Category: Self Development

7 Things Happy People Do – They Take Action (Part 5 of 7)

Published on by Janet5 Comments

That new information you learn?

Take action with it!

This is part 5 of a 7-part series: Things Happy People Do.

Key #1 is Happy People Have an Open Mind.
Key #2 is Happy People Love to Learn.
Key #3 is Happy People Put Themselves First.
Key #4 is Happy People Approve of Themselves.

Key #5:

Happy People Take Action

Knowledge is (almost) useless without action. Action is after all how you participate in life and achieve your goals.

“I learn by going where I have to go.”

Theodore Roethke

You only fully understand your knowledge once you use it.

Imagine a surgeon never performing a real life operation. Their theory, their knowledge never unfolds into pure understanding and wisdom unless they take action. Once they do, they truly “get it”.

It is the same for you in your life. Action becomes wisdom.

I am Healthier Through Action

For years, every time a new nutritional concept resonated with me, I tried it out.

I don’t even look for them anymore they just seem to find me!

But only by acting on it did I fully understand the instructions or the book and learn whether it works for me. Taking action also raises new questions for me and I am able to ask even more in-depth questions.

While I’ve never stayed with any one particular way of eating, I retained certain wisdoms from each.

From the Zone Diet, I learned that a way to feel full after a meal is to make sure it has a portion of fat, protein as well as carbohydrate.

The Eat Right For Your (Blood) Type book taught me gluten in bread makes most people feel sluggish.

But bread is so yum and while I tend to still balance my bread intake, my bigger focus now is thinking:

“everything I eat is good for me”

A far more powerful way of thinking.

While I don’t overload my day with bread, I now digest it more easily (and enjoy it). Your thoughts really do decide your life.

It is an effort to take action, but only initially. The achievement you get gives satisfaction, happiness and that motivation to keep going. Greater discoveries here we come!

“People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.”

George Bernard Shaw

How Do You Take Action?

Once you learn something new, Continue reading “7 Things Happy People Do – They Take Action (Part 5 of 7)” →

7 Things Happy People Do – They Approve of Themselves (Part 4 of 7)

Published on by Janet2 Comments

Do you want an ideal way to love yourself more? Then…

Approve of yourself!

This is part 4 of a 7-part series: Things Happy People Do.

Key #1 is Happy People Have an Open Mind.
Key #2 is Happy People Love to Learn.
Key #3 is Happy People Put Themselves First.

Key #4:

Happy People Approve of Themselves

What Does it Mean to Approve of Yourself?

When you approve of yourself you approve of everything you think, say and do. And everything you have ever thought, said or done.

Sure, we always learn from what we say and do, but don’t agonize over the past and allow it to spoil your future. Add it to your wisdom and move on with today.

If I’m challenging you today, that’s good, it will help liberate you. Everything you’ve ever thought, said or done is okay.

“The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.”

Walt Disney

Keep Moving Forward Toward Your Dreams

Additionally, happy people also approve of their abilities and skills, and move forward in their life despite the need to further develop certain areas e.g. confidence, self-esteem, negotiating, interview skills… whatever.

Holding back because of doubt or hiding because of low self-esteem will never take you to more confidence, it just leads to frustration… it leads to unhappiness.

By contrast, it is through engaging in life that your skills develop as does your self-approval.

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”

~~ E.E. Cummings

My Dream of Working Overseas

In the early stages of my I.T. career, at 22, I moved from South Africa to live and contract in London.

I had a yearning to work in another country, it wasn’t enough for me to travel; I wanted to experience the nitty-gritty of life in another country.

To my delight I discovered my ADABAS/Natural programming skills (… looong time ago!) were in short supply the world over, including England. A friend was heading there to stay in her large family home in Sevenoaks, Kent and invited me to tag along.

The trouble was that although I had experience in Natural programming, it wasn’t recent. But I was going no matter what, so there I was wildly revisiting my programming notes and studying for interviews. A few months later I flew to England, a little nervous.

Choose Your Destiny

This choice of mine completely changed my destiny, not that I knew it then. I now live in Australia instead of South Africa so that’s a clue. My point is that although I recognized the need for more experience, my opportunity to live in England arrived and I took it.

Where There’s a Will There’s a Way!

My first contract wasn’t easy; Continue reading “7 Things Happy People Do – They Approve of Themselves (Part 4 of 7)” →

7 Things Happy People Do – They Put Themselves First (Part 3 of 7)

Published on by Janet2 Comments

Candle relaxPut yourself first.

I know I know that’s supposed to be taboo.

And therefore a great reason to challenge it : -)

Putting yourself first is logical when you know why.

If you want scientific proof then I have that too.

If the idea sounds tempting then I say, good for you.

It’s 4 years since this blog post was written.
As of 2016, it’s my 4th most popular blog post.
It shows many of us are asking questions about what we’re “allowed” to have.
We have a yearning for truth.

Imagine if we ALL had permission to do what’s right for us, to follow our passions. Everyone would be happier, correct?

This is part 3 of a 7-part series: Things Happy People Do.

Key #1 is Happy People Have an Open Mind.
Key #2 is Happy People Love to Learn.

Let’s get started on #3.

Key #3:

Happy People Put Themselves First

Putting yourself first means you can follow your passion.

It’s the difference between waking up and savouring the idea of the day ahead and bouncing out of bed yelling, “Oh yea!” versus groaning, “Ugh, and now I have to get up…”!

“Nothing is as important as passion. No matter what you want to do with your life, be passionate.”

Jon Bon Jovi

Would You Even Know You’re Putting Others First?

Putting others first is a program so drilled into us as children it becomes part of who we are.

Then someone (that would be me) shocks us with “put yourself first !” and we draw back in horror.

So how does putting others first play out in our life?

It means we rarely do what we want.

We spend our life trying to please our family and friends and be accepted by our peers. We do what is popular, we try to fit in, we never offend (a serious no-no), we try to impress others and appear successful and yes, we even try to appear happy.

Does feeling obligated to please others and having to constantly appear successful make you happy?
No.

Most people consider this selfish… it’s not.

Why?

That Scientific Proof You Wanted

1. Quantum physicists have proved that you can only create your own reality – by what you think and how you choose to live your life.

You don’t create someone else’s reality – you can only create yours.

2. Take that one step further and you’ll see you can’t make someone else happy; why some people are never satisfied no matter how hard you try.

3. And one more step – the flip side: You can’t expect others to make you happy.

It’s all about YOU. You make it happen for YOU.

You’ll Become More Generous and Loving

Just because you put yourself first doesn’t mean you skip your responsibilities and stop loving your children. Nor do you become selfish, nasty or greedy. You’re human: you’ll always care for others. You become even more generous, patient and loving. And you’re empowering yourself and others. Life is brilliant!

Tell me, would you rather be around someone who is vibrantly happy and inspirational or someone who is exhausted and disgruntled after years of self-sacrifice… and of course trying their best to mask it? You decide.

My Time as a Stay-at-Home Mother

Women with children surely face one of the toughest challenges to feel okay about putting themselves first.

When I was a SAHM, I was desperate for me time. So were my friends.

It didn’t help that I had no family in Australia, my daughter had started school and I had a very lively active (adorable!) 3yo son who had moved on from his afternoon naps.

Back then I didn’t know about putting myself first.

Achieving Me Time

So how did I handle the situation back then?

I must have had inkling of how important this was because I chose to put my son in childcare 5 hours on a Wednesday.

This meant I could get a cup of coffee by myself or even chop vegetables for dinner uninterrupted!

I didn’t even want to catch up with friends – I just wanted to be alone.

My son hated childcare.

The first few months were fine and he always had a lot of fun once there, but he started objecting every Wednesday morning. I persevered a little longer because I knew I was a better, more patient mother with me time.

I stopped the childcare because my son was becoming more distraught, however those 6 months gave me what I needed. He started kindergarten soon after and I got a few hours to myself.

How Can Your Attitude Help You?

You don’t have to logically work out how to put yourself first. Merely understand that you’re entitled to do so and Continue reading “7 Things Happy People Do – They Put Themselves First (Part 3 of 7)” →

7 Things Happy People Do – They Have An Open Mind (Part 1 of 7)

Published on by Janet

We’re talking about YOU today, as we always do : ) – because your happiness doesn’t come from others, it comes from YOU.

What do happy people do?

They’re getting what they want, so exactly what do they do?

And how can you do it too?

In order to do each key justice this was becoming an epic post, so it’s now in 7 parts. This is part 1 of the 7-part series:
Things Happy People Do. Each part focuses on one key thing happy people do, one key thing you can also easily do.

Let’s get started!

Key #1:

Happy People Have an Open Mind

Why is an open mind important? Is your mind open or closed?

A Closed Mind

A closed mind is stuck, rigid and narrow. It wants life to stay the same; it thinks it already knows enough on a subject or about life.

However, fortunately there is always more to learn. Even a small nuance can clarify your understanding and give you a breakthrough to yet another discovery. A closed mind cannot learn nor can it change. It stagnates.

An Open Mind

By contrast an open mind means you give yourself permission to go with the flow of life and to engage in new adventures.

You welcome new information.

Unique solutions suddenly become obvious.

You’re willing to try radical or controversial concepts which open you to a new world, such as putting yourself first (key #3). New ways of thinking are what makes life interesting and exciting.

Life is always evolving, as is nature.

“What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind. Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such.”

Henry Miller (American Writer and Painter 1891 – 1980)

How an Open Mind Has Helped Me

Take my interest in nutrition and natural therapy.

At around age 20 I discovered that one of the biggest killers of Australians is bowel cancer.

I intuitively knew this was ridiculous, that the body is capable of radiant health.

I figured there was something wrong with our eating.

Health was important to me so I spent years investigating and moved from Fit for Life, to the Zone diet, to Eat Right for Your (Blood) Type. Each one educated me about eating and the body’s biology. Very often they challenged or totally overhauled my beliefs.

It would have been silly to lock onto conclusions about anything; there was more to learn – there always is.

My wisdom continues to develop and it increases exponentially.

Nowadays I’ve moved onto far greater thinking; those of you who have read my book would know this.

Being open empowers me, it gives me confidence; instead of being scared of new  information it moves me into a happier, more carefree place. I

expect and embrace new ways of thinking; they’ve become a natural part of my life.

Soytainly Not

Case in point, I used to think soy milk was a great alternative to cow’s milk.

Now I never touch the stuff.

It’s less about being wrong but rather our willingness to build a greater viewpoint, a knowledge base.

If you’re wondering why the change of heart, I suggest you research and form your own conclusions. There is already plenty of information about soy out there.

My role is not to tell you how to eat but to help you open your mind to all potentials.

The Power is in YOU – in All Parts of Your Life Continue reading “7 Things Happy People Do – They Have An Open Mind (Part 1 of 7)” →

You Could Win a Copy of the Book “How to Get Anything You Want – Just Like That!”

Published on by Janet

Imagine knowing you can get anything you want. Would that make you feel awesome, powerful and fabulous? It certainly would.

Reach Your Full Potential Now

The time to reach your full potential is now; you’ll have the most exciting and exhilarating time doing it. If you choose to follow your passion, your life becomes astounding and “How to Get Anything You Want – Just Like That!” shows you exactly how to do it. And if you don’t know your passion, that’s okay because “Just Like That!” helps you find it.

Get Happier, Even If You’re Already Happy

Even if you’re already happy don’t stop there – your life can become even better. Keep growing. Personal growth is one factor that makes life forever interesting and exciting. I’m still learning every day, I’m becoming greater every day and because of this I wake up inspired and enthusiastic every day.

How You Can Win a Copy of the book “Just Like That!”?

(Update: this competition is now over)

“Just Like That!” was recently reviewed on Couponer101.

The folks at www.couponer101.com don’t even usually like self-help books, but they said this after reading “Just Like That!”

I’ll have to admit, I’m not a big fan of self help books.  I’ve read quite a few and unfortunately, gleaned very little information from them that truly helped me.  

Believe it or not, I’ve now found one that I really enjoyed AND is very helpful at the same time.

We have all probably heard the phrase, “You have to love yourself before anyone else can love you” – and usually I would say in return, “blah, blah, blah”.  Not so with this book. The author does a fantastic job of helping you discover who you really are and what your weaknesses are. By discovering these things about yourself, you really can start to understand more about your motivations and how what you project, has everything to do with how you are perceived by others….” 

Read more… and see how you can win a copy of “Just Like That!”, by visiting www.couponer101.com now. Also see the full review of the book “How to Get Anything You Want – Just Like That!”.

Wake Up to Something Wonderful Every Day

Your growth will gather momentum and take on a life of its own. As your life accelerates even more extraordinary people and opportunities will suddenly appear in your life. Life becomes a wild, eventful ride filled with the best of everything. That’s happening to me now as I learn how to tell more people about “Just Like That!”. It truly is a wild and fun ride.

This Sounds Crazy – Where’s the Proof?

What I’m saying here is proved by quantum physicists. You’ve created the life you have, and you can create the life you want. You are in charge of your life; you can make your life magical.

I’d love you to have the same thrill as I’m having.

Say “Yes” to life and go for it.

The Easiest Way for You to Start Waking up Wonderful?

Simply by reading one book “How to Get Anything You Want – Just Like That!”; it takes you from the situation you’re in and launches you into a new exciting destiny. Choose whatever you want, or use “Just Like That!” to find out what you want. Then you can just go for it. Order extra copies of “How to Get Anything You Want – Just Like That!” on Amazon.com – now also on Kindle – or on this site if you live in Australia (see buttons at left).

See what others think of “Just Like That!”:

Book Review of “Just Like That!” by AussieAuthors
Book Review of “Just Like That!” by NSW Writers’ Centre
Book Review of “Just Like That!” by ReaderViews
Book Review of “Just Like That!” by AllBooks Review

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