<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Advanced Life Skills &#187; Focus</title>
	<atom:link href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/category/focus/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog</link>
	<description>Strategies for Positive Change</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Tue, 22 May 2012 20:20:39 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1</generator>
		<item>
		<title>Are You Distressed Over High Prices?</title>
		<link>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/are-you-distressed-over-high-prices/</link>
		<comments>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/are-you-distressed-over-high-prices/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:04:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jonathan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Focus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[abundance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gas prices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Money]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/?p=191</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The rising costs of gas, food and everything else is having a negative effect on many people’s state of mind these days. Do you find yourself  getting distressed over the current economic situation? High prices can definitely affect much more than our wallets, they can also influence our overall attitude and mindset.  Negative thoughts and feelings about money can easily rob us of our sense of joy and happiness, which puts us in the grip of negativity. It becomes like a big dark cloud blocking out our light. When we allow this to happen, realize it or not, we have [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="post_image_link" href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/are-you-distressed-over-high-prices/" title="Permanent link to Are You Distressed Over High Prices?"><img class="post_image alignright" src="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Distressed-Over-High-Prices.jpg" width="169" height="342" alt="Are You Distressed Over High Prices? " /></a>
</p><p>The rising costs of gas, food and everything else is having a negative effect on many people’s state of mind these days. Do you find yourself  getting distressed over the <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/how-to-stay-positive-even-when-you%E2%80%99re-surrounded-by-bad-news/" target="_blank">current economic situation</a>?</p>
<p>High prices can definitely affect much more than our wallets, they can also influence our overall attitude and mindset.  Negative thoughts and feelings about money can easily rob us of our sense of joy and happiness, which puts us in the grip of negativity. It becomes like a big dark cloud blocking out our light. When we allow this to happen, realize it or not, we have given our power to negativity.</p>
<p>Negative feelings prevent us from being a truly happy, loving, and abundant person. Abundance and lack cannot coexist. One or the other will always prevail.</p>
<h3><strong>Two opposing forces</strong></h3>
<p>Take a minute and focus on the words, <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/a-key-ingredient-of-true-happiness/" target="_blank">positive, happy, loving, abundant</a>. Those are good words aren’t they? They give us a positive and optimistic feeling.  That good feeling represents the way we truly want to be, our natural positive and loving state.</p>
<p>We actually block our ability to attract abundance into our lives when we hold the feeling that we lack money or any other resource. When we are confronted with high prices at the checkout stand or gas pump and we get distressed, it puts us in touch with these negative feelings.</p>
<h3><strong>Connecting the thoughts and feelings</strong></h3>
<p>Here’s how we can use these situations as an opportunity to raise our awareness and initiate a quantum shift from a mindset of lack to one of abundance.</p>
<p>The next time you find yourself in this kind of situation take a moment to notice if you are distressed about high prices. If so then you are in a mindset that is focused on lack. Our mind is only creative. It tries to create whatever we focus our attention on. If we hold in mind that prices are too high and we cannot afford it, our mind will immediately go to work to make that our reality.</p>
<h3><strong>Approval or disapproval?</strong></h3>
<p>When we don’t like something or feel distressed because of it, that means that we disapprove of it. By disapproving, we are sending negative energy to a situation we already see as negative. When we disapprove of anything or anyone we are feeding our consciousness with additional negative energy and compounding the problem.</p>
<p>When we make a decision and let go of the negativity and disapproval, we are releasing that negative energy from our consciousness. The next step is to project positive energy and approval into that situation, effectively replacing the negative with positive.</p>
<p>Granted, this shift in mindset won’t cause prices to come down, in fact they may even go up. What it will do is prevent external forces from having a negative influence on our sense of joy and abundance. When we <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/time-to-focus-on-abundance-instead-of-scarcity/" target="_blank">operate from abundance</a> we attract abundance into our life and free ourselves from the grip of negativity.</p>
<p><em>If you enjoyed this article, consider </em><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=advancedlifeskills/MClm" target="_blank"><em>email</em></a><em> or </em><a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/advancedlifeskills/MClm" target="_blank"><em>RSS</em></a><em> updates!</em></p>
<div id="crp_related"><h4>Related Articles:</h3><ul><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/key-ingredient-of-true-happiness/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">A key Ingredient of True Happiness</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/how-to-stay-positive-even-when-you%e2%80%99re-surrounded-by-bad-news/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">How to Stay Positive Even When You’re Surrounded by Bad News</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/time-to-focus-on-abundance-instead-of-scarcity/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Time to Focus on Abundance Instead of Scarcity</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/negative-talk-a-verbal-scorpion/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Negative Talk is like a Verbal Scorpion</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/fear-the-motivation-destroyer/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Fear &#8211; The Motivation Destroyer</a></li></ul></div> <img src="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?view=1&post_id=191" width="1" height="1" style="display: none;" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/are-you-distressed-over-high-prices/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Are You Creating What You Don&#8217;t Want?</title>
		<link>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/are-you-creating-what-you-dont-want/</link>
		<comments>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/are-you-creating-what-you-dont-want/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:39:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jonathan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Focus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[avoidance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Creating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[creative process]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Creativity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[manifest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[negative propaganda]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[target fixation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/?p=2692</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[All of us are very busy creating our personal reality. Creativity is a full-time job and we are all quite good at it. Problem is, most of the time we do this unconsciously. That means that there&#8217;s a strong likelihood we use our energy to manifest things we don&#8217;t really want. Because creativity is part of our nature we are usually not consciously aware of our role in the creative process. There is a natural tendency to resist the idea that we are the ones creating it. This is especially true when we manifest a reality that we don&#8217;t really [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="post_image_link" href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/are-you-creating-what-you-dont-want/" title="Permanent link to Are You Creating What You Don&#8217;t Want?"><img class="post_image alignright" src="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/creating-what-you-dont-want.jpg" width="215" height="305" alt="Dont slip on the ice" /></a>
</p><p>All of us are very busy <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/how-your-beliefs-create-your-reality-part-5/" target="_blank">creating our personal reality</a>. Creativity is a full-time job and we are all quite good at it. Problem is, most of the time we do this unconsciously. That means that there&#8217;s a strong likelihood we use our energy to manifest things we don&#8217;t really want.</p>
<p>Because creativity is part of our nature we are usually not consciously aware of our role in the <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/from-imagination-to-realization-bridging-the-gap/" target="_blank">creative process</a>. There is a natural tendency to resist the idea that we are the ones creating it. This is especially true when we manifest a reality that we don&#8217;t really like.</p>
<p>Until we are ready to acknowledge the role our personal creativity plays in our own reality we will probably continue to manifest results we would rather avoid.</p>
<h3><strong>Avoidance and the power of negative focus</strong></h3>
<p>We&#8217;ve talked many times about using the power of focus to help us accomplish our goals. But without direction, focus can actually cause us to manifest the very things we&#8217;re trying to avoid. In fact, an avoidance mindset can program us to use our creativity to continually produce the exact things we don&#8217;t want.</p>
<p>Here&#8217;s what happens when we try to avoid something. Let&#8217;s say it&#8217;s a cold winter day and there&#8217;s ice on the walkway. Obviously, you don&#8217;t want to slip on the ice and fall down. So, as you go out the door you think to yourself: &#8220;Be careful, don&#8217;t slip on the ice.&#8221;</p>
<h3><strong>What happens next?</strong></h3>
<p>Your mind cannot process the thought &#8220;don&#8217;t slip on the ice&#8221; without visualizing you slipping on the ice. What have you just done? You&#8217;ve just used your creativity to form a mental image of yourself slipping on the ice, and now that&#8217;s what you are focused on. The slicker the walkway, the more you will focus on that mental image.</p>
<p>Can you see where this is leading? You&#8217;re walking down a slippery path and your mind is focused on an image of you slipping and falling. The harder you focus, the more likely you are to slip and fall. In this case, you&#8217; ae using the power of focus to manifest the very situation you are trying to avoid.</p>
<h3><strong>Negative target fixation</strong></h3>
<p>Target fixation is a process by which the brain becomes locked onto an observed object. In an <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/what-is-holding-you-back/" target="_blank">avoidance</a> scenario, the observer can become so fixated on the target that they will forget to take the necessary action to avoid it, and end up colliding with the object.</p>
<p>This is a common issue for motorcyclists and mountain bikers. A motorcycle or bicycle will go where the rider is looking. When the rider has his attention fixated on an obstacle he wants to avoid, he greatly increases the chances of a collision. That&#8217;s the power of focus.</p>
<p>The same thing can happen when you visualize a situation you are trying to avoid. The harder you <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/how-focus-defines-our-life/" target="_blank">focus</a> on it, the greater the likelihood that you will manifest it. Focusing on the avoidance of a negative outcome actually increases the likelihood of that outcome.</p>
<h3><strong>Reprogramming our response</strong></h3>
<p>Understanding the human tendency to adopt an avoidance mindset affords us the power to overcome negative target fixation. Once we recognize that we are subconsciously programmed to focus on things we want to avoid, we can change our response.</p>
<p>To accomplish this, it&#8217;s important to acknowledge the role of external input on our focus. If we constantly expose ourselves to negative propaganda, such as the nightly news, it&#8217;s going to influence the direction of our focus.</p>
<p>If the talking heads are trying to convince us that we&#8217;re going to catch the next swine flu, lose our homes, or become a victim of identity theft, what kind of outcomes are we going to visualize? The fastest way to direct our <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/how-your-beliefs-create-your-reality-part-2/" target="_blank">creativity</a> toward a negative reality is to focus on negative things. Need proof? Just look at how many people manage to manifest  the exact reality they see on the nightly news.</p>
<h3><strong>What are you focusing on?</strong></h3>
<p>One of the things that reveals what we are focused on is our speech. Do you tend to talk about problems, or opportunities? Do you contribute to negative conversations, or do you endeavor to shift the conversation in a more positive direction?</p>
<p>Is your conversation encouraging, or discouraging? Do you talk about what&#8217;s wrong with your life, or do you share the things you&#8217;re grateful for? Do you have a complaining spirit, or do you look for the positive aspect of any situation?</p>
<p>Most of us like to think of ourselves as having a positive outlook. If that&#8217;s true, then it will be reflected in our conversations. So I encourage you to take a close look at your favorite topics for discussion, and see if there&#8217;s any room for adjustment. We tend to talk about the things that we are focused on.</p>
<h3><strong>Avoid avoidance (how&#8217;s that for an oxymoron?)</strong></h3>
<p>How do we avoid focusing on negative possibilities? We need to look past them and see our desired outcome. When a motorcyclists wants to avoid an obstacle, instead of getting trapped in negative target fixation he needs to look past that obstacle. He needs to focus on where he wants to be, not where he doesn&#8217;t want to be.</p>
<p>We can do the same thing! If we&#8217;re trying to get from our front door to the car over an slippery walkway, focus on the car instead of the walkway. If money is tight and bills are piling up, focus on income, not the possibility of poverty. If you want to <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/what-controls-your-happiness/" target="_blank">feel good</a> about your life, focus on the things you are <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/how-do-appreciation-and-gratitude-affect-your-life/" target="_blank">grateful</a> for instead of your problems.</p>
<h3><strong>Accept your creative role in your personal reality<br />
</strong></h3>
<p>If you don&#8217;t like the reality you have been creating you can change it. But to do that, you first need to accept your role in the creative process. You need to take responsibility for the reality you manifest. Once you do that you will <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/personal-excellence-with-advanced-life-skills/" target="_blank">empower yourself</a> to create the life you really want.</p>
<p>Don&#8217;t become a victim of negative target fixation. Don&#8217;t allow external influences to poison your mind with negative propaganda. Focus your creativity on where you want to be and fully accept your role in what you manifest. Then get ready to be amazed as the doors of possibility swing open and your life takes on a whole new dimension.</p>
<p><span style="color: #91532b;"><strong><em>Do you feel like the creator of your reality?<br />
Are you creating what you want, or don’t want?<br />
Have you ever struggled with negative target fixation?<br />
The lines are open!</em></strong></span></p>
<p><em>If you enjoyed this article, consider </em><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=advancedlifeskills/MClm" target="_blank"><em>email</em></a><em> or </em><a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/advancedlifeskills/MClm" target="_blank"><em>RSS</em></a><em> updates!</em></p>
<div id="crp_related"><h4>Related Articles:</h3><ul><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/negative-talk-a-verbal-scorpion/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Negative Talk is like a Verbal Scorpion</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/can-you-allow-appreciation-to-change-your-life/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Can You Allow Appreciation to Change Your Life?</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/six-simple-steps-to-improve-your-life-today/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">6 Simple Steps to Improve Your Life Today</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/7-roadblocks-to-personal-development/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">7 Roadblocks to Personal Development</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/allow-gratitude-to-transform-your-life/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Allow Gratitude to Transform Your Life</a></li></ul></div> <img src="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?view=1&post_id=2692" width="1" height="1" style="display: none;" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/are-you-creating-what-you-dont-want/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>33</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Do You Have Glory Day Syndrome?</title>
		<link>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/do-you-have-glory-day-syndrome/</link>
		<comments>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/do-you-have-glory-day-syndrome/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 Mar 2012 21:09:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jonathan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Focus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bruce springsteen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[disappointed]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Glory Day Syndrome]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[good old days]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[living in the past]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Motivation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shift]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/?p=1625</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently I was contacted by some old friends that I had not seen or heard from in about 36 years. Oh the power of the web! As we talked, I began to realize that they might be victims of what I like to refer to as Glory Day Syndrome, or GDS. I started to think about the limiting effects of this condition, and to wonder how many of our readers might be struggling with it as well. Glory Days Do you remember an old Bruce Springsteen song called Glory Days? The lyrics tell the tale of three people who look [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="post_image_link" href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/do-you-have-glory-day-syndrome/" title="Permanent link to Do You Have Glory Day Syndrome?"><img class="post_image alignnone" src="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/glory-days1.jpg" width="507" height="216" alt="Do You Have Glory Day Syndrome?" /></a>
</p><p>Recently I was contacted by some old friends that I had not seen or heard from in about 36 years. Oh the power of the web! As we talked, I began to realize that they might be victims of what I like to refer to as Glory Day Syndrome, or GDS. I started to think about the limiting effects of this condition, and to wonder how many of our readers might be struggling with it as well.</p>
<h3><strong>Glory Days</strong></h3>
<p>Do you remember an old Bruce Springsteen song called Glory Days? The lyrics tell the tale of three people who look back on times gone by with longing. Why? Because their current situation is <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/where-does-disappointment-come-from/" target="_blank">disappointing</a> and doesn’t measure up to the good old days. The last verse goes like this:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong><span style="color: #a47b32;">Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a47b32;"> a little of the glory of, well time slips away</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a47b32;"> and leaves you with nothing mister but</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a47b32;"> boring stories of glory days</span></strong></p></blockquote>
<h3><strong>It can happen to anyone!</strong></h3>
<p>In the song there are three completely different scenarios. The first guy was a star baseball player back in high school. Many years later, that’s what he still likes to talk about. The second was a woman who was very popular and could “turn all the boys heads” when she was in school. Now she is divorced with kids and very <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/empty-nest-syndrome-%E2%80%93-the-other-end-of-parenting/" target="_blank">disappointed by her situation</a>, so she talks about the good old days.</p>
<p>The third guy is a little different. He worked on an assembly line at Ford for twenty years and never had any glory days. In retrospect, his life seems boring without any real highlights to look back on in his <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/aging-redefined-versus-anti-aging/" target="_blank">old age</a>.</p>
<h3><strong>Can you relate to any of these scenarios?</strong></h3>
<p>For many, life just hasn’t lived up to their expectations. They started out excited, <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/maintaining-youthful-enthusiasm-at-any-age/" target="_blank">energetic</a>, and full of hope, and ended up feeling disappointed and let down. So what is it that allows others to feel totally excited by life and looking forward to each new day instead of thinking about those so called good old days?</p>
<p>Circumstances can certainly have a huge effect, but that’s not the answer. The way we know this is that many people are able to rise above the worst kind of circumstances and still maintain a positive, optimistic view of life. So there must be other factors involved.</p>
<h3><strong>What Glory Day Syndrome is not!</strong></h3>
<p>Hopefully, we all have fond memories associated with different times of our lives, times that stood out as special. We think of those times with great fondness and we enjoy reflecting on them. This is normal and healthy, even comforting. It is not Glory Day Syndrome unless we feel that life is not now, or will it ever be that good again.</p>
<p>As long as we can continue to look forward to tomorrow with a positive sense of eager anticipation then we are fine. In this case, our good old days are just the really memorable parts of our living experience. But our focus is still in the here and now, and we expect each coming day to be a positive and worthwhile experience.</p>
<h3><strong>OK, so what is it?</strong></h3>
<p>It’s all about where we choose to put our focus. If we are so emotionally invested in the past that it prevents us from seeing and appreciating the wonderment of our present life, then we’ve got GDS.</p>
<p>Imagine being on a journey and spending all your time looking in the rear-view mirror. Instead of seeing what’s all around, you would only see what is behind you. Instead of anticipating what is beyond the next bend, your view would only include the past. We all glance in the rear-view mirror from time to time, but our focus should be on where we are now, and where we are headed.</p>
<h3><strong>You can never go back</strong></h3>
<p>The past is exactly that, past. In other words, it’s gone and it’s not coming back. You can revisit the people and places, but you cannot relive the experience in the same way. We grow and change. Life is not static, and as the saying goes – time waits for no one.</p>
<p>Don’t waste today pining for yesterday. Make today your good old days and adopt the attitude that the best is still ahead. How can you do that?</p>
<h3><strong>Learning keeps life exciting</strong></h3>
<p>Our potential to learn and experience new things is almost inexhaustible. When our mind gets bored, our <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/7-ways-to-beat-the-boredom-blues/" target="_blank">life turns boring</a> and there is a tendency to think back to more exciting times. So make today exciting by learning new things. What have you always wanted to do? Well, stop wanting and start doing.</p>
<h3><strong>Create the life you want to live</strong></h3>
<p>There is no time to bust out of a rut like right now. Just because things have been a certain way for a long while doesn’t mean that they can’t change. You can change almost anything you want to, and you can start right now.</p>
<p>If you feel that you lack the skills to make serious changes in your life, don’t let that stop you. I wrote <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/true-self-amazon/" target="_blank">TRUE SELF</a> to quickly teach you everything you need to know to completely transform your life. So please, don’t allow the lack of a few simple skills to stand between you and a life you can get excited about.</p>
<p>Glory Day Syndrome is curable. All it takes is a shift in focus and a strong shot of motivation. Why would we want to keep looking behind us when tomorrow can be used to experience today’s dreams? I tell you with absolute certainty that if you want it, then the best is yet to come.</p>
<p><span style="color: #91532b;"><strong><em>Do you know someone with glory day syndrome?<br />
How do you feel about change?<br />
The lines are open!</em></strong></span></p>
<p><em>If you enjoyed this article, consider </em><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=advancedlifeskills/MClm" target="_blank"><em>email</em></a><em> or </em><a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/advancedlifeskills/MClm" target="_blank"><em>RSS</em></a><em> updates!</em></p>
<div id="crp_related"><h4>Related Articles:</h3><ul><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/maintaining-youthful-enthusiasm-at-any-age/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Maintaining Your Youthful Enthusiasm At Any Age</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/empty-nest-syndrome-%e2%80%93-the-other-end-of-parenting/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Empty Nest Syndrome – The Other End of Parenting</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/where-does-disappointment-come-from/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Where Does Disappointment Come From?</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/what-does-midlife-mean-to-you/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">What Does Midlife Mean to You?</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/aging-redefined-versus-anti-aging/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Aging Redefined versus Anti Aging</a></li></ul></div> <img src="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?view=1&post_id=1625" width="1" height="1" style="display: none;" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/do-you-have-glory-day-syndrome/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>22</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Focus &#8211; Visualize – Believe – Achieve!</title>
		<link>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/focus-visualize-%e2%80%93-believe-%e2%80%93-achieve/</link>
		<comments>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/focus-visualize-%e2%80%93-believe-%e2%80%93-achieve/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:03:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jonathan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Focus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[achieve]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[believe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[visualize]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/?p=117</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We all know that goals are fundamental to the accomplishment of things large and small. Every super achiever has the ability to set and follow through on their goals. But, have you ever wondered what is actually behind the proven power of goals? Whenever a success strategy has a proven track record for producing results, it can be advantageous to understand why. Once we identify where the power comes from, we immediately gain a greater appreciation for the value of each step involved. In addition, that understanding can help us to produce our desired results more consistently. The 3 part [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="post_image_link" href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/focus-visualize-%e2%80%93-believe-%e2%80%93-achieve/" title="Permanent link to Focus &#8211; Visualize – Believe – Achieve!"><img class="post_image alignright" src="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/achieve.jpg" width="210" height="271" alt="Focus - Visualize – Believe – Achieve!" /></a>
</p><p>We all know that goals are fundamental to the accomplishment of things large and small. Every super achiever has the ability to set and follow through on their goals. But, have you ever wondered what is actually behind <a href="../the-proven-power-of-goals/">the proven power of goals</a>?</p>
<p>Whenever a success strategy has a proven track record for producing results, it can be advantageous to understand why. Once we identify where the power comes from, we immediately gain a greater appreciation for the value of each step involved. In addition, that understanding can help us to produce our desired results more consistently.</p>
<h3><strong>The 3 part power source of goals</strong></h3>
<p><span style="color: #a47b32;"><strong>1. The focus factor. </strong></span>One of the primary reasons that goals work so well is because they provide a clearly defined target on which to focus our energy. With enough focus the human mind has the astounding ability to <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/what-it-takes-to-accomplish-your-dreams/" target="_blank">accomplish almost anything</a> it sets out to achieve. However, without a clearly defined target that ability to focus is too diffused to generate the necessary energy.<strong></strong></p>
<p>Goals work to focus our energies in the same way that a magnifying glass can capture sunlight and turn it into enough energy to start a fire. Anyone who has played with a magnifying glass quickly understands the principles of focused energy. When the diffused light hitting that glass is concentrated into a very small area, it generates enormous power. The same thing happens when a portion of the diffused energy you expend is concentrated toward the achievement of a clearly defined goal.</p>
<p><span style="color: #a47b32;"><strong>2. The visualization factor. </strong></span>Having<strong> </strong><a href="../goals-are-not-wishful-thinking/" target="_blank">crystal clear goals</a> also allows us to utilize power of visualization and unleash significantly more energy than what is available from goal-setting alone. This is because when we visualize we are able to recruit some of the resources of our subconscious mind.<strong> </strong>The key factor here is the fact that while our conscious mind can discern the difference between an actual experience and one that we visualize, the subconscious mind cannot.<strong></strong></p>
<p>A visualized event has the ability to program our nervous system because it is seen and felt in the subconscious as though it is actually happening. So, even though the visualized experience is imagined, neurologically there is an experiential form of seeing, feeling and knowing being created. This registers as an actual memory that fosters a sense of confidence based on the perception that we have already <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/5-ways-to-assure-success/" target="_blank">successfully</a> accomplished our goal. That’s the power of visualization!</p>
<p><span style="color: #a47b32;"><strong>3. The believe factor. </strong></span>During a masters golf tournament, Phil Mickelson was trailing by three strokes with only six holes left to play. He had to sink this very difficult putt if he was going to have any chance of winning. In his own words, Phil<span style="color: #a47b32;"><strong><em> “kept seeing and believing that things would work out for him that day.”</em></strong></span> And they did. He sank the putt, birdied another and then sank an improbable 20-footer on the 18<sup>th</sup> hole to win by one stroke.</p>
<p>How could he continue to believe in himself even when he was falling behind? It&#8217;s important to note that his winning belief was not a function of experience. Mickelson had the undesirable distinction of playing in 48 major tournaments and never winning any of them. At that time he was known for being the best golfer in the world never to have won a major golf tournament. But Mickelson had mentally rehearsed winning this tournament so many times that he came to truly believe that he would win. It was that unshakable belief coupled with his intense focus that led him to victory.</p>
<h3><strong>Focus + Visualization + Belief = Success</strong></h3>
<p><span style="color: #a47b32;"><strong>Your assignment this week</strong>:</span> Imagine that you are achieving a goal and celebrating how it feels. Do this 30 times a day over the next seven days. To your conscious mind, you may just be imagining something that might never happen. But to the part of you that controls your astounding ability to achieve almost anything, it actually did happen. In fact, it happened over 200 times!</p>
<p>When the pressure is on and you really need to come through, it is your ability to focus and the visualization based belief within you that will take over and lead you to success. Your conscious mind may have doubts, but your nervous system will be preprogrammed to do what it has already done more than 200 times before and your reality will rearrange itself accordingly.</p>
<p><span style="color: #510000;"><strong><em>Which of these 3 factors is your favorite?<br />
What are you programming yourself to achieve?<br />
The lines are open!</em></strong></span></p>
<p><em>If you enjoyed this article, consider </em><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=advancedlifeskills/MClm" target="_blank"><em>email</em></a><em> or </em><a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/advancedlifeskills/MClm" target="_blank"><em>RSS</em></a><em> updates!</em></p>
<div id="crp_related"><h4>Related Articles:</h3><ul><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/5-ways-to-assure-success/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">5 Ways to Assure Success</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/goal-setting-basics/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Goal Setting Basics</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/how-to-achieve-anything-you-want-in-your-life/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">How to Achieve Anything You Want In Your Life</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/5-ways-to-focus-on-success/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">5 Ways to Focus on Success</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/what-it-takes-to-accomplish-your-dreams/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">What It Takes to Accomplish Your Dreams</a></li></ul></div> <img src="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?view=1&post_id=117" width="1" height="1" style="display: none;" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/focus-visualize-%e2%80%93-believe-%e2%80%93-achieve/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>12</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Where’s Your Focus?</title>
		<link>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/where%e2%80%99s-your-focus/</link>
		<comments>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/where%e2%80%99s-your-focus/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:53:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jonathan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Focus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[awareness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[comfort]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[direction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thought]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/?p=573</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[How good are you at focusing your time and attention toward things that really matter?  In a world full of constant distractions, how often do you find yourself struggling to maintain your focus on the things that are truly important to you personally? The connection between what we choose to focus on and our current reality is often misunderstood. Increasingly, productivity is being replaced by busy work and as a result feelings of frustration are overtaking our sense of accomplishment.  Learning to purposely direct your focus will make it possible to reverse this trend. Focusing on priorities while avoiding distractions [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="post_image_link" href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/where%e2%80%99s-your-focus/" title="Permanent link to Where’s Your Focus?"><img class="post_image alignright" src="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/focus3.jpg" width="210" height="292" alt="Where’s Your Focus?" /></a>
</p><p>How good are you at focusing your time and attention toward things that really matter?  In a world full of constant distractions, how often do you find yourself struggling to maintain your focus on the things that are truly important to you personally?</p>
<p>The connection between what we choose to focus on and our current reality is often misunderstood. Increasingly, productivity is being replaced by busy work and as a result feelings of frustration are overtaking our sense of accomplishment.  Learning to purposely <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/5-ways-to-focus-on-success/" target="_blank">direct your focus</a> will make it possible to reverse this trend.</p>
<h3><strong>Focusing on priorities while avoiding distractions</strong></h3>
<p>Understanding how our mind uses focus to direct our attention gives us the ability to create a less frustrating and more targeted living experience. We control our perception of reality by controlling what we focus on. This is because focus brings one thing to the center of our attention while deemphasizing everything else.</p>
<p>When we focus on our priorities it also helps us to block out distractions. The less focused we are the more susceptible we become to every little distraction that comes along. And let’s face it; winning the battle against distractions is getting more challenging by the day.</p>
<h3><strong>Are you in command of your life’s priorities?</strong></h3>
<p>Many people have never actually taken the time to discover what is truly important to them. All through life our priorities are influenced by other people’s advice and expectations.  As a result, much of what we do in life is a reflection of those outside influences. And once life becomes a routine, there is a tendency to just keep doing what we have always done without giving it much thought.</p>
<p>Over time our mind and our nervous system gets programmed through repetition. This causes us to continue to pay attention to the things we have always paid attention to. Eventually we can find ourselves in a rut and running on autopilot. The problem with this approach is that life is constantly changing. If we just keep following our old routine, we could easily spend years putting our focus in a direction that does not reflect our true self.</p>
<h3><strong>Aligning our priorities with our true self</strong></h3>
<p>Before we can establish priorities that truly represent our core self, we need to take the time to discover who we really are. To do this requires that we step outside the programming of those external influences and connect with our deepest values, passions, and motives. But how do we do that?</p>
<p>As important as connecting with our true self is, it is not something that most people are taught through conventional channels. Consequently, it’s a process that many struggle with. In fact, recognizing this need is what moved me to lay it all out in a step-by-step format in my book <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/true-self-amazon/" target="_blank">TRUE SELF</a>. Only when we discover who we are on the deepest levels can we succeed in directing our focus toward the truly important things in life.</p>
<h3><strong>Putting it all together</strong></h3>
<p>So, just to be clear, let’s look at how focus helps us create a more meaningful reality. Whatever we focus on the most will eventually manifest in our life, but that will only be meaningful if it is in harmony with our true self. Because we have been influenced by external feedback all our lives, our concept of <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/true-self-is-who-you-are/" target="_blank">true self</a> is skewed toward the strongest or most unrelenting of those external influences. On top of that the constant barrage of distractions we are exposed to on a daily basis further clouds our perception of who we really are.</p>
<p>Having the right priorities in life is how you buy out the time and energy to put your focus where it will do the most good. For those priorities to be right for you as an individual, you must take the time to <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/know-your-true-self/" target="_blank">discover your true self</a>. Then you are in the position to align your priorities and to focus on the thoughts and activities that lead to a more fulfilling life experience.</p>
<h3><strong>Unleash the power of focus</strong></h3>
<p>Focus is a very powerful tool, especially when it is used in a way that aligns with and supports your authentic self. I encourage you to take the time to discover your unique inner person. Before you can harmonize your life and the amazing power of focus you need to distinguish the person you truly are from your response to outside influences and expectations.</p>
<p><span style="color: #a47b32;"><strong><em>How do you deal with distractions?<br />
Are you finding it challenging to keep your focus?<br />
Do you feel truly connected to your true self?</em></strong></span></p>
<p><em>Did you enjoy this article? Sign up for free </em><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=advancedlifeskills/MClm" target="_blank"><em>email</em></a><em> or </em><a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/advancedlifeskills/MClm" target="_blank"><em>RSS</em></a><em> updates!</em></p>
<p class="alert">My book TRUE SELF is the fastest inexpensive way (<a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/coaching/" target="_blank">coaching</a> is the fastest) to make positive life changes very quickly. Do you want to discover your core passions, dismantle your hidden, limiting beliefs, and realize your most desired goals? <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/true-self-amazon/" target="_blank">TRUE SELF</a> will guide you smoothly through the process.</p>
<div id="crp_related"><h4>Related Articles:</h3><ul><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/how-to-be-yourself/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">How to Be Yourself</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/are-you-ready-to-claim-the-life-you-really-want/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Are You Ready To Claim the Life You Really Want?</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/seeing-and-believing/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Personal Development, Seeing and Believing</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/know-your-true-self/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">How Well do You Know Your True Self?</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/true-self-is-who-you-are/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">TRUE SELF it&#8217;s Who You Are not What You Do!</a></li></ul></div> <img src="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?view=1&post_id=573" width="1" height="1" style="display: none;" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/where%e2%80%99s-your-focus/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>15</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>How a Perspective Shift Helps Create Balance</title>
		<link>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/perspective-shift/</link>
		<comments>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/perspective-shift/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Aug 2011 20:20:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jonathan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Focus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Balance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[balancing act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[big picture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[create]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[intentional]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[perspective]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shift]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/?p=6947</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yesterday was Monday and, as usual, I had a long list of things to do. Guess what, I didn’t do any of them because we took the day off and went to the coast. Not only did we have a wonderful time, but the whole experience left me feeling refreshed and more centered. I found myself thinking how ironic it is that we only live an hour from the beautiful southern Oregon coast and yet we rarely go there. Considering how much we enjoy the experience, it seems almost inexcusable that we don’t make the trip more often. How about [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="post_image_link" href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/perspective-shift/" title="Permanent link to How a Perspective Shift Helps Create Balance"><img class="post_image alignnone" src="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Oregon-beach.jpg" width="555" height="242" alt="How a Perspective Shift helps Create Balance" /></a>
</p><p>Yesterday was Monday and, as usual, I had a long list of things to do. Guess what, I didn’t do any of them because we took the day off and went to the coast. Not only did we have a wonderful time, but the whole experience left me feeling refreshed and more centered.</p>
<p>I found myself thinking how ironic it is that we only live an hour from the beautiful southern Oregon coast and yet we rarely go there. Considering how much we enjoy the experience, it seems almost inexcusable that we don’t make the trip more often.</p>
<h3><strong>How about you?</strong></h3>
<p>How often do you unplug from your regular routine and take a little time to relax, recharge, and just enjoy yourself? For <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/is-productivity-the-key-to-happiness/" target="_blank">productive people</a>, this can be one of the greatest challenges to living a balanced life.</p>
<p>How many times have you put your personal needs on the back burner while you allow other, more pressing activities to become your priority? And when you finally do take time for a much needed break, how often do you find yourself wondering <em>Why did I wait so long, what was I thinking?</em> In a case like this, shifting your perspective will often make the lack of balance more obvious.</p>
<p>Let’s face it, no matter how much we get accomplished, there is always one more thing that absolutely must get done. In reality, the list is never ending. Therefore, postponing your personal time and making it dependent on getting everything else done is not a viable solution.</p>
<h3><strong>Appreciating the benefits of a perspective shift</strong></h3>
<p>I think we all recognize the importance of taking a break from productivity to maintain a <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/can-you-live-a-balanced-life-with-a-cluttered-mind/" target="_blank">healthy sense of balance</a> in our lives. But this same kind of balancing act can also benefit us in almost every area of life. When we intentionally change our focus, we also shift our perspective. Doing so allows us to see things from a new and potentially beneficial vantage point.</p>
<p>We could use eye health to illustrate the practical benefits of such a perspective shift. If you read or stare at a computer screen for too long a period of time it strains your eyes. If you do it habitually it can eventually harm your vision. So, what do eye specialists suggest? They recommend that you regularly <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/how-focus-defines-our-life/" target="_blank">shift your focus</a> and spend a few minutes looking at something in the distance. Do you see the similarities?</p>
<h3><strong>Don’t let fixation shrink your world</strong></h3>
<p>I don’t know about you, but speaking for myself, I have noticed that sometimes there is a fine line between focused and fixated. What’s the difference? When we focus on something so much that it throws everything else in life out of balance, we have ventured into the land of fixation.</p>
<p>Being fixated involves an obsession. It’s the difference between a productive person and a workaholic, or a fitness enthusiast and a gym rat. If we allow any single area of life to create an obvious imbalance in every other area, it will shrink our world and narrow our perception.</p>
<p>Granted, short periods of very intense focus may be the only way to accomplish important goals. In such cases, we need to keep an eye on our <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/seeking-balance-in-an-unbalanced-world/" target="_blank">overall balance</a> and be willing to rein ourselves back if the wheel of our life gets out of balance and starts to wobble.</p>
<h3><strong>5 areas where a perspective shift helps create balance </strong></h3>
<p>Here are five areas of life where we can give attention to our focus and initiate intentional shifts in our perspective to help maintain our sense of balance.</p>
<p><span style="color: #652000;"><strong>1. Balance work and play.</strong></span> We’ve already covered this pretty well, but it is an area that deserves careful monitoring. This is especially true for very <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/can-productivity-be-a-trap/" target="_blank">productive</a>, over achiever types. It is also valid for those who tend to put recreation ahead of everything else in life.</p>
<p><span style="color: #652000;"><strong>2. Balance mental and physical activities.</strong></span> We’ve all heard the expression move it or lose it and this applies equally to our mind and body. Never forget that the mind and body relationship is very synergistic. If you ignore one, the other will suffer. Don’t deceive yourself into thinking that you <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/time-money-productivity-and-life/" target="_blank">don’t have time</a> to eat good food and get regular exercise. The truth is you really can’t afford not to.</p>
<p><span style="color: #652000;"><strong>3. Be an observer and a participator.</strong></span> There are incredible benefits to carefully observing the world around you. It is one of the primary ways that we learn. But there is something that we should never forget – life is not a spectator sport. Life is for living and that means that we need to fully participate if we want our life to be a rich and rewarding experience.</p>
<p><span style="color: #652000;"><strong>4. Balance macro and micro focus.</strong></span> This means that we need to make an effort to see both the big picture as well as the details. If we focus exclusively on details we might become like the person who can’t see the forest for the trees. On the other hand, if all we look at is the big picture we will miss the richness of life that comes from appreciating the intricacy that make the big picture possible.</p>
<p><span style="color: #652000;"><strong>5. Balance interaction with solitude.</strong></span> Being around other people can add so much fullness to life. We are social creatures and the need for different levels of connection seems to be hardwired into our nervous systems. But it is in solitude that we connect with our <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/know-your-true-self/" target="_blank">deeper self</a> and have time to reflect on and appreciate our place in the tapestry of life. Don’t forget to take time to be alone with your thoughts and connect with your <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/7-vital-connections-making-up-your-true-self/" target="_blank">true self</a>.</p>
<p><span style="color: #652000;"><strong><em>Do you struggle for balance in any of these areas?<br />
How do you use a shift in perspective to create balance?<br />
The lines are open!</em></strong></span><em></p>
<p>If you enjoyed this article, consider </em><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=advancedlifeskills/MClm" target="_blank"><em>email</em></a><em> or </em><a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/advancedlifeskills/MClm" target="_blank"><em>RSS</em></a><em> updates!</em></p>
<div id="crp_related"><h4>Related Articles:</h3><ul><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/seeking-balance-in-an-unbalanced-world/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Seeking Balance in an Unbalanced World</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/can-you-live-a-balanced-life-with-a-cluttered-mind/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Can You Live a Balanced Life with a Cluttered Mind?</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/3-ways-to-reduce-feelings-of-stress/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Are You Feeling Stressed Out?</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/is-productivity-the-key-to-happiness/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Is Productivity the Key to Happiness?</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/time-money-productivity-and-life/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Time, Money, Productivity, and Life</a></li></ul></div> <img src="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?view=1&post_id=6947" width="1" height="1" style="display: none;" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/perspective-shift/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>25</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>6 Simple Steps to Improve Your Life Today</title>
		<link>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/six-simple-steps-to-improve-your-life-today/</link>
		<comments>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/six-simple-steps-to-improve-your-life-today/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Jun 2011 18:14:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jonathan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Focus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Improve your life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[self-help]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/?p=162</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Would you like to rearrange your current reality? Do you feel like you are ready to begin creating your life by design and manifesting the things you truly desire? If so, then I would like to share six simple steps that you can begin taking right now to help you improve your life. 1. Focus on what you intend to manifest. Quit focusing on what is missing from your life. This includes what you don’t want to see happen. As soon as you become aware that you are focusing on what you don’t have, choose a different thought. Shift your [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="post_image_link" href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/six-simple-steps-to-improve-your-life-today/" title="Permanent link to 6 Simple Steps to Improve Your Life Today"><img class="post_image alignright" src="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/improve-Your-Life.jpg" width="220" height="320" alt="Improve Your Life Today" /></a>
</p><p>Would you like to rearrange your current reality? Do you feel like you are ready to begin creating your life by design and manifesting the things you truly desire? If so, then I would like to share six simple steps that you can begin taking right now to help you improve your life.</p>
<p><span style="color: #a47b32;"><strong>1. Focus on what you intend to manifest</strong>.</span> Quit focusing on what is missing from your life. This includes what you don’t want to see happen. As soon as you become aware that you are focusing on what you don’t have, choose a different thought. <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/how-to-expect-the-best/" target="_blank">Shift your focus</a> to what you intend to attract and manifest in your life. Put yourself in a state of receiving and accepting and move away from the state of lacking or wanting.</p>
<p><span style="color: #a47b32;"><strong>2. Stop struggling</strong>.</span> If you find yourself viewing your present circumstances as the reason why you can’t have what you want, stop thinking that way. Whatever difficulties you are currently facing, know they are only temporary and will last only as long as you continue to give them your attention. You attract what you focus on so move your focus away from your <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/how-to-stay-positive-even-when-you%E2%80%99re-surrounded-by-bad-news/" target="_blank">current difficulties</a> and end the struggle.</p>
<p><span style="color: #a47b32;"><strong>3. Live in the here and now</strong>.</span> Focusing on the past will just program you for more of the same. If you find yourself thinking about how things have always been, change your focus! If you keep doing things the same old way, you will keep getting the same old results. What’s the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results! Focus on the present; learn to live in the here and now.</p>
<p><span style="color: #a47b32;"><strong>4. Quit telling the same old stories</strong>.</span> Stop sharing your worn out tales of woe with others. When you quit telling your dramatic story, you won’t have to live up to those stories anymore. Replaying those stories is the same as reliving them. It’s impossible to move forward when you’re always looking backward.</p>
<p><span style="color: #a47b32;"><strong>5. Do it for YOU!</strong></span> Don’t worry about what others expect of you, or think is best for you. Everyone has an opinion on how you should live your life. When you feel pressure to live up to someone else’s expectations, stop and consider whether or not their expectations are in harmony with yours, if not, do what&#8217;s best for you. You are creating your own life and you need to live accordingly.</p>
<p><span style="color: #a47b32;"><strong>6. Don’t create negative energy</strong>.</span> Try to let go of making unqualified judgments. Don’t decide a situation or a person is good or bad, right or wrong. Passing judgment requires emotional involvement and this practice only creates negative energy. Remember, like attracts like, so, beware of attracting into your life the very thing you are judging in the life of others.</p>
<h3><strong>There is more power here than you might think</strong></h3>
<p>I know that on their own these six steps probably don’t seem significant enough to change the course of your life. That’s because they are designed to create a subtle shift rather than a radical change in direction. But don’t underestimate the results from a three degree shift in course.</p>
<p>If you were flying from New York to London and the pilot was just one degree off course the whole time you would probably miss Europe altogether. <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/expect-success-and-nothing-less/" target="_blank">Changing your life</a> is often a case of making small adjustments that produce huge benefits in the long run. If you improve your life with small changes today the results will compound over time.</p>
<p><span style="color: #91532b;"><strong><em>Can small changes really yield significant results?<br />
Do you see room for any of these simple steps in your life?<br />
The lines are open!</em></strong></span></p>
<p><em>If you enjoyed this article, consider <a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=advancedlifeskills/MClm" target="_blank">email</a> or <a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/advancedlifeskills/MClm" target="_blank">RSS</a> updates!</em></p>
<div id="crp_related"><h4>Related Articles:</h3><ul><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/how-to-expect-the-best/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">How to Expect the Best</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/expect-success-and-nothing-less/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Expect Success and Nothing Less</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/how-do-appreciation-and-gratitude-affect-your-life/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">How Do Appreciation &#038; Gratitude Affect Your Life?</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/11-high-powered-personal-achievement-principles/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">11 High Powered Personal Achievement Principles</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/7-roadblocks-to-personal-development/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">7 Roadblocks to Personal Development</a></li></ul></div> <img src="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?view=1&post_id=162" width="1" height="1" style="display: none;" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/six-simple-steps-to-improve-your-life-today/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>18</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Use Questions to Change Your Mindset – Part 3</title>
		<link>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/use-questions-to-change-your-mindset-%e2%80%93-part-3/</link>
		<comments>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/use-questions-to-change-your-mindset-%e2%80%93-part-3/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:05:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jonathan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Focus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[designing questions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Empowerment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grateful]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Questions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[right questions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/use-questions-to-change-your-mindset-%e2%80%93-part-3/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The last two articles in this series have helped us build a solid appreciation for the value of using questions to change both our focus and our mindset. We also learned exactly what kind of questions are needed to direct our focus in a positive direction. Now it&#8217;s time to consider some specific ways that we can make practical application of this empowering skill and put it to use in our lives. To fully benefit from the power of questions we need a way to integrate what we have learned into our daily routine. Specifically, we need to develop the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="post_image_link" href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/use-questions-to-change-your-mindset-%e2%80%93-part-3/" title="Permanent link to Use Questions to Change Your Mindset – Part 3"><img class="post_image alignright" src="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Q1.3.jpg" width="210" height="299" alt="Use Questions to Change Your Mindset – Part 3" /></a>
</p><p>The last two articles in this <a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/use-questions-to-change-your-mindset/" target="_blank">series</a> have helped us build a solid appreciation for the value of <a href="../personal-development-tools/">using questions</a> to change both our focus and our mindset. We also learned exactly what kind of questions are needed to direct our focus in a positive direction. Now it&#8217;s time to consider some specific ways that we can make practical application of this empowering skill and put it to use in our lives.</p>
<p>To fully benefit from the power of questions we need a way to integrate what we have learned into our daily routine. Specifically, we need to develop the habit of intentionally using questions to <a href="../using-applied-focus-sessions-to-boost-productivity/">direct our focus</a> and control our mindset in a constructive manner.</p>
<h3><strong>First thing in the morning</strong></h3>
<p>Every morning when we wake up it is a natural part of our thinking process to ask ourselves questions about the day, so this is a perfect time to practice. Asking the right questions first thing in the morning will help ensure that <a href="../how-focus-defines-our-life/">our focus is pointed in a productive and empowering direction</a> all day long.</p>
<p>So here’s a list of possible questions that you can start asking yourself every morning beginning tomorrow. These questions are specifically designed to have a positive effect on your levels of joy, commitment and self-esteem.</p>
<p>1) <span style="color: #a47b32;"><strong><em>What is there about my life that makes me feel happy right now?</em></strong></span><br />
2) <span style="color: #a47b32;"><strong><em>What is going on in my life today that I can get excited about?</em></strong></span><br />
3) <span style="color: #a47b32;"><strong><em>What do I feel truly grateful for right now?</em></strong></span><br />
4) <span style="color: #a47b32;"><strong><em>What am I really looking forward to today?</em></strong></span><br />
5) <span style="color: #a47b32;"><strong><em>Who do I love and who loves me?</em></strong></span></p>
<p>If you have difficulty answering any of these questions simply insert the word “could” into the question. For example, in question #1 – What is there about my life that could make me feel happy right now?</p>
<p>Take some time to consider these questions as you go about your morning routine. Remember, it’s not the asking of questions that creates results, it’s the <a href="../want-better-answers-ask-better-questions/">answers</a>. As you come up with your own answers to each question, be sure to take a moment and experience how that answer makes you feel.</p>
<h3><strong>Do it every day for at least ten days!</strong></h3>
<p>By developing a routine of asking yourself questions like these every morning, you will begin to create a pattern. After a while, not only will the questions come automatically, but so will an increased level of <a href="../can-you-allow-appreciation-to-change-your-life/">appreciation</a> for the answers. The answers to these questions are an important part of what makes life worth living.</p>
<p>Being aware of our blessings first thing in the morning can completely change our entire day. Those questions will follow us throughout the day and we will find ourselves looking for more reasons to feel happy, to get excited and to be grateful. This is a perfect example of the power of simple questions to change our focus, motivation and results in any aspect of our life.</p>
<p>Remember, the whole purpose of this exercise is to take conscious control of what we allow our minds to focus on. So another important point to consider is this: These questions are designed to trigger our minds to think in positive directions and to discover encouraging answers. They are not designed for <a href="../has-your-analytical-mind-taken-over-your-life/">overanalyzing and scrutinizing</a> our every thought and feeling. So don’t let yourself get too carried away. <strong><em><span style="color: #a47b32;">Know when to quit asking and start answering.</span><br />
</em></strong></p>
<h3><strong>When designing questions always include a positive assumption</strong></h3>
<p>When you are designing questions for yourself, make sure that they always include a positive assumption about the answer. For example, all of the questions above assume something. Question #1 assumes that there is something to feel happy about right now just as question #2 assumes there is something to be excited about. These type of assumptions give your mind both direction and <a href="../renew-your-motivation/">motivation</a>.</p>
<p>The mind considers those assumptions to be facts; consequently it will find answers that support those facts. By constructing your own personal questions this way you will empower yourself with the ability to change almost any aspect of your life.</p>
<p><span style="color: #3c0004;"><strong><em>How do you feel about the power of questions now?<br />
Have you found the information in these articles useful?<br />
The lines are open!</em></strong></span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="color: #a47b32;">This is the 3<sup>rd</sup> in a series of 3 articles showing how</span><br />
<span style="color: #a47b32;"> you can <strong><em>Use Questions to Change Your Mindset</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #a47b32;"> <a href="../use-questions-to-change-your-mindset/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a47b32;">Use questions to Change your Mindset – Part 1</span></a></span><br />
<span style="color: #a47b32;"> <a href="../use-questions-to-change-your-mindset-%E2%80%93-part-2/"><span style="color: #a47b32;">Use questions to Change your Mindset – Part 2</span></a></span></p></blockquote>
<p><em>If you enjoyed this article, consider <a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=advancedlifeskills/MClm" target="_blank">email</a> or <a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/advancedlifeskills/MClm" target="_blank">RSS</a> updates!</em></p>
<div id="crp_related"><h4>Related Articles:</h3><ul><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/use-questions-to-change-your-mindset/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Use Questions to Change Your Mindset</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/use-questions-to-change-your-mindset-%e2%80%93-part-2/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Use Questions to Change Your Mindset – Part 2</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/want-better-answers-ask-better-questions/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Want Better Answers &#8211; Ask Better Questions</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/3-simple-questions-that-will-change-your-life/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">3 Simple Questions That Will Change Your Life</a></li><li><a href="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/personal-development-tools/" rel="bookmark" class="crp_title">Use Questions as Personal Development Tools</a></li></ul></div> <img src="http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-feed-statistics/feed-statistics.php?view=1&post_id=65" width="1" height="1" style="display: none;" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/use-questions-to-change-your-mindset-%e2%80%93-part-3/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>15</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

<!-- Performance optimized by W3 Total Cache. Learn more: http://www.w3-edge.com/wordpress-plugins/

Page Caching using disk: enhanced
Database Caching 70/142 queries in 0.884 seconds using disk: basic

Served from: advancedlifeskills.com @ 2012-05-23 02:10:31 -->
