The Self Discipline Required to Successfully Work From Home

For those of us who are trying to work successfully from home, we often find ourselves wondering how on earth we can be productive without the structure of a traditional office environment. While it's wonderful to skip out on any sort of commute, wear whatever you want, and hang out at home all day with your dog, working from home does come with its own set of trials and tribulations.

You're in familiar surroundings and you don't have to spend an hour getting home, but what have you really achieved?

Here are ten things you need to do in order to work from home like a boss.

1. Give yourself routine

If working from home is new to you this is going to take a little while to adapt, but the sooner you set parameters for the working day the better. Know where you're going to work: this might change from morning to evening depending on how light shifts around your home office – let's call it a hoffice. Make sure you're at the desk by a set time and embrace getting up early; this is ok if you're the one who decides you have to. It feels amazing to have nailed a ton of work before 10 am.

Map your day according to how you think you'll feel if you complete a certain set of challenges and let your measure of success revolve around tasks, not time.

2. Get up, shower, put clothes on

Don't work from bed. Beds are for sleeping and other kinds of magic, let them be precious and special in their purpose. Wash the night away before doing anything. Getting straight to work because you can, doesn't mean you're on fire, because after a while you're going to start itching. A sweaty home worker is a silently disgruntled home worker.

Blast your head with water, get fresh and don't forget that you're still a human even if you don't have to spend your day with others. Now, put some clothes on. Wear what you like as long as it's not pyjamas, but wear something. Now, you're ready to get started.

3. Focus: read, don't type over meals

This is about honing your focus and ability to juggle different actions. If one of your hands is holding a spoon or a fork or a knife or a jar or a mug or a piece of fruit, you simply can't type properly. Stop trying to do everything at once. Open up a couple of blogs, articles or news pieces and read – this is stretching for your brain before you start doing cartwheels towards your own work.

4. Prioritize: Write a To Do list, yesterday…

Thinking 'what do I do now?' is the first step to potential boredom, and boredom kills dreams. Don't be a dream killer.

To do lists sound like they were invented by a cruel master, but they're the key to self-motivation. This is your list and the summation of the day you've decided you'd like to have. Take ten minutes before you sleep every night to make the next day's list – give yourself something to be excited about. Prioritize no more than three biggish tasks, and don't be afraid to have a secondary list on a different page with things that need to be done, but not necessarily tomorrow

Know what you have to achieve and give yourself a time-frame to realistically do it well.

5. Set the musical mood

Your working environment is the key. Be in a room with lots of light. Move your working space and direction around until you're happy. Don't have your back to the room, face it.

Working in silence is a distraction so get Spotify premium (other services are available) and find a Focus playlist. If you're writing don't choose tunes with lyrics, you'll only be tempted to sing along.

There's something special about letting your mind switch off from everything other than what you're focusing on.

6. Destroy distraction

This is the difference between a good day and a bad day. Put your phone out of reach when you're working or at the very least put it on Airplane Mode. A WhatsApp notification is distraction. So is a new match on Tinder. Or a new tweet or Instagram or Facebook or advert or reminder. Stop it!

Save direct messages for break time and give your focus a chance to be relentless. There are a couple of self-control apps that will physically stop pages like Facebook opening during the times you choose.

Basically, if anything during the day takes your eyes off the prize at any given moment make sure that you find a way to stop it happening in the future.

7. Work on, work off

If you're running for a whole day with no stops to refuel, drink or rest, the person who chooses to run for only 45 minutes each hour will go further than you. Be a tortoise and rest your way to victory.

There is a bunch of ways to do this, but here's a starter: at the beginning of each work session set your phone timer to go off in 50 minutes. As soon as it beeps, stop working for ten minutes. Stand up, move around, drink water, and breathe. Try not to look at a screen but if you must, this is your window to check and reply to WhatsApp. Then after ten minutes set the timer, and get going again. Three or four hour-long sessions might feel productive, but you'll do more if you have multiple rests in that period. Be smart, not relentless.

8. Get Outside

Don't forget to exercise. You don't get it done on your bike commute any more and now that you're in charge of your own destiny there might be a feeling that if you stop working you're harming your chances of success. Here's a newsflash: getting pale and porky in your home office is just going to make you tired and, in the long run, ill. Get some vitamin D, ride a bike, go read on a park bench, smell fresh air. Spend at least one day a week out and about. Go and see real people and get inspired by conversation.

For all the freedoms of working from home, if you don't make it count that freedom might one day have to get shelved. It doesn't have to be this way. Be good to yourself, work smart, learn as well as do and base it all on creating a habit to get things done. If you try and cook an elephant every meal, you'll end up never eating* so break down the big stuff into smaller chunks and tick off hundreds of little tasks a day. Build momentum, be nothing but a doer and when you finally get to bed at the end of the day, make sure that you've made it count.

Breathing life into a stagnant career

Career boredom plagues most people who either work in the same location and do routine work or remain in positions with no growth.  It is easy to become complacent and collect a check by doing mundane tasks that require little to no creativity or hard work.  But when economic turmoil, financial distress or a merger/acquisition occurs, the reality of the potential of not having a cushion job can push you into creating a career road map.

To be proactive with career planning, follow these 7 tips to ignite your career into a better challenge and more lucrative financial rewards:

Keep learning.

Education provides an asset that can't be taken away regardless of who employs you.  Don't bank on always having this job or even playing a professional sport for long.  Take advantage of on-the-job training, professional development classes, and tuition savings and reimbursement plans.  If not available, read articles and journals that are focused on your career path or passions to learn more about new and exciting inventions or work in your industry.

Volunteer.

If you are not being assigned any interesting work, volunteer to help others both inside and outside of your department.  When people see you rolling up the sleeves and helping in all areas, you are not only considered a team player but a person who has great work ethic.  This can give a quicker boost to the next career jump.

Branch out beyond the norm.

It is easy for us to talk with others that do similar jobs.  It is more challenging to have conversations about completely unfamiliar topics.  You learn more when you step out of the comfort zone.  In fact, you might be surprised to know that the best careers flourish from an uncomfortable start.

Eliminate restrictive agreements.

Constraints on employment can cause you to miss great opportunities.  For example, check to ensure owning a business or having a part-time job or working in another group on a loaner basis doesn't violate employment rules. If you are a great multi-tasker, consult an attorney or business owner to determine the pros and cons and the best way to get out of the contract to flourish your career.

Work in silence.

There's nothing wrong with working hard.  But keeping how hard you work to yourself and away from your competitors is the smartest way to get ahead in your professional life.  The only ones who should see you work hard are the people that do and can issue a check.  By keeping this silent, the right people will see what you bring to the table and ask you to do more and subsequently may pay you more.

Manage time wisely.

Don't be afraid to moonlight with other jobs and internships.  You have the same 24 hours that Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Oprah Winfrey have in a day.  Use it to test drive other career opportunities or pursue hobbies.  Setting aside time in the day or a couple of days/week will provide the opportunity to learn more than you can imagine and can set you apart from others when applying for a job in a new career path.

Give earned loyalty. 

Don't be loyal to a company that has not been loyal to you.  Do they pay on time, give bonuses or provide publicity for hard work, support you on a cause or help to further your career? If the answer is no, learn to become detached and treat the job as a business-only relationship.  Instead of lingering around after hours, broaden your horizons and repeat steps 1 – 3 (keep learning, volunteer, and branch out beyond the norm).

The best way to ensure not all eggs are in one basket is to have multiple baskets. People who ignite their career will be flooded with new opportunities to make the change they desire.

How to Perform Under Tremendous Pressure and Succeed Anyway

Intense pressure can either crush a piece of coal and turn it into dust that is good in furnaces of industries like steel producers or if it can stand the pressure than that lump of coal becomes a diamond. One becomes a part of the process to make value and the other is made valuable as a symbol of love or a nearly indestructible tool.

Which do you want to become when the pressure is on?  Unlike that piece of coal, we get to decide.  Let me assume that you want to be the diamond.  Here are some tips to help you to strengthen your core and then endure the process so that in the end you shine.

How to work under intense pressure to succeed

Before the Pressure comes create small pressures

It is rare that someone is born naturally resilient.  It takes time to build your character up to be able to handle the stress and the strain of a life where the pressure is intense enough to turn you into a diamond.  It can be compared to education in mathematics.  It would be unreasonable to push a first grade student who does not know basic addition principles to solve an algebra problem.  She must build up to adding skill to skill and then they can solve the more difficult problems.  As a leader in a home, play or work situation you must train yourself in as many minor crisis's as possible.  When I was training to be an Army Officer we would do these field exercises where we were being evaluated and the pressure was intense.  The more intense that they could make the training the better these officers would be in combat.  A little sweat in training will save blood in combat.  Don't wait for others to create these for you.  Create a deadline for your goals that maybe only you know.  Push yourself for that guideline and add in additional factors to make it more challenging.

Be Fit

Regardless of where the pressure is coming from being in good shape mentally and physically will prepare you for the intense pressure.  Find something that you enjoy doing to develop your mind and body.  Lately I have learned to enjoy splitting wood.  I find that it helps me to process my day and creates a certain amount of sweat and muscle failure before I am done.  You can join a gym or buy exercise equipment.  There are several great books and videos out there that can help you to develop your personal fitness.  Create a training plan and push yourself.  The strength you build today will come in handy tomorrow.

Study those who have endured pressure in the past

History is full of men and women who became diamonds when they endured.  Read their stories.  Military generals, statesmen, activists, artists and pretty much any other profession that is out there will have their examples of world changers who endured a great deal of pressure.  Interestingly it is much more difficult to find stories of those that were crushed to dust.  Do some research and even if they are in a different profession you might be able to learn something from them.

When the pressure comes Stay focused on the target

It can become very tempting to chase rabbits in the midst of a crisis.  Everything seems important and if you believe that is true than you will run ragged just trying to herd the cats.  Instead figure out what must be done.  This might be a good place to call in your other leaders or mentors.  A wise man once said that in the multitude of counselors there is wisdom. Determine what you want the ultimate outcome to be and then work backwards one step at a time.  Once you have a solid list you can start with step one.  Regardless of what happens don't forget the ultimate target.  Even with a solid plan it is easy to get off track.  I read once that in reality a pilot flying a plan is off course over 90% of the time and makes tiny corrections as she goes along so that she gets to the destination.  Pay attention to the results of each step.  Make adjustments as needed.

Take it one problem at a time

Once a problem reveals itself it typically reveals more problems.  Again it is easy here to lose focus.  In the Army we would say, "One shot, one kill."  Take careful aim at the first problem, solve it or get things in motion to solve it and then move on.  If you try to hit all of the targets at the same time not only will you miss most of them, one will get close enough to bite you.  This is another good place to bring in your leadership, in really intense situations the crisis cannot be solved by one person.  A fire-fighter will not be able to put out the fire by him if the crisis is larger than a trashcan fire.  A policeman cannot hope to successfully conduct a raid by himself.  Gather your team around you and delegate brainstorm and figure out which targets must be hit and in what order.  When you make the plan, figure out the targets that are closest and work on them first.  Work your way back until you have victory.

Never give up

Nearly every project or run that I have ever started I have had a point where I thought that I should throw in the towel.  This moment comes and will be the ultimate test of your metal.  What are you made of?  How much grit do you have?  Every time that I push forward through the pain and suffering of that moment I have come through feeling good about myself and usually the project is complete.  Additionally each time I do that I gain an ounce of grit, an ounce of knowledge that I can do more than I thought that I could do and an ounce of carbon that is ready to be turned into a diamond.  Excuses never lead to growth.

 Coal dust has a purpose and is important. It is difficult to imagine a world where we don't have cars, appliances or tall buildings.  All of those things required coal dust though we rarely if ever really think about it.  Even the coal dust served to make something that would last but it is simply not precious nor a great symbol of love or power.  You can have purpose in your life even if you cannot withstand the pressure it takes to become a diamond.  

17 Moves You Didn't Realize Make You Look Unprofessional

Nowadays, it's important to do anything and everything you can to stand out as an excellent candidate in the job market. Whether you're looking for a new position, campaigning for a promotion, or just trying to ensure your own job security, making sure your superiors respect you is a critical strategy.

Sometimes the difference between looking like the perfect professional and looking like a sloppy hack comes down to the simplest, most obvious habits. They seem obvious, but somehow these are mistakes that so many people still make! These are the bad habits that will make you look unprofessional to just about everyone.

Ø  Not reading things carefully.

Ø  Acting overly entitled.

Ø  Being overly certain.

Ø  Lacking focus.

Ø  Only being out for yourself.

Ø  Refusing to pick up the telephone.

Ø  Being unable to take or give criticism.

Ø  Talking more than you listen.

Ø  Not really understanding entrepreneurship.

Ø  Acting too cool to care.

Ø  Freaking out when making mistakes.

Ø  Multitasking too much.

Ø  Expecting too many perks.

Ø  Not properly owning your millennial-ness.

Ø  Not being willing to take time to learn.

Ø  Not being able to disconnect from your electronic devices.

Ø  Not being present in conversations.

With more people returning to school and gaining more degrees, the job market will be more competitive, so be sure to avoid these unprofessional behaviours in order to increase your chance of advancement.

Smart Ideas to boost your Productivity

Intelligent entrepreneurs get ahead by taking a business that is running smoothly and making it run even more smoothly. They don't wait for something to happen—they make things happen. And they realize that in order to accomplish greatness, the process almost always starts with them. The productivity of work is not the responsibility of the worker but of the manager.

With that sentiment in mind, here are smart steps you can take to increase productivity at your company.

1. Have a plan: "People with goals succeed because they know where they are going…it's as simple as that."—Earl Nightingale

Strategy should always be first on list for ways to increase productivity, because the majority of business owners don't have a formal plan for their company. It's like a dog chasing its tail. If you want to be more successful and productive, you must know, specifically, where you want to go.

2. Execute the plan: "The best teamwork comes from men who are working independently toward one goal in unison."—J.C. Penney

A strategic plan is only a dream if you never execute it. A great way to increase your likelihood for success is by sharing your plan with employees, business advisors, partners, and anyone else who might play a role in helping you achieve your goals. When you get buy-in from the people playing an integral role in your company, you will likely increase productivity because everyone understands their part in the team's overall strategy.

3. Get more from existing technology: "One day soon the Gillette Company will announce the development of a razor that, thanks to a computer microchip, can actually travel ahead in time and shave beard hairs that don't even exist yet."—Dave Barry

Instead of upgrading your computers or buying new ones, run a series of "lunch and learn" classes on getting more out of the technology you currently work within your office. According to a number of surveys, the average company utilizes approximately 25 to 30 percent of its existing resources (e.g. smart phones and laptops). How much more productive can your business be when utilizing 70 to 75 percent of your technology's resources?

4. Set Smartphone and social-media policies: "It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste."—Henry Ford

Smart phones and personal use of social media at work are major distractions and detriments to workforce productivity. According to a study the average person will check his or her Smartphone approximately 150 times in 16 hours, or once every 6.5 minutes. In addition, the average person will make, receive or avoid 22 phone calls and send 23 text messages in a given day. Whether you institute a formal policy or share articles like this one, employees need to realize how their Smartphone and social media usage is hampering your company's productivity.

5. Test flex hours and working remotely: "Stay committed to your decisions, but stays flexible in your approach."—Tony Robbins

There is much debate on whether offering flex hours at work or having employees work remotely will increase or decrease a company's productivity. Believe in testing new programs before jumping in with both feet. If flex hours and working remotely are important benefits to your employees, offer one or both programs for a month. Set up an analytics model to measure whether or not overall productivity increased in that month (e.g. absenteeism is down, output is up, fewer complaints from customers). If it works, expand the programs to three months, then six months and so on. Let your employees know how you will be measuring the programs in the event you decide to end flex hours and/or working remotely. You want them to understand that productivity decreased, remained flat or didn't go up enough to warrant an extension.

6. Take care of your team: "If I knew I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself."—Mickey Mantle

You need to look not only at absenteeism, but also measure how productive employees are when they come to work (if you can measure something, you can determine whether or not you're making progress). There are dozens of programs that you can introduce to help increase health and wellness levels at your company. Some examples include subsidized healthy meals and exercise programs, ergonomic furniture and keyboards, brighter colors, new plants and hand sanitizers in the office.

Another option is to provide office perks that actually motivate employees to do what you want them to do. In other words, ask them if a monthly contest or summer hours would be enough motivation for them to exceed certain goals or objectives. According to an article in Fast Company magazine, a Facebook-customizing company chose "Free Lunch Fridays" over a $3,000 bonus per employee. Sometimes, it's not about the money.

These ideas are practical, inexpensive, and can serve as a catalyst for changing the way you run your business. By getting employees involved in the discussion for increasing the company's productivity, you're more likely to build a sustainable program.

Attempts for Betterment - Invest in yourself

There's only one guaranteed investment in life, and that's you.

You are the most important place you can put your time and money, and yet you are probably the one thing that tends to get neglected in life. When other people's priorities come up or it's time to sacrifice something, you might be the first to bend. But investing in yourself is not a selfish act. In fact, by helping make your life better, you will by default make the lives better of everyone else around you. And investing in yourself is the best way to ensure that you are well-taken care in the future, too.

All it really takes is the right investment portfolio. A portfolio not just of stocks and bonds, but one that includes key investments that you make in yourself and in your family. Like any good portfolio, the best investments you can make in yourself are diversified, carefully managed, and geared to the long term.

1. Make Your Own Lifestyle Decisions

The key to financial happiness is spending less than you earn, only you can determine what's really "right" when it comes to how you earn, invest, and spend your income. You can have piles of money, but if you're not living the life you want to live, you won't be able to buy enough things to make up for it.

Up until now, have you made your lifestyle decisions by default, or by consciously deciding what your priorities are? It's your choice from here on out.

Going from a dual income family to a one income household (so one spouse can stay home with the kids) or pulling up stakes and leaving the big city (or small town) behind. When done hastily, without a good deal of thought and planning, the emotional and financial consequences of adjusting to a new life -- perhaps without a job and the support of family and friends -- can turn a dream into a nightmare.

Of course, you don't have to give up your job or move cross country to change your lifestyle for the better. Small steps can make a world of difference. But we're convinced that first you need to consciously set priorities and figure out what makes the most sense -- for you and your family.

2. Put Your Family First

As a nation, we're working longer hours and spending less time with our families, leaving our kids by the wayside (or in front of the TV). You know the project that's sitting on your desk? Chances are, it can wait until tomorrow, but kids grow up all too quickly. Those school plays and Little League games you missed will be remembered, and regretted, for a lifetime. Family camping trips or tree house construction will also be long remembered. Which kind of memories do you want your kids to have?

3. Wherever You Work, Be in Business for Yourself

The last decade has changed our notions of job security. These days, while you're expected to be creative, resourceful, on top of the latest innovations, and dedicated to the workplace, you can't even count on being employed come tomorrow. While your goal may be to improve your job satisfaction and financial well-being, you've got to be prepared for cutbacks, downsizings, and mergers -- in other words, the old heave-ho.

Game plan for hedging your bets is having an Ace in the Hole, a very small business (or two) that you start on the cheap. For some, it becomes the stepping stone to a new career, for others it's a sideline that offers both extra income and welcome tax deductions. Everyone we know who's got an Ace feels more secure for having it.

4. Make the Most of the Money You Bring Home

The further it goes, the less you need to earn. Practicing the fine art of penny pinching means you can have the things you really want -- without spending your life working for the almighty buck.

Think of the basics before you buy: Decide if you really want it -- then comparison shop, negotiate for the best prices, barter, and if possible, buy used.

5. Turn Your Debts into Golden Investments

Pay down those debts! It's a powerful antidote to the "payday to payday" blues.

Here's a hot tip in case you're just tuning in: If you're in the 28% tax bracket, paying off a typical 17% credit card balance is the same as earning 23.5% before taxes. But unlike the stock market, paying off those plastic monsters is risk-free, guaranteed, and tax-free. (It's tax-free because you don't have to pay taxes on money you save yourself -- even if it's at 17 %!)

With their low minimum payments each month, credit card companies want you to think it doesn't really hurt you very much to owe them money. But the less you send in, the more you'll pay and the longer it'll take you to get out from under.

Beat those plastic purveyors at their own game, and pay off your balances as fast as possible. Even a few extra bucks a month will yield a big return.

Here's the best long-term strategy: Stop charging items you can't pay for or don't need.

If you become a pocket change investor in your home, car, or student loan you'll save a ton of money and be that much closer to financial freedom.

In addition to showing you how to whittle down those loan balances, we'll help you save money on big-ticket items, so you can keep future debts to a minimum, and future pleasures to a stress-reduced maximum.

6. Map out Your Own Financial Future

Ever think, "If I had a million dollars, I'd ..."? Well, chances are you will have that much, and then some. Of course, you won't get it all in one lump sum, but it's a bundle all the same. Managing it wisely will make all the difference for your future.

If the thought of budgets, asset allocation, and financial plans give you a headache, you can join the finance phobic crowd or check out Invest in Yourself. 

How to Handle Career Gaps On Your Resume

You might be tempted to ignore gaps in your career on your resume in the hope that employers won't notice them. But for many hiring managers, a resume that's full of unexplained breaks is a warning sign, and they might disregard your application straight away.

Being honest during a hiring process is essential, and this starts with your resume. If you lie or try to cover gaps by extending the months you worked somewhere, chances are you'll be found out at the reference check stage. Even if you have nothing to hide, this will make employers suspicious and may put them off.

Between the Great Recession and the changing priorities of today's workforce – gaps in an individual's employment history or frequent hopping from job to job isn't seen as the major drawback it was in the past.

It's important to realize this: You don't want to go into an interview apologizing for your track record or on the defensive.

That being said, you should be able to justify every part of your employment history. If you have a particularly flawed track record, the best strategy is to formulate a forward-looking resume that indicates the value you are offering likely employers. If you are going with a chronological format, start your resume with a Qualifications Summary section, which describes your essential credentials for the position. This will highlight your strengths.

Tackling employment gaps

Short gaps might not be apparent if you get rid of months from the employment dates on your traditional resume. This only works if you've a track record of spending more than just a few years at various employers.

Consider other pursuits you can use to occupy that time period, particularly interests that convey relevant job skills. Volunteer projects, community participation, unique projects, consulting work and continuing education can be used in this manner. If you're currently unemployed, there's no time like the present to look for ways to update your skills or volunteer your time.

Finally, if you took an extended period of time off to raise children or care for an ailing loved one – don't even think about apologizing for not working. When you go into a hiring process, emphasize the selfless and sacrificial nature of your time away from the professional workforce. Also, mention anything you did that could possibly apply to your resume, particularly soft skills.

Explaining a history of job hopping

Gone are the days of walking off the stage with your high school diploma and into a job you'll have through to retirement. Hiring managers are more willing than ever to dismiss some degree of going from job to job. However, a track record of going from job to job will likely need to be explained.

First off, a resume is technically considered a personal advertising or marketing document. This means you aren't legally obligated to include every single job you ever worked. If you had a one-month temporary assignment that ended badly – you don't need to include it. Please note that a work history you fill out as part of the hiring process is a signed legal document.

Furthermore, if you had a few short stints at different companies all doing the same job – consider formatting your resume with various employers listed under a single job title.

 

What's the Best Way to Address Employment Gaps during an Interview?

When you know the right way to address employment gaps on your resume, you'll be less tempted to avert your eyes when the inevitable question comes your way. Looking uncomfortable will only make you look guilty or lazy, as though you did nothing constructive with your time. That is not how you want a prospective employer to see you. You know how hard you've worked and it's important to convey this in a positive way.

Don't try to avoid the question, but don't belabour it either. Keep your answer short, to the point, and positive. First, let the employer know that you are passionate about your profession and have not been applying to any and every job, but really focusing your search on roles that you can really add value to. Then, talk about your background and experience, and let the employer know that you understand your competition is tough, but that what sets you apart from other job seekers are x, y, and z.

This is the time to focus on your skills; what you really bring to the table and what you've learned between jobs. If you can show your prospective employer how you've grown and learned from your experiences while unemployed you'll look like a more well-rounded employee and person.

Employers are attracted to people with drive, passion, and commitment. Walk in the door with that attitude and the gap in your employment will quickly become a non-issue.

Motivating Yourself – Turn Challenges into Opportunities

It is often our most challenging moments in life that offer us the greatest opportunities to grow and expand. Take a real honest look at any challenges you have faced in the past. Are you better or worse off for having faced those challenges? Start to view all challenges as delayed opportunities waiting to be exploited.

There are many things you can do to keep yourself motivated during uncertain times. One of the most important is to reframe your perceptions of the challenges we face.

Challenges as Opportunities

How we respond to any situation reveals a lot about our attitude and perception. So, when we see challenges as opportunities, it means that we have a healthy degree of optimism, self-confidence and openness, along with an adventurous spirit. It would indicate that we enjoy life and look forward to whatever comes next.

The surprising thing is that there is often only a small degree of difference between a positive, optimistic perception, and a negative, pessimistic one. Even though these two attitudes are polar opposites, they both often start with the same challenges.

When you don't meet a particular challenge in a way that makes you proud, ask yourself, "What can I learn from this that will help me grow?"

Sometimes you come through a challenge with a huge success. Other times the success seems insignificant, but it's a success nonetheless. When you achieve a success of any size, what do you do? If you are like most people, you ignore it. Big mistake!

To motivate yourself, you have to be willing to recognize yourself.

If you are like most people, you don't have many formal opportunities for self-recognition. That doesn't mean you can't recognize yourself anyway. Tell others about your accomplishments.

Correspondingly, if our first response to any given situation is negative, it makes a positive outcome much more difficult to achieve. That initial negative response to new challenges triggers a negative response patterns, and we will begin to follow the ingrained neurological pathway established by previous negative experiences. In essence, we will switch over to autopilot in the wrong direction.

Here's the important point: training ourselves to respond positively, or at least neutrally, will have the opposite effect. An optimistic response to new challenges will trigger a completely different set of established response patterns. Our subconscious will look for similarities between this situation and our initial response to positive experiences from our past. This will initiate a neurological chain reaction that will help move us in the right direction. Now we will be operating from a much more resourceful state.

Liberate yourself – Accept responsibility! The first step is to recognize that we are in control. We need to accept responsibility for our responses, and recognize that they assert a powerful influence on our life. Accepting responsibility is a wonderfully liberating experience. It puts you in the driver's seat of our own life. It is one of the most empowering things you can do for yourself.

Use leverage. Leverage means that you exert the greatest amount of control with the least amount of effort. The time to do this is during the first few moments whenever you are faced with new challenges. Once you start down a negative road, it is much more difficult to reverse your course. If you control your first step, you start out in the right direction, and it is much easier to maintain that direction.

Turn it into a game. When we take life too seriously, it's easy to overreact to situations. Why not turn it into a game instead? If you tend to react negatively to challenges, try imitating somebody who always reacts positively. Make a game out of it, put yourself in character, play the role until you establish a new response pattern.