Misc
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One of the biggest reasons why the economy is having many troubles is because of people’s negative attitudes. Yes, the troubles are mainly caused by the mortgage mess and banking and investment firms, but negativity causes fear. It spreads like a viscous virus through the country and the world, urging people to pull out of the market and tricking millions more to put off their dreams or totally destroy them.
I know that you’re not like and that you not only want to stay positive and hold onto your dreams, but you want to make them a reality even during these times. To do this you need to break free from the negative thoughts that are surrounding you everywhere you go, even in your own house. This is your survival kit to this economic negativity.
Listed are various forms of media where you can get and keep motivation as well as find tips on living simpler, saving money, and improving your life or just find a place to escape to.
Websites
- Toilet Paper Entrepreneur
Site (and book) about entrepreneurial bootstrapping.
- Zen Habits
- Get Rich Slowly
- Reader’s Digest
The magazine’s site is full of motivating life stories and full of tips on how to live better.
- The Bridge Maker
- UN Millennium Project (pdf) and Care.org
These two links aren’t meant to bring more negativity to you or make you feel bad. They’re simply meant to force you to rethink your complaints and thoughts about your financial state or concerns.
- Seth Godin’s blog
- Marc and Angel Hack Life
- Cute Overload
A simple blog about pets and animals that will raise anyone’s spirits.
Books
*No links are affiliate
- Scratch Beginnings: Me, $25, and the Search for the American Dream
- Career Renegade: How to Make a Great Living Doing What You Love
- Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson
- Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow
- The Last Lecture
- Think and Grow Rich
TV Shows
- What Would You do?
What Would You Do? is a hidden camera show on ABC that tackles many social issues. It shows that there are still a lot of great and kind people out there. Perhaps it will restore your hope in humanity.
- Adventures of an Incurable Optimist
Adventures of an Incurable Optimist is an upcoming ABC special hosted by Michael J. Fox airing on May 7th. Michael goes around the world looking for hope and creating it along the way to help people stay positive and achieve better lives.
Movies
- Cinderella Man
- Shawshank Redemption
- Good Will Hunting
- The Pursuit of Happyness
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- Slumdog Millionaire
- Ghandi
- Homeless to Harvard
Have any other movies, websites, or TV shows that you use to stay positive when the world around you seems negative? Please share in the comments below.
Related articles:
- How to bail out yourself
- 15 benefits and lessons we now have from the economic crisis
- 9 ways you can take advantage of this terrible economy
When was the last time you procrastinated?
I’m sure you did it in the last 24 hours, or you’re probably doing it right now. But wait! If you are procrastinating, before you start feeling guilty, stick with me for a few minutes : ).
Procrastination can last for days, weeks, even months at a time, and if it’s a chronic disorder it could last your whole life unless you seek professional help.
If you feel like you are or will be trapped in a bubble of procrastination where goals and tasks disappear into thin air, then read through the tips below and use it to pop a hole in the bubble large enough for you to escape.
Get it over with
This might not sound liking popping the bubble of procrastination but it keeps it from growing bigger. The longer you wait, the heavier the procrastination will hit and the longer it’ll last. Owning up to it will get you in and out of a putting things off mood.
Use procrastination time wisely
If you’re going to give in to procrastination every once a while (like a typical human being) then consider using the time for some positive things.
What do we usually do when we procrastinate? We watch a movie, surf the web, read, clean, or some other simple thing.
So what if we watched a movie that inspired us? Watched a TV show that taught us something new? Or surfed websites that pertained to the goals we want to achieve in life? The time wouldn’t be wasted and might turn out being productive.
Figure out the real reason for it
Are you really putting something off because you’re a lazy person? Most often laziness is not the case, even if it appears that way on the outside.
The most common reason for procrastination is fear. Fear of risk. Fear of embarrassment. Fear of responsibility. Even fear of success.
Tell friends/family what you’re working on
Share the projects, endeavors, and goals you’re working on with your friends and family members. If they’re truly interested, they’ll ask often on your progress. This will give you positive pressure to stay on track so that you are proud of your accomplishments and so are they.
Read over your goal list
If you feel procrastination creeping up on you read over your goal list and remind yourself of all that you want to achieve.
Make mini ultimatums
Set up a reward for yourself, like a slice of cake, some ice cream, or some TV watching time. Then tell yourself “If I get this task done then I can have some ice cream. If I don’t then no reward.”
These mini ultimatums won’t work well on big tasks, but it might spice up the mundane ones.
Look to what’s at stake
When procrastination becomes an every day, several times a day act, then big things are at stake of being lost. There are bills and responsibilities that need to be taken care of. Dreams of yours start to drift away. And fun times are lost because of procrastination.
For the weak, this is what breaks them down and traps them in a long state of procrastination. For the strong, like you, this is all they need to get back up and get things done.
Read this quote over and over
“Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today.” – Abraham Lincoln
Read it every day. Print it out and place it around your house, above your bed, next to your computer, and TV.
Sometimes we need to be reminded of what little time we have.
If you follow one or all of these tips, your procrastination bubble will surely pop.
Have any other ways to beat procrastination? Please share in the comments below.
Related articles:
- The art of getting off your ass
- 30 things to do in the next 30 days
You can do these in any order you want, but do challenge yourself to do at least one each day, in the next 30 days.
1. Focus on one big goal
Take one huge goal or dream of yours and do something every single day to move towards the achievement of it.
2. Try a new restaurant
Or at least try a different thing on the menu of the restaurant you frequent.
3. Donate
Clothes, time, or money; even if it’s 5 bucks.
4. Change a life in a positive way
Yes, you can change somebody’s life in 30 days. It’s even possible to change a life in 30 seconds. Changing a life can be done in many different ways:
- Giving someone a chance – This is something our entire society needs to work on more. We’re often so quick to judge or write someone off, that we don’t give those “diamonds in the rough” an opportunity to shine.
- Hold the door for someone
- Smile at others
- Compliment someone
- Listen to others
5. Thank the most important person (people) in your life
6. Read a new book
7. Face a fear
8. Take a day trip
9. Watch wildlife in nature
It might sound corny but it relaxes you and makes you forget about your stresses. You can even do it online if you can’t get out, click here.
10. Contact someone new
Send a letter, email, or instant message to someone you’ve never really talked to.
11. Go somewhere that brings back childhood memories
12. Think about someone less fortunate than you
13. Look at what you’re grateful to have
14. Look at what you’re grateful NOT to have
15. Get up early
16. Sleep in late
17. Get in your car or on your bike and just go with no destination in mind
18. Watch your favorite movie of all time
19. Don’t watch the news for a whole day
20. Try a form of art you’ve never tried before
Drawing, painting, photography, whatever.
21. Use a new word
22. Don’t complain
23. Be happy when the people around you are angry and sad
24. Forget about the past and future, and just focus on the present
25. Listen to music you normally wouldn’t listen to
26. Don’t check your email for a day
27. Skip beverages like soda and just drink water for at least a whole day
28. Play music really loud and dance
29. Look at the night sky
30. Remind yourself you have only one life to live
Try reminding yourself this during all 30 days.
I’m not a fan of wasting paper, but this list I REALLY recommend printing out and placing somewhere noticeable like your refrigerator. Use it as a checklist.
Have you accomplish any of these already or are you excited to do them in the next 30 days? Let us know in the comment section below.
Related articles:
- 75 questions to ask yourself
- 50 things to say before you die
- The New 7 Deadly Sins
- Escaping Cape Fear: 9 Ways To Not Let Fear Stop You
In my posts I usually try to answer big questions that people are pondering. However, in this post I’m deciding to ask you and others questions about topics that I continue to think about. Whether it be war, money, success, or the environment. So here are 15 questions I want to ask you and the world.
1.) Is it better to donate money or to support a cause, organization, or person, in another way?
2.) Has the conflict and harm religion has caused outweighed the good it has produced?
3.) Will the greatest generation be the generation that doesn’t look to war or conflict for the solution to a major problem?
4.) Can all poverty and starvation ever be eradicated?
5.) Would you rather be born rich or poor?
6.) Why is it taking so long to switch to alternative fuels and energy?
7.) Why does the media profile so much negativity, as viewers, is that what we really desire to see and read?
8.) How come we continue to believe in politicians and their promises, when so many fail to follow through and keep those promises?
9.) Are most of your goals and dreams, wants or needs?
10.) Why is it so hard for people to be happy?
11.) Are we the only ones who exist in this universe?
12.) How do you plan on changing the world?
13.) Would you rather work 4 hours a week, earning $40,000 a month or would you rather work 40 hours a week, earning $400,000 a month?
14.) If you only had one more year to live, what would you do in that year?
15.) Have you found your purpose in life?
Lyved was officially launched on this day one year ago. It sure has come a long way but it still has a long way to go.