivated

2011-05-08T14:20:00.002+02:00

Getting motivated to accomplish a goal may be easy, but it is staying motivated that we often find difficult. Staying on task, or motivated to reach a goal can be a long process and can be frustrating if you do not take the time to accomplish the short-term goals first. When you have a goal, no matter what it is, you can take steps to ensure that after you get motivated, you stay motivated.

Most people set certain goals for themselves. Maybe it is to get in better shape or maybe it is to go back to school. Whatever goal or dream you have, motivation is sometimes hard to come by. Motivation takes not only hard work, but it also takes dedication, willingness, and drive. Many people start out strong when they want to accomplish a goal, but soon find that it is not always easy to stick to the task.

Since everyone is motivated by something different, it will be important to find what it is that motivates you personally. For some people, who are motivated from within, motivation comes from that inner voice that pushes them to work harder and do better. Others need outside factors to push them to their goals. For those people, there are things that can be done to get motivated and to stay motivated no matter what goal you are working towards.

One thing that can help keep you motivated or can get in the way of keeping you motivated is just life. If you are busy, you may tell yourself that you do not have the time or the means to stay motivated. This is especially true for anyone that wants to get in shape or lose weight. We find ourselves making excuses because we are too busy or cannot find the time to exercise or eat right. In addition, we may find that the snack machines at work are just too tempting during the day to turn down. Maybe we find that we are too busy to cook a healthy meal and instead find a fast food drive through. When you think your life is too busy to achieve your goals, you need to take the time to rethink. You can stay motivated if you can reorganize your priorities and your life to reflect your goals and dreams.

Another good way to stay motivated is to find a dedicated partner who is willing to help you through your hardest times. Find someone; whether it is your spouse, friend or neighbor that you can talk to when the times are hard. Maybe you can find a friend that also wants to get in shape or eat better. Work with that person to find a routine that works for the both of you. When you know someone else is depending on you, you will find it is easier to stay motivated to accomplish you goals. Find a partner that shares your willingness and dedication and will work to push you to stay motivated.

You can also stay motivated by hard work. When you see how far you have come when you are working towards your short-term goals, you will see that you can accomplish your goals. This will help you work hard and stay dedicated and motivated. It is not always easy to work hard towards something that is difficult, but when you believe in yourself and work hard it will be easier. When you work hard and see results, others will notice. Those compliments will go far in helping you stay motivated day after day.

Another easy way to get motivated and stay motivated is to use uplifting music during your work. Maybe you are trying to clean your house or walk two miles day. Invest in a good portable music system, such as an MP3 player and fill it with music that will keep you moving. Even when you are not actively working on your goals, good music can help you think about what you want to accomplish and keep you excited about the next day.

When you work hard and dedicate yourself to accomplishing your goals, you will have the ability to stay motivated. Think about your goals and work with a partner, organize your life to accommodate your goals and stay dedicated. Almost any goal can be accomplished when you are motivated.

3 Simple Ways to Be More Disciplined

2011-05-07T19:49:00.002+02:00

Lack of self-discipline can often be an annoying “catch-22.” You find that you need a certain measure of self-discipline in order to become more disciplined, and not having it can cause you to go around in circles trying to make positive changes in your life.

If you are struggling to build up your level of self-discipline, it may not be as difficult as you think – provided you start with these 3 simple steps:

Start with willpower

Self-discipline eventually becomes a habit, just like any other activity you do on a regular basis. Until then, however, you are likely faced with the challenge of overcoming your other habits while trying to form new ones.

One good way to get over this hump is by asserting your willpower, consciously and repeatedly. “Willpower” is defined as “energetic determination.” That means making a conscious CHOICE to take a certain action (or to avoid taking certain other actions).

When you find your self-discipline slipping, remind yourself that you have the power to choose what you do or don’t do – by pure force of will. Avoid allowing outside influences to make your choices for you. Turn your attention inward and make a conscious decision about your actions.

Keep the end result in mind

The reason temptation is so seductive is that we get sidetracked by what we stand to gain right now, instead of what we stand to gain at some later time. Telling yourself you prefer a healthy, strong body six months from now may be difficult when you’re staring at a donut dripping with sweet, gooey icing. All you can think about is the pleasure you’ll gain from eating the donut now, rather than the benefits you’ll gain from sticking to your health program.

In order to keep temptation from sabotaging your self-discipline efforts, keep a strong reminder of your ultimate goal with you at all times. This can be a photograph from a magazine, a written description of your dream, or even a written vow to yourself.

When you feel tempted to abandon your goals for a momentary pleasure – stop and ask yourself if it’s really worth it. Take out your reminder and revisit your goal again. If the goal is still vitally important to you, you should have no trouble choosing the right action.

Repetition and reinforcement

Self-discipline is formed one decision at a time! You may think of self-discipline as something you either have or don’t, but it’s not usually that simple. Developing true self-discipline is an ongoing process, not a one-time event.

If you make this insight a part of your long-term plan, you cannot fail! Simply keep making conscious choices for yourself moment to moment, and your self-discipline will be formed as you go along.

In addition, be sure to keep giving yourself positive reinforcement. When you slip up, be sure NOT to beat yourself up over it. Instead, acknowledge that you made a poor choice, and make a better one next time. When you do make a positive choice, shout it from the rooftops! (At least inside your own mind.) Praise yourself and reward yourself for being able to stay aware and faithful to your long-term goal.

The more positive reinforcement you can give yourself, the less painful will be your journey to true self-discipline.