Simple ways to reduce STRESS.. TRY THEM.. they actually work..

Sometimes it seems as if we're on a collision course with insanity. The pace of life, the endless demands and incessant contact through email, cell phones, and other "electronic leashes" seem to keep us in a constant state of alert. I'm convinced that stress management is as much about the little ways we decompress daily as it is the big annual "week at the beach" vacation.

Here is a list of a few simple ways to reduce stress...most of which I've used regularly. Many of them may be a "blinding flash of the obvious" but if you practice one, several or all of them on a regular basis, I predict your life will become more peaceful, less stressful and more joyful to live.

Spend some time everyday just sitting...watch clouds float by or listen to the birds;

Savor a cup of tea or other soothing beverage;

Give time to someone who cannot repay you;

Pray or meditate;

Laugh at yourself...lots!;

Enjoy the company of a pet;

Watch children playing at the park;

Take a nature walk;

Read poetry;

Look around and find five things to be thankful for...write them down;

Stretch your body from head to toe;

Arrange a bouquet of flowers or work in a garden;

Call a friend;

Burn candles and watch the flame;

Massage your hands or feet;

Ask someone else to massage your hands or feet;

Breathe deeply;

Have something beautiful in your office to reflect on;

Send someone a handwritten note of thanks or simply a "thinking of you";

Walk through the produce section of a grocery store or market and marvel at the colors, smells and textures;

Drive the speed limit;

Reduce your caffeine;

Listen to music that soothes...classical, baroque and jazz are proven stress-relievers.

Our lives are made up of thousands of moments, lived one at a time. Taking a few minutes everyday in which to relax, reflect and rejuvenate is a great way to remind us that we can choose peace anytime of day.

"Be happy with what you have while working for what you want."

7 POWERFUL TIPS FOR LASTING MOTIVATION AND GREATER SUCCESS

If you could sustain lasting motivation, how much more successful would you be? Wouldn’t it make a dramatic difference to your life?
With that in mind, here are seven tips to help you stay motivated and to achieve much more...

1. Success is not achieved accidentally. It is a systematic, deliberate process of deciding what you want to do with your life, what you will do when you get there, and what the steps are to get you where you want to be. One of the most important aspects of success is the ability to visualize your path and stay focused on your goal until you reach it.
   
   
2. The sooner you envision your dreams and develop a plan to turn them into reality, the faster you will accomplish your goals. Mental pictures are a mechanism to lead you down the path of true independence and motivation.
   Procrastination is a self-defeating behavior that develops in part due to low self-esteem and fear of failure. Your imagination is like a preview of your future. If you don't use your imagination your life will remain mundane and unfulfilling.
   
   
3. Overcoming procrastination is the first step in helping you create the lifestyle you desire. You must change the habits and behaviors that led you to procrastinate in the first place. Change is a slow process so be sure to reward yourself along the way for small achievements.
   Instead of focusing on the difficulty of a large task, break it into smaller jobs and create a timeline for finishing them.
   
   
4. small jobs done over time are much more manageable that one large task with no end in sight. You'll be astonished at how much you can get done if you concentrate on one thing at a time instead of cluttering your mind with multiple tasks. Try tackling the more undesirable tasks early in the day so that by afternoon you can pursue more pleasant activities.
   
   
5. Relieve yourself of the pressure created by clutter in your office or home. Develop a filing system, rid yourself of unnecessary papers, and give yourself an organized place to work. When you exercise self-discipline in your surroundings as well as your behaviors, you will make major strides in accomplishing your goals in a shorter period of time. No matter what is happening around you, keep your mind focused on the reward you'll receive by reaching your goals.
   
   
6. If people or outside forces distract you, use the power of the human mind to block out what impedes your progress and concentrate solely on the task at hand. You will make remarkable progress by refusing to let others alter the path you have chosen. Overcoming procrastination and staying motivated is the way to lifetime success and happiness. You'll achieve your goals rapidly when you stay focused on your destination and the rewards that will follow.
   
   
7. Review your habits and way of thinking to determine what you are visualizing most of the time. If your visions do not lead you in the direction of accomplishing your goals, then you must change them. Discipline yourself to concentrate on your goals the majority of the time, and if you stray from the path, get promptly back on. Imagine what the rewards will be when you finally reach your destination and keep that thought foremost in your mind.

Procrastination is of no use to you in your quest to fulfill your dreams. Lose those old habits and replace them with habits that lead to self-motivation and control over your life.
You know what to do. The big question is how do you find the inspiration to begin and how do you stay motivated over time despite setbacks?


You already know what procrastination and low motivation is costing you. And you know deep down that nothing is going to change for the better until you do.