The Christian Science Monitor recently ran an essay on the value of puttering.
The thrust of the article was that we don’t putter much anymore. We spend too much time “getting things done.”
Accomplishment is great, but what if we all just stayed at home this Saturday and puttered?
I hear people talk about “avoiding stress,” and I wonder if they know what they really mean by that. I think what they mean is that they want to cut down on the negative stressors and the negative energy in their lives, increase the positive energy, and live a calmer, more peaceful life.
But what they want is not to “avoid stress.” What they want, really, is to react less to negative stressors and have a more positive response to their lives. The want to experience no distress.
Avoiding stress is not a practical solution, really, because stress is not something that is.
If you’re awake and aware in the modern world, you’re probably trying to change your life and your circumstances. That’s a luxury we have in our society. We have time to try to change ourselves as people, because we’re not spending all our time just trying to have enough food to get through the day.
With that luxury of the ability to change our lives comes a responsibility to try to be the best person you can be. I do believe that trying to improve ourselves is a responsibility, and that each of us has a duty to try to become our best.
We often hear people say, “Don’t settle for second best.” But if we really look at our lives, I bet a lot of what we have around us is second best.
There are a lot of reasons we settle, and sometimes they’re good reasons, at least temporarily. The problem comes when we forget that this settling was temporary, and that we had something big planned for the future. We get stuck in our settlement, and can’t find our way out.
Ok … you have all your productivity tools in place. You have a rock-solid time management system. You have a seemingly-workable plan. But something isn’t quite right. You feel that, now, more than ever, you’re being stretched beyond your limits.
Maybe what’s missing isn’t all the tools and techniques. Maybe it’s your strategy.
Positive Psychology is the most popular class at Harvard University, having enrolled 855 students last semester.
Are you astounded?
What attracts so many students to study happiness?
Is such a class really needed in today’s world?
“Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get.” ~ Dale Carnegie
This profound quote has been repeated again and again over the years. But what does it mean, and how can you apply it in everyday life?
In its simplest form, this simply suggests that success comes from achievement and accomplishment, and happiness is attained from appreciating and feeling grateful for what you attain and where you are.
This sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? But problems arise because we often times don’t know what we want.
Feeling the blues from all the rain we’ve had this past week? Otherwise looking for some cheery news? Looking for a good read this weekend?
There’s a great article in Men’s Health magazine that you must read.
Imagine my surprise when I picked up a copy on My Midwest Magazine, the in-flight monthly of Midwest Airlines, to find an article titled Smooth Landing quoting the Brazen Careerist Penelope Trunk.
Why was I taken aback? I’m a Penelope Trunk reader, after all. I shouldn’t have been caught unaware, as she’s featured in many publications and sites. What struck me was the topic: Getting back to work after your vacation is over.
Most people think they know themselves pretty well, but how well do you really know yourself? Do you know exactly how you feel about certain things and why, or do you tend to judge how you feel by how you think you should feel? Are you comfortable with your feelings and the “inner you,” or is that uncomfortable?
Getting to know yourself may be a little different from getting to know the new neighbor or that attractive co-worker in your building, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be harder to really get acquainted with you.
I will present present Slow Down FAST – 5 Secrets to Success: How to Begin Living YOUR Life YOUR Way in a groundbreaking FREE teleseminar event on Tuesday evening, September 11th.
According to a recent study of 1,148 adults nearly two thirds of parents say they don’t spend enough time with their children, while half say they must make their job a top priority – even if it affects their family life.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
David B. Bohl used to work 100 hours a week. His family took a backseat to his fast-moving, high-paying career, and he eventually paid the price in the form of exhaustion, stress and a non-existent family life. Bohl has since recovered from this work fanatic, pressure cooker life and has done a complete 180. He now focuses completely on his values, beliefs and ideals, and as a result enjoys total life balance between work and family, and coaches people on how to do the same.
In a word – yes (if you’re part of the statistical average).
If happiness increases with age, does unhappiness increase as well?
Why do people experience greater happiness as they age?
There are plenty of signs that lead you to the conclusion that it’s time to high tail it out of there, here are some tips,
by David Bohl “If you are unhappy with anything… whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you’ll find that when you are
Some of you have noticed that I have posted a book on My Reading List on my Squidoo page Who is David B. Bohl? titled “I Don’t Want To Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression” by Terrence Real. When I say “noticed”, I mean you’ve wondered to me what that’s all about.
It is true – Dr. Real’s book is about men and depression. But it is so much more. I think the book jacket does a great job when it states: “I Don’t Want To Talk About It offers great wisdom, hope, and practical guidance to men and their families. This is one of the most important and straightforward books ever written about men.”
What I get most from Terrence Real’s book is a person who understands me. If you’ll indulge me for a moment, I’ll explain.
Evan Carmichael wrote in a recent Youngentrepreneur blog post titled “How To Find Your Calling” and posed the following question: “So how do you find your calling and get into something you stick with?”
Evan referenced a Fast Company article that suggested three steps:
