Wallowing in Self-Pity

With today’s seemingly impossible standards, it is impossible to live life worry-free. With the increasingly demanding social norms of the consumerist society, people are often put on the spot. They need to excel in practically everything they do, and if they try to catch their breath even for just a moment, they get left behind. You have people telling you that you’re not pretty enough, smart enough, or rich enough. Though you may not have everything you want in life, you should feel that you do have enough. After all, if we did get everything that we wanted, what else is there to work for?

As you drive around the city, you see billboards depicting pictures of people with perfect lives. Then, you look in the mirror and find an infinite number of flaws. You always want what you don’t have, and if you let society’s standards affect the way you see yourself, you will never be happy. You need to get out of this rut that you are in and avoid self-pity. You should see things for what they truly are because these are stepping stones to self-empowerment.

The first step to empowering yourself is to concentrate on your strengths. You should see yourself as someone who is good enough to thrive in today’s society. This is not to say that you should simply ignore your flaws. You also need to know which areas you need to develop, but instead of sulking and complaining, think about what you can achieve when you work on improving yourself. Ignore the voices that tell you that you can never amount to much. Never be at the mercy of someone else’s standards because what you think should matter most.

Then, you should reframe the way you view yourself. Sometimes, you let your physical flaws dictate your confidence. If you get criticisms from people, let these drive you to do something. You’ll be surprised at the things you can achieve if you just set your mind to it. If people criticize your weight a lot, then get into a healthy lifestyle and further your strengths while you make yourself look and feel better. The thing is, you should never let society put too much pressure on you. You should do the things that you want when you feel that it’s the right time. When you shape your life according to the norm, you may not even be ready for the changes. Just go through the experiences and accept what you have at the moment. When you feel that it’s time to take things to another level, then do so because this is a sign that you are ready. You should weigh the pros and the cons of every decision you make. Things have a way of coming back, and if you get into something too early, you may not be ready to face the repercussions.

Once you’ve adjusted your expectations according to you needs and not to the needs of others, you can strike a balance between your lifestyle wants and goals. You have to fine-tune your perspective and believe in your ability to improve the quality of your life. While this may be a difficult feat, the chances of you fulfilling your goals are better. It’s all about your frame of mind! You are not a failure unless you think you are.

Finding Your Perfect Job

Win the Job that You Want

As soon as we finish school, we enter into the real world and become part of the so-called working class. A job search can be a stressful process, especially if the choices you’re presented with aren’t the ones you necessarily want. The competition is fierce and you need to formulate the right strategy to get the job that you desire.

During the search process, you first need to know where your strengths and interests lie. You need a clear picture of your desire in mind and the kind of work you want to immerse yourself in. It is very crucial that you determine your true calling so that when the offers start pouring in, it is easier to taper down your choices and zoom in on where you will be most happy.

Once you’ve indicated your wants and needs, you need to just research on the companies that are looking for people with your skills. Then, you need to hone in on your strengths and find ways in which you can become a suitable candidate. There may be seminars and extra classes available to help you improve your skills. You have to think about the fact that the people hiring the professionals get to see as much as a hundred applicants on a daily basis. Why should they want you above everyone else? Work on yourself and make the necessary preparations. If this takes too much of your time, then so be it. Job offers for the individuals equipped with the right skills will always come, and head hunters will be able to track you from even miles away. The necessary training may take time, but rest assured, the rewards will be worth the wait.

Once the doors of opportunity have been opened for you, it is important that you express your interest and enthusiasm. Employers like to know that you are committed to the job and that they can trust you with crucial responsibilities. Let them know that you will work to the best of your ability and ask them if they are looking for particular qualifications. This displays your zest to commit yourself to developing your abilities.

It is also important that you know your strengths and weaknesses. It is typical for the interviewer to ask you what they are, so it is necessary that you be honest. Highlight the skills that are crucial for the part and try to be more specific about naming your good qualities. Hard-working and well-rounded are good, but you need more than these generic words to make an impact. Talk about your skills with the computer or your ability to adjust to different cultures. Whatever it may be, let it be memorable because that is what matters most. When naming your weaknesses, be specific as well, but make sure that these are traits that you are currently working on. No one expects you to be perfect, but it would be nice for them to know that you are doing your best to improve and grow.

Landing the perfect job requires a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck. If you really are serious about your future, try to seek out every opportunity to create a network of people that may help you in your search. With determination, you are sure to win that coveted position!

Optimizing Your Use of Visualization

How To Visualize

For visualization to be most effective, you have to start imagining where you are at this point in your life. This should be a fun and relaxing exercise. In fact, this is one way to relax your mind and inspire yourself. The exercise should only evoke feelings of happiness and peace.

So what you really need to do is relax so that you enable yourself to connect with your spirit. It's simply a matter of monitoring your thoughts because both your mind and spirit knows no boundaries. Free yourself from mental chatter and concerns. You simply have to imagine the ultimate outcome of the entire journey. Then you must feel what it's like to be in that winning moment. Assume ownership of that goal and make it yours. Keep doing this until you achieve those dreams.

When it comes to doing the exercises, find a quiet and serene spot. Natural settings make the best place to engage in creative visualization. Breathe deeply so that you can sink deeper into a sea of peace. What is said to help a lot is when you imagine that you're descending a staircase, with each step down taking you to a deeper level of relaxation. You'll sometimes find yourself with a myriad of random thoughts entering your consciousness. Strive hard to clear your head and imagine an empty space. When your thoughts are cleared from clutter, your vibration rises automatically. Now, allow yourself to think about your goal. Make it as exciting as possible, with you as the star of your very own movie. Put yourself in a place where you are being congratulated by many people.

Follow these few simple rules:

• Visualize what you want and include only the positive.
• Visualize living your dreams in the now.
• Use the emotions in you and use all as many senses so that your subconscious believes it is real.
• Make it a habit because the more you visualize, the more you will look forward to it.

The real power to change our lives comes through visualization. Sometimes, this can be a little challenging. Your mind can wander off and think about your other matters. When this happens, you veer away from what you are supposed to do. To help you through the process, you can use pictures to help you visualize. Find pictures that get you hyped up and choose the ones that represent your aspirations. Put yourself in the picture because they are more powerful when you are in it. Make sure you keep a balance of your goals so that you don’t omit other important areas.

It is also important to make affirmations and repeat them to yourself daily. Because you repeat these affirmations often, they almost become a mantra that can be used to calm your mind. Most importantly, prepare yourself for success and assume that it is on its way. If you don’t, you will never be ready when your dreams come true. You must have an unwavering faith that everything is going to go your way because that is what convinces the law of attraction to go into overdrive.

Maximize Your Cash

During times like these, it is important for you to invest your money wisely so that when that day comes that you’ll be in dire need of extra cash, you will have something to fall back on. The Boy Scout motto always comes in handy during rainy days, and that is to always be prepared. If you live your life vicariously, free of worries and cares, you may find yourself in trouble one of these days. You must avoid debts at all cost, and if you can master the art of controlling your spending urges, then you can ensure a prosperous future for yourself. The time to act is now, so if you have some dispensable cash with you at the moment, here are some smart tips for you to follow:

1. Pay off your debts. The first thing you should do is pay off all your loans. Bigger loan returns are hard to come by, so if you find yourself paying the extra percent, try to go beyond the minimum and actually see your hard-earned cash go somewhere. Your debts increase with the worsening inflation. If you take your credit loans for granted, you’ll see that you are allotting more of your money to the interest alone.

2. Open a savings account. The first thing you should consider when you open an account with a bank is the company’s stability. While smaller banks give away higher returns, the risk of the bank folding is also higher. Make sure that you trust the people that keep your savings safe. Research on the most reliable banks in your area and compare their portfolio. As you go about your daily routine, you need not worry about losing your money because you know that you have made a smart choice. Always keep in mind the ever-changing economy, and when you do decide to invest on something, make sure that you risk as little as possible.

3. Invest in a managed fund. There is a high risk of losing your tax return in the stock market. Before you purchase anything, make sure that its value will never decrease dramatically. Always start small and keep track of its daily trend. If you feel that you’ve invested in a stable stock, then buy more. Moreover, never put your money in just one place. If one day, the shares lose a lot, at least you know that you also have money elsewhere. Look for a fund that has the biggest chance to grow. If you need the advice of an expert, then get one, but first make sure that your financial planner offers you a reasonable amount for his or her services.

Making sure that you’ve made the right investment takes a lot of research. If you are really serious about your future, you have to do what needs to be done to ensure that you will always remain with your head above the water. Finding yourself with zero cash is a scary thought. You must avoid this at all costs, and the way to do it is to be vigilant about knowing where your dollar goes. The task may be daunting, but all your efforts will definitely pay off in the end. Watch yourself enjoy your hard-earned cash when you keep these tips in mind.

Surviving Your Initial Attempt at Independence

Sometimes, it really takes quite a while to move out of your parent’s house. There’s comfort and security in clinging to a sheltered life for as long as possible. However, there comes a point in your life where you have to brave the unknown and live solo. There are valuable lessons to be learned once you get out on your own. You learn to fend for yourself by worrying about all your responsibilities. You have to think about the bills due while maintaining your new house just to make sure that it is livable.

While the prospect of moving out is both exciting and scary, there is also satisfaction in knowing that work must be done not because you choose to, but because you have to. You are no longer answerable to anybody but yourself. You also have to learn how to adapt to changes because the connections you’ve made in your previous home will also alter. However, while the new environment makes way for nostalgia, it also gives you opportunities to grow and develop as a person.

Fact is, you can become independent without experiencing the drama that usually goes with the scenario. All that is needed are planning and forethought. Before you up and move your stuff, ask yourself if you really are ready to become self-sufficient. Weigh the repercussions of your big decision and plan how you can meet your responsibilities so that you don’t suffer financially.

As you move on to your new place, know how much you need to pay rent. Generally, it should only be 25 to 30 percent of your income. If you plan to get a car, payment should only be 10 to 15 percent of your income. Basically, it means that you still have more than half of your money for yourself and your basic needs. Remember, you also have to think about your daily expenses. If you are quite unsure of what is really required, ask for advice and do the math. You also should know that though there are major sacrifices to be made, you should be able to treat yourself every so often. So, get your finances in order and make the necessary lifestyle tweaks.

More importantly, being independent is also about knowing the rules. Make sure you don’t blow your budget because landowners only look for an ideal tenant. It’s also wise to keep track of how you received your unit. Take pictures if you must so that you have proof to show your landlord if big repairs are needed.

As you welcome a life of freedom, you also have to be more careful about everything. You are responsible for your own safety so consider all security measures immediately. Emotional and psychological maturity is necessary to ensure a successful independent life. You are now facing a lot of decision making challenges almost everyday, right after stepping out of your parent’s house. Understand that you must be emotionally, psychology, and financially independent to do it, otherwise you go back home with your tail between your legs. Just remember that the real education is when you are in the actual situation, and sacrifices have to be made if you are to make it on your own and stay happy.

The Benefits of Visualization

Your subconscious mind is an exceptionally potent ally. What you tell yourself to be and how you want things to work can be controlled. All you need to do is learn the power of visualization. Basically, your mind is fully capable of working backwards, working from the end to the means. This is basically an act of working towards your goal even without knowing the steps to be taken. If you "program" only the desired outcome successfully within your "mental computer," then your subconscious takes over and helps you find the information and means to carry out the actions necessary to achieve the things that you want. This is perhaps the best mental training technique available to people nowadays.

Many people are now familiarizing themselves with affirmations and goal-setting as ways to attain objectives. They are harnessing all their energy into giving instructions to their subconscious mind. In a way, affirmation and visualization are very much the same. When you speak or think about an affirmation, it triggers a mental image of your goals and dreams.

Visualization enables you to plant goals into your subconscious mind. The process of imagining yourself going through the motions of a complex performance activates brain areas to enhance and further your skills. Brain scans reveal a firm neurological basis. Scientists were able to use the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans as basis for their theory. The results revealed that the mental rehearsal of an action activates the prefrontal lobe of the brain. This area was responsible for the formulation of the appropriate motor programs. This basically means that you can benefit when you use mental imagery.

Scientists have been able to establish the mind and body link. There’s also direct evidence in the way emotional stress can contribute to physical illnesses and difficulties. What people don’t realize is that the mind greatly influences the body and the circumstances outside it.

You could even use this technique in the middle of an exercise. When you want to lose all unwanted fat, all you need to do is imagine the burning process taking place. See the unwanted bulges melt away as you remove it from the areas in your body that you want smaller. You don’t need to be a scientist to know this. In fact, research enables you to create a picture on the entire process. For a fully successful workout, imagine the muscles building up and taking its place where the fat once occupied.

Even if you were not as educated with the internal structure and workings of the body, you could still use this method. The important thing to know here is that your body responds to mental imagery. It does not take heed of inaccuracies. What is more important is the process you want to happen. In field of hypnosis, the subconscious mind responds well to metaphor better than literal suggestions. Facts and logic belong to the conscious mind, while emotion and metaphor slips into the subconscious domain. If you frequently visualize what you want and set a schedule for the exercise, the mental images will be accepted by the subconscious. Then, your mind commands the will of the universe. This helps a lot with modifying and improving habits, behavior, and performance.

How to Deal with a Moody Person

Everybody gets mood swings for a variety of reasons. Some of them may not feel well at the particular moment, or may be experiencing some sort of dilemma that just occupies most of their mind. Some people, on the other hand, are just moody by nature. They have regular ups and downs that seem to be a part of their daily routine. Dealing with this sort of person is never easy, but rather than going with your instincts to just slap them silly, it is best that you follow the following bits of advice:

1. Know their basic temperament. There are two types of grumpy people. The first type is one who has an occasional bad day. They may have lost an important business deal or had a misunderstanding with their colleagues, whatever it is, there was a reason for their foul mood. Of course, there’s also the kind that goes through the emotional rollercoaster regularly. The latter is the kind of person who just brings you down with them because they like to always look at the glass as half-empty. People like this are usually extremely sensitive, and any little thing gets them on a roll towards self destruction. Should you be faced with that kind of person, you should never feed their fire. Step back and avoid circumstances that can tick them off.

2. Learn how to read people. While some may readily share their emotions, there are others who are prone to withdrawing and displacing their inner feelings by having inappropriate reactions to small incidents. People like these will rant and rave about the most trivial of matters when what they are trying to do is mask their vulnerability. The best way to deal with people who do this is to find out the underlying causes of their anger. Ask them how they are and offer to listen to them when they are calm enough to talk. Never force them to open up and talk about it, otherwise they’ll retreat further into their shell. If they really refuse to talk, simply take a step back and let them know that they can approach you when they are ready. When we have problems, we always need to talk about the issues when the time is right. The same goes for people who withdraw. If you complain about them a lot, then chances are, they will never look to you for comfort. Give them time to cool off, and while they do, never talk about them to the others who are not concerned.

3. Put things in perspective. It's important to know that you are always not responsible for someone else’s mood. The important thing here is to become the objective person. Take a step back and observe the things that trigger their anger. When they are grouchy towards you even when you haven’t done anything, you also need to stand your ground and let them know that you will not tolerate this kind of treatment.

Deciding when enough is enough is entirely up to you. When you deal with a moody person, you have to be brave enough to also say stop. At the same time, you have to know that you need not sink to their level. If they cuss a lot and slam things when they are upset, why should you do the same? At least you know that people will prefer your company over theirs because you are the type of person who is easy to get along with.