Self Improvement Resources

Change can either be good or bad; but in whatever form it takes, there's only one reason why change occurs - it is to set aside the past and look ahead to the future.

Although leaving your comfort zone is a tough thing to do, there is always a way for you to move forward and meet these changes successfully.

* Acceptance.
You have to realize that change is inevitable and no matter how hard you try to run away from it, things eventually happen if they are destined to happen.

It is true that the only thing that is constant is change, so always be flexible. Admitting that change is already happening or just actually happened is hard but denying it will not make things easier.

* Look on the Brighter Side.
View change as an avenue for growth. You may not like the transformation at first but most likely, you will get used to it soon.

Be optimistic and keep your head up high. Who knows what is in store for you? Keep in mind that there is always a reason for everything and look at the changes around you in a different perspective.

* Let go. Letting go is one of the hardest things to do.
Letting go of things that were part of your routine doesn't happen overnight. Stop dwelling on the past, move on, make your first step forward and accept the change with open arms.

Letting go is easier said than done but it does not mean that you cannot do it. You have to realize that you need to let go to give way for new things in your life.

Letting go is a process everyone needs to undergo in life. Every now and then, you have to sacrifice something or someone in order to start anew, oftentimes, for the better.

* Focus.
Focus on what is left and not on what is lost. Rest for a while, concentrate on the next step and give all your attention into it.

Do not look back, just go forward and confront the changes that are already in front of you.

* Do not Stagnate Yourself.
Change does not mean that it is already the end of the world and you have to paralyze yourself. Do not let fear of change stop your world from evolving.

Do not resist rather just go with the flow and see where change will take you. Remember that you control your life so do not let change control you.

Some people are born geniuses; fortunate enough to have the capacity create great ideas and contribute in this world during their lifetime.

You have that same potential. You don't need be an Einstein or a Mozart to realize your potential. You just have to be able to maximize your intellectual potential.

There is a skill called brain enhancement. Enhancing your brainpower will definitely allow you to do more things and make you more efficient.

What Can Brain Enhancement Do to You?

For one thing, solving problems will be easier. You also learn and discover things faster than you ordinarily do. It also improves the way you regard yourself and the way you relate to others.

Definitely, enhancing the powers of your brain is one thing to aim for.

How to Enhance Your Brain
There are many ways how you can improve your brain skills. Here are some of the things that will give you the desired results in your mental prowess effectively.

1. Treat Your Body with Care
The brain functions best in a healthy body. It is important that you take care of your body above all. Keep in mind that your mind's energy depends on your body. Factors like bad diet, stress and lack of sleep will not only make your body weak. It will also affect the way your brain functions.

The first thing to do is to give your body the proper disposition to enable it to do the mental exercises.

Get enough sleep, eat the right kinds of food and stay away from stressful situations.

2. Stimulate Your Mind Regularly
You may have certain topics of interest. Use these to stimulate your mind. It will help to have visual image of your ideas to keep your interest level up.

3. Learn More About the Things You Believe In
Sometimes, believing in yourself that you are smart will really make you feel smart. You can do this through affirmations.

However, it is best to take positive action to learn more about your interests. Instead of simply telling yourself that you are creative, try doing more things that are more creative.

4. Write about Things
Writing is an effective way for you to learn and remember things. It has a certain effect that allows your brain to clarify the ideas that you have just come across.

Diaries, journal entries, poetry and even simple taking down of notes will definitely give your brain functions a good boost. These can also make you more creative and analytical.

5. Listen to Good Music
Studies show that listening to the right type of music will make your brain more receptive to information and process better. Good choices would be listening to baroque music or compositions by Mozart.

6. Do Aromatherapy
Many people claim that aromatherapy can also work well in relaxing your mind and making it more receptive to ideas and facts. Rosemary herb is particularly helpful to the brain. Studies show that this herb can help perk up your brain function.

You need to develop the right attitude when doing all these steps. Enhancing your brainpower will take effort but it's worth it.

You definitely want to maximize your full potential and reap the rewards.

Researchers believe nobody can improve their intelligence quotient or IQ.

If you ask the experts why, they will probably give you a scientific definition of intelligence coupled with how the human brains worked.

However, if what you want are real action and you are not really concerned with mere explanations, then read on and you will surely pick a few quick brainpower doses.

First, try taking deeper breaths.
A lot of people do not realize that breathing properly is the easiest way of improving one's brainpower.

When you breathe deeply, your body starts to relax which allows it to absorb more oxygen, and thus the brain gets a better supply of oxygen, too.

Studies have shown that low levels of oxygen in the brain deteriorate it. You won't be able to optimize the power of your brain.

So start breathing deeply from now on. Just an additional tip, breathe through your nose, as you are more likely to breathe shallowly if you don't.

This is also the reason why meditation can largely improve your intelligent quotient. Meditating involves deep breathing and promotes relaxation. It also helps your ability to remain focused on the task at hand.

Good posture and regular exercise also enhance your brain power. You can make a simple experiment on this. Try mentally solving math problems while slouching and then while sitting straight up. When your body is comfortable, your brain follows.

Regular exercise doesn't mean you'll have to enroll yourself in a gym or start playing strenuous sports. A little walk for a few minutes or simple aerobic exercises done regularly should be enough to pump more blood and get your brain working.

Of course, sleep also contributes to an increase in your intelligent quotient. Take note that the quality of your sleep is just as important as its quantity. Make sure you're sleeping well. A well-rested body means a well-rested brain that can perform at its best.

Drinking tea also enhances your memory and concentration. For decades, herbal supplements such as gingko are believed to increase the flow of blood to the brain. Like coffee, the effect is quick but unlike coffee, it doesn't have long-term adverse effects for regular consumers.

A lot of people also testify that sniffing rosemary herbs wakes up their brains. If you have this common herb available, you might want to give it a try.

Sugar should also be avoided. Large intake of sugar and carbohydrates make you feel uncomfortable, making it difficult to think. This is because of insulin. So before any important meetings or exams, avoid sugar, potatoes and other carbohydrate-rich foods.

Researches have also found out that listening to classic music such as those composed by Mozart or Beethoven helps in improving a child's IQ. Those who were exposed to classical music show better ability in solving puzzles and scores higher in spatial reasoning intelligence tests.

Writing is also good for the mind. It exercises your creativity and improves analytical thinking. Just by simply keeping a diary or an idea journal will boost your intelligence.

You could also talk things out to a friend. Whenever you try to talk or explain something, you have the chance to improve your own understanding of the matter.

However, avoid engaging in unnecessary discussions. Debates are good but when you take it further just to win the argument, then your ego starts to take over and your mind closes.

Then the most important tip you could probably get to enhance you IQ is to believe you are smart.

Think of all the situations where you've shown your creativity or intelligence and you'll soon re-experience them.

Positive thinking also brings impressive results you never thought you could do.

You don't have to be a certified genius to think like one.

When you learn how to think like a genius, you'll soon reap the kind of rewards that used to be exclusive for people ten times more creative and smarter than you.

Start Thinking Out of the Box
Don't allow yourself to be limited and restricted by traditions and conventions!

You should always tell yourself that you can do something that's not expected. Although people who think out of the box are usually those with definite artistic talents, working in a regular office doesn't mean you can't let your creative juices flow. Just persist in proving your critics wrong and you'll stay on the right track.

Have a Strong Dose of Confidence in Yourself
Geniuses aren't all arrogant or conceited, but they do have a healthy dose of self-confidence. They know what they want, they know what they can do, and they know what they should do. They don't let anything stop them from reaching their goals if they know they deserve it.

Have a Realistic Goal
At the same time, geniuses are smart enough not to reach for the moon - figuratively speaking, that is.

All their goals are SMART - specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. Their goals may not be smart for others, but they definitely believe that it's smart for them, and in most cases, that's all that counts.

Maximize the Power of Visualization
Many people wonder how geniuses were able to create or invent such wonderful products or services. The answer to this is simple: they have powerful visualization skills.

They can picture in their minds what they wish to happen in the future. As time passes by, the picture becomes clearer and sharper until it becomes reality.

If you want to succeed in life, you need to think like a genius and that includes being able to see in your mind where you want to be in the future.

Use Self-Affirmation
Reminding yourself about your goals, talents, skills, and abilities will strengthen your resolve in achieving your goals. Geniuses are smart enough to recognize the importance of motivation and inspiration and the role it plays in one's life.

If you wish to be as successful as most geniuses are, you need to remind yourself constantly that you deserve and are capable of obtaining such success.

Don't Be Afraid to Take Risks
Geniuses are rarely afraid to take risks because they know that taking risks is usually the only way for people to make new discoveries and take advantage of new opportunities.

Of course, being willing to take risks doesn't mean you should take all sorts of risks without thinking the matter completely.

Use both facts and intuition to analyze if the risk you're about to take is sensible.

Don't Stop Asking
Lastly, it's important that you don't stop asking questions. Geniuses are the way they are because they're eager to learn things all the time.

If you want to find out the same things they know, you need to question incessantly about everything.

Learning how to think like a genius and making a conscious effort to do so at all times will not only give you the rewards you desire but also cause you to become one yourself in time.

Nothing in this world is impossible and that's something only geniuses understand and believe in!

The only thing constant in life is change. Change can be an exciting part of one's life or it can be a daunting experience.

However, changes can be manageable if you are prepared to handle them. Since change is so much a part of our lives, don't you think it is a good idea to learn how to manage it without stress?

In life, you can easily recognize change. You either embrace it, or reject it. Acknowledging and accepting change already gets you a long way in accepting change.

However, if you are still having difficulties in handling it, here are some suggestions that you can do:

1. Evaluate yourself and try to understand your reactions to change.
Are you the type of person who resists change or are you the type who dives in and becomes excited when it comes?

If you can understand how you react to change, you can interact with others better during the difficult times.

2. Transition is a part of the process of how you deal with change.
It has three stages:
a) endings -the grieving stage of the good old days;
b) the neutral zone -a stage of ambiguity and not sure of the new way; and,
c) new beginnings - a stage when the coast is clear, and you are ready to accept the new things on the way.

If you can identify which stage you are in, then you can understand better on what you need to do. It is important to be aware of this because other people might be experiencing also the same change as you have.

It is always better to know you are not alone in adjusting to new things. It makes the transition better.

3. Be careful in responding to change and transition.
People's ways are habit-forming and they often develop routines. Disruptions can be nerve-wracking and can stir up emotions - mostly of the negative kind.

Ask yourself questions in handling change like:
a) purpose - reason for the change and why the changes?;
b) picture - result of the change, the destination;
c) plan - how to get to the next stage?; and,
d) part - the role that you are about to play and where do you position yourself?

4. Help others. Since you know how to handle change in your life, it is time for you to help others who are the same situation and are struggling with the changes in their own lives.

Furthermore, to help you sharpen your ability to handle change and to provide you with some self-help therapies, here are some ways to soothe and calm your nerves:

* Do some physical activities like sports and exercise. This will help release pressure from your body.

* Share feelings and thoughts that cause you stress. If you think your problem is something serious, you may want to ask for professional help from a counselor or psychologist. Be aware of when to ask help.

* Set boundaries. If you think you cannot handle the situation, do not fight it and learn to accept it until the time that you already have the capacity to change it.

* Always remember to take care of yourself. Never neglect what your body needs and learn to read your body's signals. Eat well and get enough rest.

* Have fun. Do not overwork yourself and schedule some time for recreation. Stop and take time to smell the roses.

* Be a participant. Do some volunteer work in your community to help you divert your attention to something worthwhile. You can also meet new friends along the way.

* Try accomplishing your list of tasks. The tendency for stressed people is to forget about important tasks. List them all down so you do not forget what needs to be done.

* Do not play the Mr. or Ms. Right all the time. Give and take is the best setup you can find at this time.

* If you want to cry; cry. Crying is a healthy way of releasing pressure and stress.

* Relax. If you feel tired of your environment, make that escape by reading a book or creating music to bring a sense of peace and tranquility.

* Never attempt to do self-medication. This can cause more harm than good for you.

Changes in life may leave you burned out but with a little help from yourself can make a whole lot of difference.

Indulge yourself once in a while to distress yourself. Accept change and adapt. That is how people live and survive.

You can't please everybody; there will always be someone you know who isn't very pleased with you.

In fact some may even hate you. Even within the circle of your friends, you cannot be assured that all of them like being around you. Have you ever thought of the reasons why?

But whatever the reasons are, here are some tips that will surely help you be that type of friend everyone wishes to have.

* Be Your Friend's Number One Cheerleader. Bring out the best from your friend. For example, if your friend is joining a play in school, be one of the early birds and sit on the front row to take a closer view and applaud for him/her.

If he or she is down in the dumps, be the first one to come rushing to your friend for a quick "pick me up on a bad day." Chances are, they'll appreciate it.

* Learn the Art of Sharing Secrets.
When your friend tells you something that is supposed to be a secret, it should remain as is. That's why it's called the art of sharing secrets.

You share secrets and by the term itself, it shouldn't be spilled to anyone. Standing by your words to keep your buddy's hush-hush would earn you his/her trust.

* Be Sensitive Enough.
If your friend needs time to be alone and think, let him/her be. Sure, you are concerned but when they say they want some time alone, give it to them. Don't force them to go out and join you in the latest outing if they don't want to. There is always a time for everything.

There's a time to play pranks and jokes and there's also a time for being serious. If you are really a good friend, you'll stick with your pal regardless of the weather. Know when to keep quiet and listen if needed. Give them enough space to think about their life.

* Mark that Calendar.
Nothing warms the heart of anyone than the thought of knowing that someone actually remembers their birthdays, or any special dates for them in the calendar. A gift is not a prerequisite.

Trite as it may sound, the thought that you remember them is already enough. On the other hand, if you are someone who is not very good on remembering dates, get your calendar, organizer or even cell phone and let them do the task of reminding you of the dates you should keep in mind.

* Don't Be a Spoiler.
Loosen up and let your hair down. You wouldn't want to be branded as spoilsport or the killjoy of the group would you? Take risks and do something you haven't done before.

If your friends want to try out bungee jumping, go with them even though you are afraid of heights. It's a perfectly safe activity. Conquer your fear.

Are you the one in the group who usually heads home first when in a party? Come on, staying out late at night or partying once in a while doesn't kill you, as long as you act responsibly.

* Be Flexible.
This means be flexible in your views and when discussing other topics and subjects. Life is never a bore when you are having a good conversation with someone.

Being with someone who can talk about anything under the sun is fascinating. From being a nasty joker down to being an existentialist, this kind of friend is really a must have.

Be the kind of friend everybody wants to have and you're likely to have the kind of friend you always wanted to have.

Your actions can influence the people around you to be just like you - a friend for keeps.

Sometimes, when all our doubts, fears and insecurities wrap ourselves up, we always come up with the idea of "I wish I was somebody else."

More often than not, we think and believe that someone or rather, most people are better than us.- when in reality, the fact is, most people are more scared than us.

You spot a totally eye-catching girl sitting by herself at a party, casually sipping on a glass of Asti Spumanti. You think to yourself, "she looks so perfectly calm and confident."

But if you could read thru her transparent mind, you would see a bunch of clouds of thoughts and you might just be amazed that she's thinking "are people talking about why I am seated here alone?...

Why don't guys find me attractive? -- don't like my ankles, they look too skinny-- I wish I was as intelligent as my best friend."

We look at a young business entrepreneur and say "Wooh-- what else could he ask for?" He stares at himself at the mirror and murmur to himself, "I hate my big eyes--I wonder why my friends won't talk to me--I hope mom and dad would still work things out."

Isn't it funny? We look at other people, envy them for looking so outrageously perfect and wish we could trade places with them, while they look at us and thinks of the same thing. We are insecure of other people who themselves are insecure of us.

We suffer from low self-esteem, lack of self-confidence and lose hope in self improvement because we are enveloped in quiet desperation.

Sometimes, you notice that you have an irritating habit like biting off your finger nails, having a foul mouth, and you - of all people, is the last to know.

I have a friend who never gets tired of talking. And in most conversations, she is the only one who seems to be interested in the things she has to say.

So all of our other friends tend to avoid the circles whenever she's around, and she doesn't notices how badly she became socially handicapped - gradually affecting the people in her environment.

One key to self improvement is to LISTEN and TALK to a trusted friend. Find someone who you find comfort in opening up with even the most gentle topics you want to discuss.

Ask questions like "do you think I am ill-mannered?", "Do I always sound so argumentative?", "Do I talk too loud?", "Does my breath smell?", "Do I ever bore you when were together?". In this way, the other person will obviously know that you are interested in the process of self improvement.

Lend her your ears for comments and criticisms and don't give her answers like "Don't exaggerate! That's just the way I am!" Open up your mind and heart as well. And in return, you may want to help your friend with constructive criticism that will also help her improve her self.

One of Whitney Houston's songs says "Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all." True enough. In order to love others, you must love yourself too. Remember, you cannot give what you do not have.

Before telling other people some ways on how to improve themselves, let them see that you yourself is a representation and a product of self improvement. Self improvement makes us better people, we then inspire other people, and then the rest of the world will follow.

Stop thinking of yourselves as second-rate beings. Forget the repetitive thought of "If only I was richer-- if only I was thinner" and so on. Accepting your true self is the first step to self improvement. We need to stop comparing ourselves to others only to find out at the end that we've got 10 more reasons to envy them.

We all have our insecurities. Nobody is perfect. We always wish we had better things, better features, better body parts, etc. But life need not to be perfect for people to be happy about themselves.

Self improvement and loving yourself is not a matter of shouting to the whole world that you are perfect and you are the best.

It's the virtue of acceptance and contentment. When we begin to improve ourselves, we then begin to feel contented and happy.

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