MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'confidence'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:56:04 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5182379&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FO29MooreE_0%2F Challenge is an opportunity: make it gold or a tough stone, it only depends on you, you are your own alchemist. Every time you overcome a challenge, it will lift you up, build you strong and make it easier for you to overcome your next trial. But if you surrender to the challenge, it will downsize you, break a piece of confidence in you and make it harder for you to overcome it the next time. It’s like building muscle – the more you train it the stronger it will become. Once you lift 50 lbs, then adding 5 lbs more is easy. By adding a harmless 5 lbs each time, with consistent practice you will eventually lift a magnificent 100 lbs of challenge, effortlessly. But if you give up on your first 20, 30 lbs, you will never build strong enough muscles. Make a decision now – do... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5182379 Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:19:03 +0100 5182379 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5182380&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F7AuH1DzxsVU%2F You probably agree that the #1 reason why people can’t pursue their passions is MONEY. It takes time to find a way through which your passion can replace the secured paycheck. However, there is another equally important reason. On the surface, you can call it the fear of failure! However, there is a much deeper and critical aspect of your fear of failure, specially when it comes to pursuing your passion. It doesn’t hurt that much when you fail to achieve an average goal that you’re not so emotionally attached to it. But when it comes to your passion and what you’ve put your heart in, it looks like there is no comeback. Peter Buffett brilliantly put it in his book ‘Life Is What You Make It’ when he said, “If, in the many facets of life at which we are destined to ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5182380 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 06:05:31 +0100 5182380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5169724&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FDe2dndtVDAg%2F Self trust is often overlooked yet it is the most powerful virtue we have. In order to succeed in anything we must possess this ability. Otherwise we are living through someone else. When we trust ourselves we are first of all keeping our power, as opposed to giving our power away to outside sources that we look to for the right answer. Then when things don’t go as planned it becomes very easy to play the victim role then blame that source for the circumstances at hand. You can avoid all this overwhelm by going back to the basics. We all have within us the means and know how to do what needs to be done. It all begins with feeling. We all have knee jerk reactions to situations and do or say things we shouldn’t but if you really listened to your body, something inside of you was telling ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5169724 Sat, 27 Aug 2011 05:50:09 +0100 5169724 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159553&cid=t_125302_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FaiMUWkBACcE%2F Think you’re the shit? If you spend a lot of time on Facebook, you are likely to be someone who thinks the world of yourself and spends a great deal of time admiring all of your, well, admirable qualities, according to a new study. But, not so fast, underneath that self-absorption, you may also lack the very self-confidence you pretend to exude. The research done at York University in Canada looked at 100 college-aged students and examined their personal Facebook page while rating their narcissistic tendencies. The researchers found that individuals who are more self-centered and who have lower self-esteem were proven to check their Facebook page more often. They also tended to stay on their page longer and promote themselves more via status updates, photos, and links to other person... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159553 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 21:07:17 +0100 5159553 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140357&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FgtlkILO_7F8%2F “You’ll never succeed.” “You’re not good enough.” “You might as well give up now.” Chances are, you’re hearing things like that every single day. They don’t come from your friend, or even your enemies. They come from inside your own head. Perhaps you’re working towards a big goal: like losing weight and getting fit, or starting up your own business. You might have big ambitions … but you’ve also got to fight a battle against those internal voices. You’re not the only person who feels that way. We all have to struggle against self-doubt. And we can all overcome those negative, destructive thoughts that hold us back from reaching our goals. Here’s how. #1: Remember What You’ve Already Accomplished You’ve managed to achieve lots of amazing things already.... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140357 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:28:02 +0100 5140357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5119043&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FyC0kHPMftjw%2F Shakespeare was wrong. All the world is not a stage, you just think it is. And it is this thought — the belief that you need to perform for an always-watching and always-critiquing audience — that creates massive anxiety. If you’d like to reclaim some of the time and energy you spend worrying about what others think, then read on and be inspired to be, create, and share your talents without fear of embarrassment. There are three sure-fire ways to eliminate criticism in your life: be dreadfully normal, do not take any risks whatsoever, and do your best to sacrifice what is special and unique about yourself in order to blend in as much as possible. Of course, this is clearly not the recipe for living your best life. You cannot avoid criticism, but you can learn to live with... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5119043 Thu, 11 Aug 2011 07:04:54 +0100 5119043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107600&cid=t_125302_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F08%2Fbipolar-disorder-missed-when-presenting-with-depression%2F Coming as a surprise to more than a few mental health professionals, a new study out today suggests that bipolar disorder is often missed in patients who present only with major depression. The study examined 5,635 adults seen at community and hospital psychiatry departments in a number of different countries. The discrepancy was reported because of the use of “bipolarity specifier criteria” that are broader than the DSM-IV criteria, the standard for diagnosis of mental disorders by mental health professionals. Using the broader bipolar criteria developed by the researchers found an additional 31 percent of patients who could have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. So what’s really going on here? Are professionals really “missing” bipolar disorder? Or have ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107600 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:49:39 +0100 5107600 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5086591&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FCJGruDE3r44%2F Fortunately, all fears are learned; no one is born with fears. Fears can therefore be unlearned by practicing self discipline repeatedly with regard to fear until it goes away. The most common fears that we experience, which often sabotage all hope for success, are the fears of failure, poverty, and loss of money. These fears cause people to avoid risk of any kind and to reject opportunity when it is presented to them. They are so afraid of failure that they are almost paralyzed when it comes to taking any chances at all. There are many other fears that interfere with our happiness. as well. People fear the loss of love or the loss of their jobs and their financial security. People fear embarrassment or ridicule. People fear rejection and criticism of any kind. People fear the loss of resp... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5086591 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 05:55:53 +0100 5086591 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5078079&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fkg-ct-XPXBk%2F Males especially are particularly vulnerable when it comes to this subject matter. It has a lot to do with our male ego. What’s the first thing that males ask each other when they meet? ‘So what do you do?’ We then begin to respond with the job, the business, the project or whatever else we ‘do’ – and this is what defines us. Or that’s what we think. We may just as well ask… ‘So what do you make? (in dollars that is)  as if that is what also defines us. Personally, I would rather know ‘who you are’ than ‘what you do’. Why? In My Mid Twenties I Went Into Business In my mid twenties I went into business with a relative of mine and found myself in the position of a director of a multi-media company. However, as the years passed I discovered that the direction my rel... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5078079 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 08:54:11 +0100 5078079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069853&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FsNzlZCgcB2I%2F Do you often walk away from people thinking, “Did I say the right thing”; did I offend someone”; “should I have said or asked …”? Do you frequently hear that “little voice” in your head saying: “What will they think?”? Do you often feel you need to be a certain way to be accepted by others and you can’t just be yourself? Most people are concerned about what others think about them and many say and do things just to get the approval of others.  These thoughts and behaviors seem to be so much a part of who we are and are so common in others that we assume that they are just part of being human. In fact, however, you can eradicate these thoughts and behaviors forever. How?  By eliminating the beliefs that cause them.  Although this problem can be caused by different ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069853 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:02:38 +0100 5069853 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4853261&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FAyq3nvcFL_E%2F A couple of days ago I watched a fascinating You Tube clip about mantras. Mantras are the things you say to yourself in your head, over and over again – and they have the power to impact how you feel and act in the short term, which ultimately impacts how your life turns out in the long run. The clip I watched was presented by Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project, and you can view it over here (http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2011/05/re-evaluate-your-mantras.html). Gretchen spoke about some of the mantras affecting her life, and I could straight away relate. I think you might as well. For example, how often have you said to yourself something like the following? “I have no self-control” “I’m so busy, I don’t have time for that” “I’m so disorganized�... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4853261 Sat, 21 May 2011 05:27:23 +0100 4853261 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4848169&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FAyq3nvcFL_E%2F A couple of days ago I watched a fascinating You Tube clip about mantras. Mantras are the things you say to yourself in your head, over and over again – and they have the power to impact how you feel and act in the short term, which ultimately impacts how your life turns out in the long run. The clip I watched was presented by Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project, and you can view it over here (http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2011/05/re-evaluate-your-mantras.html). Gretchen spoke about some of the mantras affecting her life, and I could straight away relate. I think you might as well. For example, how often have you said to yourself something like the following? “I have no self-control” “I’m so busy, I don’t have time for that” “I’m so disorganized�... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4848169 Sat, 21 May 2011 05:27:23 +0100 4848169 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4829359&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FDlRvmzKvslQ%2F You rock.  When was the last time you told yourself that and meant it?  If you can’t remember or (worse!) you don’t agree, then it’s time for a major confidence boost.  A lack of confidence affects everything from your productivity to your relationships to how you look and feel.  So today, don’t go out and buy that fancy moisturizer. Spend the time instead moisturizing your self-esteem then watch that happy glow return and more importantly, last. What most don’t realize is that confidence, like any other muscle, needs exercise and nourishment.  Here are five exercises you can do that will raise your confidence levels and the best part is, you don’t even have to break a sweat!  So take an hour, grab a pen, a pad and your appointment book. Pour yourself a refreshing glass o... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4829359 Mon, 16 May 2011 04:05:41 +0100 4829359 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789665&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F9g_JdOeLrNE%2F We’ve all heard it. “Be positive” they say. “Focus on the good in life” they explain. “Think, you could be in a much worse situation so you should be thankful for what you have” they command. Well, screw that. I say, forget being positive…being negative has its own virtues. Honestly, I’m not some weirdo who goes out of his way to find things to be negative about.. Nope, I’m not going to tell you that you should be always pessimistic and pissed off with the world. But I am going to tell you that it is absolutely ridiculous to focus 100% on being positive in your life. Being super incredibly uber-positive is detrimental to your health (much like eating lead paint). You see, optimism is a good thing…but blind positivity will keep you from actually changing your l... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789665 Thu, 05 May 2011 04:29:39 +0100 4789665 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753991&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F09fipszrXcY%2F Mike had become a wealthy entrepreneur, but he had a hard time enjoying his business success because it seemed that every minute he wasn’t solving a business problem he was worried about what others thought of him and what he could do to get their approval. Janet probably had as many good ideas as Mike, but because she was plagued with procrastination, she was nowhere near as successful. Roger always talked about his dream of doing something on his own, but he just didn’t have the confidence to leave his safe (and boring) job. And finally there was Marlene, who complained of bouts of anxiety that seemed to come over her without warning and paralyze her. Stories like these from our clients go on forever. We’ve literally heard thousands of them. It seems as if no one really escapes. Es... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753991 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 04:21:56 +0100 4753991 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734433&cid=t_125302_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FfyrcNn_z3M0%2F Nick Vujicic was born with no arms and no legs, and struggled through his formative years with self esteem. Realizing that his condition could inspire others, he started a non-profit organization called Life Without Limbs when he was 17, and even wrote a book with the same name. He was nominated in 2005 for the Young Australian of the Year Award, and is now a motivational speaker touring schools around the globe. He explains how hard someone may think they have it, but when they take a look at him, it seems to put everything in perspective. Vujicic’s main goal is for people to realize how important and precious they are, and to never think they’re less than worthy. On top of that, he has a wicked funny-bone. Watch Vujicic’s story and inspirational message below, and I def... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734433 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:58:55 +0100 4734433 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4677149&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fe91NFDumcK0%2F Have you ever changed your mind, backed out of something or even given up on a dream … because you were afraid of what someone else might think of you? I’m betting that you’re a kind, thoughtful person. You want to make the people around you happy, and – naturally enough – you want them to think well of you. There’s nothing wrong with that: it’s part of emotional intelligence, and it’s a good thing. But it can go too far. If you’re constantly worried about what friends, family, colleagues or even strangers in the street might think, then you’re using up a huge amount of energy worrying (and you’re probably holding yourself back from your real goals). This is a tough habit to get out of – but the below steps should help. Step #1: Ask Yourself What Matters to You ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4677149 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 06:45:09 +0100 4677149 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4670170&cid=t_125302_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F02%2Fdo-you-feel-like-a-fake-2%2F When I was in grad school, I was a fake, a phony, a fraud. Or at least I felt that way — very much. I felt like the program made some exception to accept me, that I really didn’t deserve to be there, that I wore my stupidity on my sleeve and that soon the professors and powers-that-be would find out and kick me out. That never happened. (I actually left after receiving my Master’s to pursue writing.) But it didn’t quell my fears. Even when I received high grades and positive feedback and praise, I still felt a gnawing discomfort that I just didn’t belong in such a smart place. I also wasn’t the only one. My cohort and I talked regularly about feeling like our department had a made a mistake in admitting us. We worried about keeping up, regularly questioned our i... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4670170 Sat, 02 Apr 2011 19:20:51 +0100 4670170 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636602&cid=t_125302_133_f&fid=35452&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.graphictruth.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fharper-government-takes-dive.html Image via WikipediaAh, the joys of Parliamentary Democracy where the credo has allways been this; "He who fights and runs away will live to fight another day."That is to say, nobody was surprised at the outcome of the non-confidence vote, least of all "The Harper Government." As I watched the kabuki dance that is the public portion of the sausage-making live-streamed by the CBC and annotated with twitter feeds, I marveled at how unsurprised all the commenters were, and indeed, how very polished the performances were, and how little the new media altered the message.On my way to the House of Commons, where I will move non-confidence in the Harper regime. Enough is enough. #cdnpoli #lpc M_Ignatieff 5 hours ago I missed Harper's moment in the scrum, but he took n... Graphictruth blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636602 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 20:35:00 +0100 4636602 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560352&cid=t_125302_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F08%2Fdoes-interpersonal-psychotherapy-work-for-depression%2F Psychotherapy. You know, I spend a lot of time talking about it here, and it’s no wonder — it’s an effective treatment modality that too many people simply aren’t even considering. Much less using. Psychotherapy research is less likely to be biased than other types of treatment research, too, because researchers tend not to be treatment providers nor have any direct (or even indirect) financial incentives in the outcomes of their research. Sure, there remains the “publication bias” that affects all research, but generally speaking, I tend to trust psychotherapy research data more than I do most psychiatric medication research. So I was interested to read a recent meta-analysis on a specific form of psychotherapy called interpersonal psychotherapy for th... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560352 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 21:10:08 +0100 4560352 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4532515&cid=t_125302_136_f&fid=39213&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbeingcancer.net%2F2011%2F02%2F28%2Fchemobabes-hard-time-guest-post%2F This is a really creative site by a self-described social scientist and stage 3 breast cancer survivor.  Great graphics and great writing.  She even sells Chemobabe t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs and mousepads.  Check it out at ChemoBabe! Hard Time Last month, a work friend told me about a gossipy lunch conversation she took part in. Some colleagues were sizing up the real life skills of the research professors in our department, predicting which of us would survive hard time in prison. Smiling, she told me, “We decided you would make it. You have the skills.” She knew it was an odd compliment, and we had a good laugh about it. Of course, I hope we never find out if they put their money on the right horse in that race. I know that her praise was, in part, a nod to coping skills I truck... Being Cancer Network blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4532515 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:50:57 +0100 4532515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4527773&cid=t_125302_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F02%2F27%2Fj-raymond-depaulo-jr-on-getting-a-second-opinion%2F The following passage from J. Raymond DePaulo Jr.’s book, Understanding Depression, was helpful to me in knowing what to look for in a doctor, and when to go for a second (and third, and fourth, and fifth, and sixth, and seventh) opinion. My comments on his advice are in parantheses. The best patient care requires three components: A well-trained, dependable clinician who knows what to do and is accessible to the patient; A well-informed patient who actively participates in his or her care plan and follows it; and A trusting alliance between doctor, patient, and family. If you don’t understand or agree with a doctor’s diagnosis, you should ask for an explanation of how he or she came to the conclusion. What factors weight in favor of the diagnosis? What factors argue i... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4527773 Sun, 27 Feb 2011 12:08:06 +0100 4527773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4522329&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FZh4TO_guP_A%2F For many years of my life, I had this problem of taking what people say to me personally. It didn’t matter if their intentions were good or not, for some reason my ego would take control my thoughts and I’d take offense to it. This negative thought pattern I had was on auto-pilot. I’d get offended even if what that person said to me was true. Which actually made it hurt even worse. Most of the time I wouldn’t say anything. I would just feel the negative emotions inside and bottle it up. Which made it worse because the rest of my day would be affected by it, for no rational reason what-so-ever. I’m not a person who likes confrontation, which is why I wouldn’t really say anything. But when the person who says something which you take personally knows you, ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4522329 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 07:17:34 +0100 4522329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4433344&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38619&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FALifeCoachsBlog%2F%7E3%2FnClyFLBx9Bk%2F I have had two interesting conversation recently with clients about confidence. Both people claimed to lack confidence in certain areas of their life and needed me to give them some more. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem, but unfortunately the extreme weather has shut down the confidence factory and my shipments are on back order. I scratched my head in desperation unsure of what to do, when all of a sudden a thought came to me out of the blue. What if both clients already had lots of confidence, but had merely misplaced it? I used to go rock climbing when I was in my twenties. I was never any good at it, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. On the occasions I foolishly agreed to follow my friend, Shep, up a route that was way over my head I would invariably end up being dragged up the fina... Life Coach Blog: The Discomfort Zone : blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4433344 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 14:06:36 +0100 4433344 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4429247&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fd0H2MKFLGaE%2F Fear is like a toxic poison – it seems you can’t get rid of it by any means and it prevents you from living the life you always wanted to live. I was being “poisoned” with fear for myself and continuously worried about the events that might take place in the future, which included – besides many other things – messing up with my grades or not being able to master the defiances of my life. Even though I wasn’t a scared chicken at all, fear remained a part of my thoughts and often prevented me from falling asleep. Generally speaking I would say that all my worries had one thing in common: the fear of failure. Overcome the fear of failure #1 Having the right mindset about failure When I was about 20 years old, I’ve made an interesting conclusion... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4429247 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 06:49:27 +0100 4429247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4424508&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FfpRdUlrPeuY%2F Getting confidence is one thing, getting your confidence back is a substantially different one. You see, people who’ve always lacked confidence in a certain area aren’t familiar with the emotion and they have a hard time grasping the associated behavior. On the other hand, people who had confidence in a certain area at some point but they’ve lost it are familiar with the emotion and the related behavior, they’ve just lost touch with them. What they need is to get those emotions to surface again. This is easier than inventing them from scratch, but it is also different in many ways and it requires a customized approach. Here are my top ideas on how to get your confidence back: 1. Remember the Feeling It’s a lot easier to get a feeling of confidence when you need it if you get reac... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4424508 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 07:18:16 +0100 4424508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4450535&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FGm8euk6UBAA%2F “Mom, my brother called me a baby!” This scene plays out in my house a dozen times a day; inevitably I’ll get exasperated and say “Ignore him, if he called you a kangaroo, would you grow a pouch and start hopping?” It sounds like child’s play, but if we think about it, how many of us are struggling because we allow other people to define us? When you realize that you have the ability and right to define yourself, amazing things start to happen in your life. You realize that you have the power to make decisions that are right for you and with that comes the confidence to go for what you want. So who am I? Defining yourself comes from a combination of articulating your values and acknowledging your strengths. Knowing these things will give you a clear picture of where you want to... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4450535 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 19:14:49 +0100 4450535 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4414548&cid=t_125302_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F30%2F5-steps-to-a-more-resilient-you%2F Resiliency is what makes some people able to bounce back after a particularly traumatic or difficult time or stressor in one’s life, while others fall apart. It is a component of positive psychology, in that researchers try and figure out what makes resilient people different than others. And then seeks to help others learn some simple skills that may be able to help build resiliency in one’s own life. There are no secret short-cuts to building greater resilience in your life. Most skills you can learn to help build resiliency are things that are going to take lots of time and lots of practice. Practice is one of the things people often forget when it comes to changing one’s behavior or one’s life. You didn’t become this way overnight. It took years — a... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4414548 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 11:40:39 +0100 4414548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4414656&cid=t_125302_136_f&fid=39213&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbeingcancer.net%2F2011%2F01%2F29%2Fdisability-vanishes-overnight%2F Earlier in the week I was buying gas at the supermarket filling station in the middle of a large parking lot.  As I climbed back in my truck, I noticed a middle-aged man walking across the lot.  Actually “hobbling” would better describe his gait.  While his left foot seemed to proceed normally, he  “dragged” his right foot at right-angles behind him.  He wore a stylish light winter jacket, slanted woolen cap, striped scarf and glasses. For some reason I imagined that he was gainfully employed but possessed of some physical handicap, perhaps a cerebral palsy-type disorder.  Yet he seemed to be moving purposefully.  But the extra effort and concentration required to drag his affected limb was obvious.  I felt that he must be a stalwart individual, someone to b... Being Cancer Network blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4414656 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 19:25:19 +0100 4414656 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4406055&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FS1-wk3zKBGY%2F It’s amazing how much we all spend on beauty – hair styles, makeup, manicures, waxes, diet products, stylish clothing. I went to get a makeover the other day and could not believe the cost of all the skin products to clean my skin! That was even before we got to the point of covering it up with beauty products! Call me old-fashioned (or call me cheap) but good old soap and water works just fine for me. And while women may spend a lot on beauty products, men do their share of spending in order to up their sex-appeal quotient. I’ve known more than a few men who talk about buying a car meant to impress the ladies – a “chick magnet.”  Fancy cars may impress some women (gold diggers!) but I think most of men and women alike are attracted to certain characteristics that don’t cost... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4406055 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 07:11:38 +0100 4406055 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4389382&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FGymXu3V7Rxw%2F It’s probably the greatest gift parents can give their children; it’s an asset that multiplies in value as the years go by; and it stands you in good stead when life throws the unexpected at you. The worth of a good education can never be estimated, simply because it means different things to different people. However, the common denominator is that it gives your self confidence a hefty boost, one that makes it possible for you to go out and do your own thing without being afraid of failure or ridicule. Education is not just about going to school and college and piling up the degrees behind your name; it’s the learning process which augments our knowledge and provides us with enhanced skills, acumen and wisdom. So if you’re looking for a confidence boost, here are the top ways in w... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4389382 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 07:06:42 +0100 4389382 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4331277&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FGm8euk6UBAA%2F “Mom, my brother called me a baby!” This scene plays out in my house a dozen times a day; inevitably I’ll get exasperated and say “Ignore him, if he called you a kangaroo, would you grow a pouch and start hopping?” It sounds like child’s play, but if we think about it, how many of us are struggling because we allow other people to define us? When you realize that you have the ability and right to define yourself, amazing things start to happen in your life. You realize that you have the power to make decisions that are right for you and with that comes the confidence to go for what you want. So who am I? Defining yourself comes from a combination of articulating your values and acknowledging your strengths. Knowing these things will give you a clear picture of where you want to... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4331277 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 16:14:49 +0100 4331277 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4302268&cid=t_125302_136_f&fid=39213&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbeingcancer.net%2F2011%2F01%2F01%2Fcancer-choices-guest-post%2F Over the past week we have had the opportunity to look at different reflections about what the holidays can mean for those of us actively involved in our battle with cancer.  We have witnessed the grace and suffering of those left behind.  As we enter this new year of 2011, I wanted to highlight the optimism that can greet a new year of new beginnings.  Our guest today is a twenty-one year old ovarian cancer survivor who blogs with beauty and commitment at If Cancer Was Easy, They’d Call It Your Mom: My Journey with Ovarian Cancer You Have Two Choices This post comes on the heels of another Mitch dream. I’m standing before him. And we’re talking. We start to talk about something that makes us both happy, so happy in fact that we start laughing. We’re both laughin... Being Cancer Network blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4302268 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 05:50:55 +0100 4302268 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4300727&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FPP1B3BcQnwY%2F Confidence is a characteristic that allows us to take risks in our lives. It is often through risk, we achieve great success in many aspects of our lives. It makes sense, therefore, to try to develop our own self-confidence as best we can in order to be successful and happy. Here are 7 best ways to do just that: Create a Life Philosophy The basis of your self-confidence will come from your having developed and followed a life philosophy.  This life philosophy can grow out of a great thinker whom you admire, a convergence of ideas you’ve picked up in your education, or something unique to yourself that you’ve developed. The point is that you should have a philosophy that will guide your every action. If you have a solid philosophy on life, and it’s one that you’ve d... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4300727 Fri, 31 Dec 2010 07:11:00 +0100 4300727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4298831&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FpphKNhOEEq0%2F Do you avoid the camera like some celebrities dodge the paparazzi? Are you about as photogenic as a plate full of Brussels Sprouts? Is the thought of sending out a Holiday Greeting Photo Card about as appealing as burying yourself naked in a pile full of dirty snow? If so, don’t despair. While this post might not turn you into the next super model, it will help you make the most of what you have and hopefully shift your focus to capturing as many magical moments as you can. Remember – only wine and cheese get better with age, so what you hate in your 30’s, might actually look good to you when you are in your 80’s. 1.  Avoid The Dreaded Double Chin Camera position is key.  The lens must be at your eye level or higher. Bend your knees if you are taller than the photographer. Or t... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4298831 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:21:11 +0100 4298831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4285367&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F8ofFaVVeeH8%2F How much are you worth? Who gets incredible value from being a part of your life? How much does it cost for you to keep them in yours? These might sound like harsh questions, but why treat a business plan better than you treat your life? If you were standing in a group with your closest friends and family, what is the one thing you could stand up and say you do better than anyone, creating a wave of nodding heads to say “yep – that’s what makes you and why we love you”? I pride myself on my generosity and loyalty but I carry it around quietly. No more would I have to state, “I have blonde hair” than I would have to tell a friend, “I am generous and loyal”- it’s who I am….always. I am also impatient, not present and say yes to more things than I can possibly do -dragging... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4285367 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 16:29:18 +0100 4285367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4277969&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38616&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifelearningtoday%2Fwlyf%2F%7E3%2Fpgkm7eOy7TE%2F photo credit: DesheBoard Do you have a mountain of things you need to get done? Does the sight or thought of it paralyze you into inaction or procrastination disguised as busywork? Well I hope to show you light at the end of that tunnel and a technique to get out the other end and into the light! Over the last couple months I have been working on several home renovations. I was blessed to have my father as my partner in the project. Actually, he was the leader of the project. Why? Because he is the original king of “Getting Things Done!” He could have written the book, but he was too busy getting things done all his life! So I learned some great things from him that I will share with you now. When faced with a mountain of tasks where do you start? And how do you get it all done... Life Learning Today blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4277969 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 19:40:42 +0100 4277969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4277967&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FifBTSJQ98Cc%2F “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” – Lao Tzu. Who do you want to be? Most of us have an idealized version of us – the us that is a bestselling novelist, an executive with a corner office, the top salesperson of our company, a successful entrepreneur, or perhaps, a version of us that in great shape and lives an active lifestyle. Oftentimes, this Idealized Self is a far cry from the Actual Self. The main reason for this disparity between our imaginations and reality, is that we don’t do the things we need to do to be that ideal person. We imagine all the great things that come with success, but don’t take into account the work necessary to get there. And let’s face it, change is hard! Habits are hard to break. We allow our past failu... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4277967 Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:03:19 +0100 4277967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4272485&cid=t_125302_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FFacqUuxSZyI%2Fsleeping-in-basketball-anxiety-eggs-grits-confidence.php Routines help me with my diabetes.  As much as I like to think that by using an insulin pump I can just go with the flow, that's not always the case.  A routine, by definition, is something that is done over and over again.  With diabetes, repetition gives us an opportunity to fine tune all of the calculations that go into life with diabetes.   Working with Ginger, I've come up with a good routine for the first half of my typical day.  I wake up early and have two scrambled eggs with some corn grits for breakfast.  I keep a measuring cup in the container of corn grits, so I know I'm getting an accurate carb count.  I had that breakfast for about three weeks straight (during the weekdays), and of those 15 days, there was only ONE day where my blood su... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4272485 Sun, 19 Dec 2010 20:26:20 +0100 4272485 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4266324&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FLjVjoZTqJ_M%2F The fabric of your relationships is fragile. The words you use either sew the stitches tighter together, or loosen the seams until the fraying threads can barely hold themselves together. The wrong words can rip people apart and make them wonder if they ever had anything in common at all, the right ones can draw people closer and make them wonder how they ever lived apart. Your words are potent; used well, they can prove your argument, make others look up to you, and help you get what you want most from life. Used in anger or malice, they can cause more long term damage than a physical beating. Even the blackest bruises one day fade; a scarred soul is torn forever. Being able to control the language you use, regardless of setting, is a guaranteed way to become a more powerful, more con... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4266324 Thu, 16 Dec 2010 16:37:48 +0100 4266324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4253474&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FpsVkbmLEpe0%2F “I celebrate myself, and sing myself” ~ Walt Whitman, Song of Myself Do you celebrate life or do you hide in the shadows? Too many people hide their feelings, afraid to live out loud, afraid to stand out, and afraid to really enjoy life. Meanwhile, others seem to be a party unto themselves, unabashedly unafraid! If you find it hard to enjoy yourself, or step out of your comfort zone, read on… You deserve happiness. You deserve to have your accomplishments and unique personality recognized. You deserve to celebrate yourself! Don’t worry about becoming a raging egomaniac or blind to your faults; the beauty of being able to celebrate and love yourself is that it allows you to deal with your shortcomings in a productive way. Secure, happy people are also confident; able to ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4253474 Mon, 13 Dec 2010 16:16:01 +0100 4253474 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249269&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F3SaA-z7EYS8%2F Why should people remember you? What makes you stand out in a crowd? What makes you different from other people in your field? How can others relate to you? If you can’t answer those questions, perhaps it’s time to think about how you brand yourself. Branding is the process of attributing a characteristic, quality, or image to something in order to associate an item with those qualities. For instance, think of Disney, and you think wholesome, family entertainment, right? It’s what the company is known for. This is not an accident, but rather, by design. Branding isn’t just for companies like Nike, McDonald’s, and Disney anymore, though. Today’s entrepreneur realizes that if you want to stand out, you need to brand yourself. Branding is what separates Gar... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249269 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:24:49 +0100 4249269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4245630&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FFqKhS4xLJMM%2F If you want to achieve success and make things happen, then you probably know that you need to have the ability to motivate yourself.  Everyone seeks to motivate himself to achieve success and prosperity, but many do not know how. How do you motivate yourself? To learn how to motivate yourself, follow the quick guide below: 1.  Have a reason One of the strongest motives to motivate yourself is that you have a reason.  This reason will inspire you and make you do whatever it takes to challenge all of the obstacles, so you can achieve your goals.  If your desire and reasons are normal, then you might get motivated temporarily.  The strong desires that make you think and dwell on your goals are the strong motives that will keep you moving forward. 2.  Have a great goal Have a goal that ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4245630 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 06:40:12 +0100 4245630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4238172&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F_5pZGboUON8%2F “You’re not the boss of me!” My sister stared in my eyes and spit those words when she was two. I’ve said it to several people in my life. You probably have, too; probably with passion. It’s true, they aren’t the boss of you. You are. Making sure you stay the boss will keep you cool, confident and more capable of living the life you deserve to live. You can establish strong expectations for who you want to be by providing your life with guidelines and sticking to the parameters you set. Your Life, Your Rules Once you’ve set rules for yourself that are clear with intention and structured enough to be easily followed, you will be one giant step closer to living a life of built by your design, rather than the a life inherited through habit or accident. If you’re the early to b... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4238172 Tue, 07 Dec 2010 16:03:49 +0100 4238172 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4233366&cid=t_125302_136_f&fid=35302&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FWhitePebble%2F%7E3%2FsasuebJzHUk%2F I was just skimming through Twitter, as I unfortunately do, and came across several notices or quotes or references to alleged “spiritual guides” (aka “con men“) who offer guidance for the soul in bits and pieces of 140 characters or less. These con men, as I shall hereafter refer to them in blog postings — except in the instances where they are con women — all have names in languages and traditions that are not what they grew up in. I’ve been guilty of this sort of thing myself. An allegedly Zen practitioner once gave me a Japanese Zen name, but I can’t remember what it was. I even once had a Hebrew name which was so freaking silly that I ain’t gonna mention it here. No sir. Not even if you ask. I dumped the Hebrew name long ago, along with th... white pebble blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4233366 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:38:50 +0100 4233366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4225717&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FsK9Dcy9u-KY%2F While most of us might not threaten the top 2% of the population that can meet the admission requirements of Mensa, there are a few things you can do today that will lead to a smarter YOU tomorrow. A more buoyant brain will lead to a more capable, confident you. Here are 8 things you can do to strengthen your mind and keep your confidence in tip-top shape. Play With Puzzles: Studies clearly show, people who consistently work on puzzles, word challenges and other mind games, are actually raising their IQ. Not only can you make yourself smarter with daily crosswords or other mind challenging puzzles, you can also help to stave off Alzheimer’s and other mind-debilitating diseases. Talk to People: Yes, simple discussion can boost your brain power. But you must learn to steer clear of sm... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4225717 Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:44:19 +0100 4225717 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4220478&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FlkkbiaL-uxU%2F Being an adult means maintaining a healthy lifestyle, being financially responsible and managing your life so it feels significant, purposeful, and fulfilling. However, sometimes with the tornado of to-do’s in a day, we lose our ground and need to reboot. If you’re not feeling your best, then you’re not feeling your most confident. Here Are 10 Ways To Stay Smart In A World Of Grown-Ups. Sharing is caring. Feeling ownership over your accomplishments and station in life will feel even better once you share your talent. Displaying selflessness towards others by being supportive and volunteering your time is a virtue. A place for everything and everything in its place. Clutter is stressful and let’s face it, rather disgusting. If you have a closet, desk or a room with stuff you never ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4220478 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:37:16 +0100 4220478 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214425&cid=t_125302_136_f&fid=39213&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbeingcancer.net%2F2010%2F11%2F30%2Flying-in-limbo-sort-of%2F waiting... There are a number of limbos that we cancer survivors endure – waiting for test results especially biopsy results, wondering when remission will end, worrying if the treatment will take hold.  By that measure the limbo I currently find myself in is not so much a big deal.  You can always count on cancer to put things into perspective. Where I am is waiting for Unum, my disability insurance company, to decide on extending or terminating my claim.  They have heard from all the doctors, six in number.  But how the dermatologist or otolaryngologist or urologist can shed light on the state of my disability, I have yet to fathom.  Unum have looked at all my recent $50 – $200 pay stubs and the income tax returns for the past two years.  I am just waiting to hear their... Being Cancer Network blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214425 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 01:07:45 +0100 4214425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4225718&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F1e4lNhDtfY4%2F You’ve seen it before and you didn’t like it. A mom lobbing verbal grenades at her obnoxious children, a husband making his point with syllables of flaming anger, or an irate customer beating a clerk into submission with the subtlety of a tsunami. When your voice erupts in a detonation of decibels, you’ve lost control. The person on the receiving end of your ill temper (and manners) must either match your fury with their own fire or quench it with a cold shoulder. Volume doesn’t equal confidence. In fact, when someone is using an overly amplified voice to make their point, it’s an indication they’re teetering at the edge of uncertainty. Speak softly, with an even measure of clarity and confidence, and you will demolish defensive barriers and more easily invite the attention of ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4225718 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:27:43 +0100 4225718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214538&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FAxRAvdMlQv8%2F What is the single biggest roadblock to your dreams? Fear. Is fear of the unknown, fear of losing control, or fear of making the wrong decision keeping you from the life you’ve been longing to live? Is your confidence being sucked dry by your fears? I have the perfect antidote – gratitude. The power of gratitude is unrivaled by any other emotion, even love. In gratitude there can be no fear. If you don’t believe me, the next time you are afraid or worrying about the future, stop and be grateful for anything, then notice what happens. Just by thinking the words “I’m grateful for…” can change your entire outlook on life in that moment. Do you allow your fears to overcome you, forcing you into the fetal position, distracting you from the power of truth that lies deep within... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214538 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:32:16 +0100 4214538 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4207527&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FzVdH8iBjZoo%2F The objective is to keep your space without falling down. Twister is loads of fun, with lots of laughter a near guarantee. 4. Tetris. This highly addictive digital puzzle game is one of the most popular games in the world (and it can be downloaded online for free!). Tetris starts with colored blocks in assorted geometric shapes, falling at a slow pace. The objective is to drop the pieces, fitting them together until there are four rows of neatly lined blocks. When done, the screen will clear and you can continue. As the blocks start dropping faster, it’s up to the player to think quicker. Tetris will show you exactly how fast your mind and fingers can work together. 5. Oregon Trail. This educational computer game is a classic! Oregon Trail is a role playing game where you assume the role... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4207527 Sun, 28 Nov 2010 01:40:32 +0100 4207527 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4203328&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FyD7lqAyYKU8%2F Are people telling you that you look tired, run-down, or you’re aging like a President in the White House? Or maybe nobody has noticed yet, but you have. You’re routine is just that, routine, day-in-day-out work, responsibilities, sleep (if you’re lucky) and some days you feel like Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon, you’re “too old for this s*&#!” Want to feel better and look younger? Change your routine! Get outside and get some exercise. Whether you walk, jog, play tennis, basketball, or golf, outdoor activities provide us with physical and mental exercises which can help us feel better and younger. Here’s some reasons that opening your door and stepping outside might be the best thing you can do for yourself today. Be a kid again. Remember when you couldn’t wait to go ou... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4203328 Fri, 26 Nov 2010 18:56:16 +0100 4203328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4200754&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FiTyMeyin0GY%2F Remember that telephone game we played as children? We all sat in a circle and the first person whispered a simple statement such as, “She is a girl” into a person’s ear. By the time the phrase was whispered to everyone in the circle it would turn into “She is a nice gorilla.” It was funny at the time, but now when our friends say, “Did you hear about ____” our ears perk up and an audience is born. Gossip hurts people, but most of us love to hear it anyway. Tabloids make a mint writing about celebrities and people getting their hearts smashed to smithereens. Gossip tends to hold a bottomless well of interest, yet when you are talking about someone when they are not around, ask yourself if you would feel comfortable sharing the same information if they were standing right in f... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4200754 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 16:01:27 +0100 4200754 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197402&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FlNlE8vF1XSA%2F Is retiring early one of your life’s dreams? Do you long to be able to take off a few years while you are still young and healthy and travel, spend time on your hobbies or doing something else you love? Do you want to feel the confidence that comes when you’re not sweating the balance in your account? Despite the bad economy, it can be possible to retire at 55, if you’re willing to sacrifice and put in some work now. The trick is to make optimizing your finances part of your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth or loading the dishwasher. Small, consistent actions often have a more powerful long term effect than one or two large ones. By spending the equivalent of just ten minutes a day to focus on your finances, you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars a year towards you... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197402 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:00:09 +0100 4197402 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197404&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FR4tmW4s7pGU%2F No matter who you are, there’s one person who never cuts you any slack, who is with you 24/7, who believes you can always do better, and somehow finds a way to make you feel bad about yourself – no matter how hard you try. It’s no wonder your confidence is so low, with the daily butt spanking and beat down you endure minute by minute by this uncaring, demanding, perfection driven person… YOU. It’s true! Is there anyone else in your life who talks worse to you than you? Don’t get me wrong, there are other voices knocking you around as well, but yours is the loudest…and the meanest. How you were treated as a child by your parents and peers is directly related to how you talk to yourself today. While I’m a firm believer most parents do the best they can with the resour... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197404 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:21:18 +0100 4197404 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4190559&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FtRbnJeOuoos%2F According to Harvard Business Review: “Playing the blame game never works. A deep set of research shows that people who blame others for their mistakes lose status, learn less, and perform worse relative to those who own up to their mistakes. Blaming is contagious.” The bottom line is simple. When you blame others for how you feel, you give them your power.  No one can make you feel anything.  No one is more in charge of your destiny.  Believe this and watch your confidence soar. It’s an illusion if you believe, “If they’d be like that, I’d be like this.” You give away your power by believing your state is dependent on others.  By playing the blame game, you shout to the world: I have no control over my life—I’m a victim Other people in my life are more powerful than... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4190559 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:49:35 +0100 4190559 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4190561&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fq9nvnDfUUug%2F If changing who you are is easy, we’d all be doing it, right? So, when a problem arises, why is our first reaction to focus on how the person involved needs to change? If you find yourself trying to solve problems by focusing on changing people, you have your first clue as to why it’s not working. Bad communication styles are the root of most problems.  Closing the gap on what people said is the first step to transforming a bad situation into a positive one. See each problem as an opportunity to improve and transform; your business, your relationship…your life! #1 Email is NOT your friend Email is a communication tool for tactical instructions.  It’s great for next steps, follow up and task lists.  It is not a good problem solving medium.  Pick up the phone or set up time to wo... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4190561 Sun, 21 Nov 2010 16:49:13 +0100 4190561 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183590&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FaJbaS1MZk8A%2F We’ve all been there…that gnawing feeling in the pit of your stomach when you’re about to give a big presentation, fearful that you may blow it.  The hesitation that grips your chest when you step into a party and you don’t know a soul, dreading the moment you have to introduce yourself.  Most of the time, when we’re out of our comfort zone…it’s uncomfortable! For some people, those same situations seem effortless…enjoyable, in fact. Ah…yes, the gift of the gab.  Some people are born with it, others come to it by practice.  But the gift is not the ABILITY to gab, it is the ACTION of communicating.  Every person on this planet has a gift to give and when we learn to communicate effectively, we are able to share our gift with the world. So, how can it be easier to stan... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183590 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:59:59 +0100 4183590 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4190563&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FdP4_6xuqwYE%2F Are you a BIG giant phony? Are you walking around acting out a role someone else cast you in? Perhaps someone told you “respectable people don’t do that.” Maybe you ignore your calling because you’re afraid what a loved one will think of your choices. Or perhaps, you live behind a carefully-constructed veil, never letting anyone see the real you. Because, if they can’t see the real you, then they can’t dislike the real you. Right? If that’s you, I have only one question – whose life are you living? I love to sing. Ever since I was a little kid singing to 45 records in my bedroom, I imagined myself up on a stage. Unfortunately, I never had the talent to be a “real” singer or the confidence to sing in front of anyone. Which is why I’ve always adm... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4190563 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 02:19:27 +0100 4190563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4190564&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FSlxnW-35LiE%2F You have a gift you’re probably not aware of. Even if your own life isn’t perfect (and whose is?) you have the ability to help others overcome their obstacles. We all know people who struggle with issues of self worth, are making efforts to change, or who allow life to beat them into submission. Though change has to come from within, you can help light their fire, and more importantly, give them the support they need to face their challenges. Helping friends and family is just a friendly thing to do. Helping co-workers recognize their greatness can be a bit trickier (as you don’t want to cross lines of professionalism), but if done right, can turn a mediocre (but talented) worker into a stellar team leader. Everyone has issues, but you have an advantage your issue-afflicted-f... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4190564 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:25:13 +0100 4190564 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4176000&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FSlxnW-35LiE%2F You have a gift you’re probably not aware of. Even if your own life isn’t perfect (and whose is?) you have the ability to help others overcome their obstacles. We all know people who struggle with issues of self worth, are making efforts to change, or who allow life to beat them into submission. Though change has to come from within, you can help light their fire, and more importantly, give them the support they need to face their challenges. Helping friends and family is just a friendly thing to do. Helping co-workers recognize their greatness can be a bit trickier (as you don’t want to cross lines of professionalism), but if done right, can turn a mediocre (but talented) worker into a stellar team leader. Everyone has issues, but you have an advantage your issue-afflicted-f... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4176000 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:25:13 +0100 4176000 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183591&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FWFpYcVGssp4%2F Asking for help can be hard, especially if you’re used to doing things on your own. But inevitably life’s gonna hand you a situation that leaves you asking for help. We need others to live a rich, full life- and that includes asking others for help from time to time. If you want to build a better you, then the best thing to do is get a few others in on the job. Why Asking For Help Is The SMART Thing To Do Humans are relational beings, hard-wired for community and better together. Solitary confinement is the roughest sentence an inmate can get, yet many free, law-abiding citizens sentence themselves to solitary confinement daily by choosing isolation over living in community with others. Intimacy is essential for a full life. In isolation, we can never meet our full potential, so we mis... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183591 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:44:25 +0100 4183591 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168235&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FWFpYcVGssp4%2F Asking for help can be hard, especially if you’re used to doing things on your own. But inevitably life’s gonna hand you a situation that leaves you asking for help. We need others to live a rich, full life- and that includes asking others for help from time to time. If you want to build a better you, then the best thing to do is get a few others in on the job. Why Asking For Help Is The SMART Thing To Do Humans are relational beings, hard-wired for community and better together. Solitary confinement is the roughest sentence an inmate can get, yet many free, law-abiding citizens sentence themselves to solitary confinement daily by choosing isolation over living in community with others. Intimacy is essential for a full life. In isolation, we can never meet our full potential, so we mis... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168235 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:44:25 +0100 4168235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183592&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FS8h4gBcmaSY%2F Ever have one of those days when NOTHING seems to be going right? The bills are piling up, your boss is on your case, a co-worker won’t shut up about her lousy daughter-in-law, the kids are driving you nuts, and instead of helping, your spouse is also driving you nuts. You’ve had enough. Here’s an awesome trick to change your mood. Get up and get out. A change of scenery can instantly boost your mood. Sometimes our homes or offices just seem to press in all around us, suffocating us with a feeling of hopelessness. It’s all too easy to stay in a foul mood if you’re stuck. So get out. Take a walk – exercise releases endorphins, which make you feel better. Not the walking type? Go for a drive. Getting out of your routine (and out of your home or office) will he... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183592 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 23:30:09 +0100 4183592 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168237&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FbNX71IxAVO4%2F I admit, I swiped this trick from a friend of mine, writer Alisa Bowman. One day, she wrote about how much it helped her to re-read positive emails from friends when she was feeling down and discouraged. I was a bit skeptical and felt sheepish the first time I tried, but soon that all melted away as I searched for and read some of the nicer things people have ever said about me. It’s easy to forget how much we really do matter in this world. In fact, it’s almost painful to type it out, as decades of social conditioning have taught me that I should disregard those feelings and instead focus on my shortcomings. The thing is, paying attention to the good things we have done and how much people like us for our unique personalities empowers us to continue to make good choices. I want you to... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168237 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 19:44:43 +0100 4168237 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168238&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FRzIumAQuNS0%2F One of the fondest memories I have of an old friend of mine is how she would bring me the funniest little things just because they reminded him of me. Nothing huge or expensive, just a little something to brighten my day like a funny postcard she found at a flea market or some homemade cookies. She did this for everyone and we all loved her to pieces, not because of the value of the stuff she gave, but because it showed she thought of us, knew our personalities well, and wanted to brighten our days. Doing small kindnesses for others is always a win-win. Whoever said it’s better to give than receive was right in more ways that one. We get a sort of high from doing nice things for others, even if some cynics say it means we aren’t really being very nice and it’s all just selfishness. P... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168238 Fri, 12 Nov 2010 16:44:44 +0100 4168238 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168239&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fr3sszGPqmg4%2F How much does it cost to keep your friends and family happy? Do you find yourself with one foot out the door when things don’t go your way? What is your exit strategy for an unhappy relationship? Brian Tracey tells sales people and business owners, “If the grass is always greener, then you must not be fertilizing your own grass enough.” It ALWAYS costs more to get a new customer than it does to keep one. Why would this be different in our personal lives? The common denominator is usually the problem. In this case, the common denominator is YOU. Tony Robbins says, “The quality of your life is in direct proportion to the quality of your relationships.”  Is this statement true? Are the most important “clients” (people) in your life those you have invested with  through time, e... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168239 Fri, 12 Nov 2010 05:25:29 +0100 4168239 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159538&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fr3sszGPqmg4%2F How much does it cost to keep your friends and family happy? Do you find yourself with one foot out the door when things don’t go your way? What is your exit strategy for an unhappy relationship? Brian Tracey tells sales people and business owners, “If the grass is always greener, then you must not be fertilizing your own grass enough.” It ALWAYS costs more to get a new customer than it does to keep one. Why would this be different in our personal lives? The common denominator is usually the problem. In this case, the common denominator is YOU. Tony Robbins says, “The quality of your life is in direct proportion to the quality of your relationships.”  Is this statement true? Are the most important “clients” (people) in your life those you have invested with  through time, e... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159538 Fri, 12 Nov 2010 05:25:29 +0100 4159538 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168240&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F3sOOY_dyoic%2F Are you feeling like your wheels are spinning out of control and going nowhere? If your work time is tipping the scales toward WAY TOO MUCH!, it’s time to take a time- out and find a meaningful way to balance your energy. 1.  You’re running on empty. Sleep is an essential part of life. Accept it. The only time your body will restore itself is while you are sleeping. Most adults need between six and eight hours of sleep to feel refreshed. You’ve been depriving yourself, now it’s time to recover. 2.  You’re spinning out of control. Work related stress, insomnia, guilt, and over scheduling yourself, are all part of the perfect recipe for mounting insanity. If you expect to get grounded, you must take stock in your actions and eliminate unrealistic expectations, negativity, and bus... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168240 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:58:17 +0100 4168240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168241&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FUSIWvgrx3uc%2F “Focusing on the the act of breathing clears the mind of all daily distractions and clears our energy enabling us to better connect with the Spirit within.” ~Author Unknown Inhaling and exhaling goes hand in hand with the beating of our hearts. We do it 20,000 times a day, but if you don’t do it right you are affecting your health and happiness in a negative way. Without breath, there is no life. Are you living without life? Here are ways to ensure you are breathing well and living right: 1.  Getting Oxygen. Without it, you die in minutes. Filling your daily life with different forms of aerobic exercise gives your body endurance, builds healthy muscles, and is energizing. Finding simple ways to nurture you mind and body through activities like walking, swimming, jogging, or dancing... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168241 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:52:09 +0100 4168241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4152328&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FpxgPU3mACOs%2F I like to focus on receptive and expressive intelligence, which I call CQ. A healthy dose of CQ is essential when being in charge of a group or team because the task of motivating them often falls to you. This may seem unfair. After all, isn’t everybody responsible for their own performance? Yes, but being a team leader means leaving your unawake ego at the door and leading your empowered ego to join your team. If you have the opportunity to help move a project along, you do it; you don’t worry about whose responsibility it is. Your role is to monitor the well being of the entire group and help whenever possible. Now, motivation is not a perfect science, but there are some time-tested ways with good rates of success. The following are steps I’ve learned over time and are ones I now r... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4152328 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:55:15 +0100 4152328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4152329&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fl9PBELrUeZE%2F Do you know what’s best about a salty bowl of chips, queso and a yummy margarita? They never tell you no, they won’t leave you and, honestly, they don’t care if you’re fat. But what do THEY do for YOU? Do you rise the next morning patting yourself on the back, celebrating your great decision to signal the waitress for the 3rd time you are running low on chips?  I doubt it.  And if you do, this post probably isn’t for you.  But, if you’ve ever eaten any food and thought, “This is better than sex,” I’m talking directly to you. If you want to love yourself more than you love your next French fry, start treating your physical self the way you would treat a Ferrari.  Your body is a gift, no matter how big or how small, and it’s yours to have for as long as you take care... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4152329 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:09:35 +0100 4152329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4098515&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FFXDS_KqVdiQ%2F Self-esteem is the way you judge and look at yourself.  Some people believe that their appearance will enhance their level of self-esteem, but in reality, having high self-esteem comes from the ability to see yourself special and unique all the time. Do you see yourself as special and unique?  Do you have high self-esteem?  Do you love yourself? No? Here is a quick 5-point guide to build self esteem when you forget how great you are: 1.  Believe in your inner beauty Don’t say to yourself that you are not beautiful nor unique.  Know that every person is unique and true gift to the world.  There is no one on earth like you and you have a lot to offer to humanity. 2.  Believe in your mind power Know that the way you see yourself comes from the power of your thoughts and mind.  U... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4098515 Sat, 23 Oct 2010 18:10:55 +0100 4098515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4077608&cid=t_125302_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fspirituality-is-an-awakening%2F What is Spirituality? “Spirituality is an awakening—or is it all the loose ends woven together into a mellow fabric? It’s understanding—or is it all the knowledge one need ever know? It’s freedom—if you consider fear slavery. It’s confidence—or is it the belief that a higher power will see you through any storm or gale? It’s adhering to the dictates of your conscience—or is it a deep, genuine, living concern for the people and the planet? It’s peace of mind in the face of adversity. It’s a keen and sharpened desire for survival. From; AA book – Came to Believe, 2004, pg. 5 See also Spiritual Health Blockages SPIRITUAL AWAKENING Spirituality Books Inspirational Books 12 Spiritual Questions Share, print or e-mail this articleWhat About This Spiritual Awa... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4077608 Sat, 16 Oct 2010 14:46:04 +0100 4077608 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4055784&cid=t_125302_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F11%2Ftherapists-busting-out-online-where-are-we-now%2F I can hardly believe it’s been almost a year since my first Psych Central piece, Psychotherapists Unmasked on the Internet, which examined the changing landscape of our field as it relates to therapists having an online presence.  There was a paradigm shift occurring, a changing of the guard, from older ideas about how therapists were “supposed” to be presenting themselves — to newer thinking that embraced putting yourself out there (picture and all) on a website with information about you, your philosophy about therapy, articles about specific topics, etc. I had a number of comments on this piece from therapists trying to find their way in this foreign territory.  Marsha Lucas, PhD, said, “It’s a very different experience, walking into the waiting room to meet a new pati... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4055784 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 10:15:38 +0100 4055784 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4045357&cid=t_125302_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fwhispers.html My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world....you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie — just as it has taught you, abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. ~ I John 20: 1-2, 20, 27-28 ~I hear the whispers in the quiet communion between these tw... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4045357 Fri, 08 Oct 2010 01:29:00 +0100 4045357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3994419&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38619&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FALifeCoachsBlog%2F%7E3%2FKtFzvBHbTOM%2F If I could show you a way that would absolutely guarantee you have the power to positively change how you think about any situation, would you want to know about it? And no, I’m not talking about anchoring, reframing or the need to consume large amounts of alcohol. Well I can. I can show you a process that can move you from nervous to confident, or from uninspired to motivated, or between more or less any two states you choose. Today I’m going to explain to you how you can use one of the most powerful tools NLP (neurolinguistic programming) has to offer. This post cannot be scanned and requires your total attention if you want to get anything out of it of value. If you have a copy of How To Be Rich and Happy you may already be familiar with submodalities as we talk about them in the bo... Life Coach Blog: The Discomfort Zone : blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3994419 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 20:11:23 +0100 3994419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3972887&cid=t_125302_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fhow-to-be-alone-%25e2%2580%2594-its-more-fun-than-you-think%2F Yes, being alone sometimes sucks. But it can also be awesome. Check out this video below and let us know what your favorite thing about spending some time solo is. via The Frisky Post from: BlissTree How to Be Alone — It's More Fun Than You Think (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3972887 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:11:59 +0100 3972887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3954509&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FD2mSIQVqFV0%2F It is true that a lot of people want to lose weight for health reasons, but it is also true that one of the primary reasons that makes people think of their weight is because they want to look good. This is certainly acceptable because what we look outside greatly affects how we feel about ourselves inside. People who are leaner receive compliments from family and friends and this improves their self-esteem in one way or another. Fat (overweight) people on the other hand are even criticized for being fat and this has a negative impact on their self-esteem and sometimes it may even cause depression. An overweight or obese person could even hear hurtful words like “you are ugly”, “we don’t have your size”, and “you’ll die young” which could pull their self-esteem to the groun... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3954509 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 04:38:37 +0100 3954509 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3921104&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FsS1K9QCzvtQ%2F In the hit film Inception Leonardo DiCaprio plays a man who can enter peoples’ dreams to steal corporate secrets. At one point (spoiler coming) he enters a businessman’s dream and is driving down a city street in a parade of cars when a 300-ton freight train juggernauts out of a side road and smashes into the lead car taking vehicles, asphalt and everything else with it…. If you are a people pleaser, then not only are you in a dream-world where you think others control you, but you are also in that lead car. And each time you give in to someone and compromise your dreams you get hit…hard. In this article I’m going to introduce several ‘truths’ about the mindset that leads to people pleasing, the repercussions, and what you can do about it to keep yourself ‘on track’ (and ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3921104 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:25:44 +0100 3921104 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3833591&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fmuz4LZT6s7o%2F Negativity can suck the motivation right out of you. You can be yourself, all motivated and ready to take action when suddenly some negative person tells you that you can’t do it, that you’re just going to fail and nothing is going to come of it. Wow. Talk about depressing. Negative people can destroy our beliefs in ourselves & take away the motivation that so many struggle to get in the first place. The truth is, negativity kills motivation. Unless you stop it. And it’s easier than you might think. The first thing you need to do is identify & avoid the negative influences in your life. I’ve done a pretty good job at avoiding negative influences throughout my life, but there was one girl that I met while I was working at McDonalds and we became fri... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3833591 Sat, 07 Aug 2010 17:46:17 +0100 3833591 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3823131&cid=t_125302_136_f&fid=39213&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbeingcancer.net%2F2010%2F08%2F04%2Freturning-to-work%2F Back in March of 2004, I walked out of the cancer center where I worked.  I had just found out a week before that my leukemia had returned.  I did not know that this would be my last day as an ‘employed worker’.  I went on medical leave to endure a second round of treatment.  That treatment was successful but we knew that the disease would return, probably sooner than my first 26 month remission.  Again we faced the decision of a bone marrow transplant.  I was two years older now.  Second remissions are harder to achieve as the leukemia cells that survive and sanctuary in the body are the most resistant ones. I was transplanted in August 2004 with stem cells from my brother, Mark.  The rest is a story of survival from then til now, punctuated by a long series of infecti... Being Cancer Network blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3823131 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:01:08 +0100 3823131 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790668&cid=t_125302_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fgrab-your-lucky-sock-before-your-next-job-interview%2F photo: Thinkstock Deep down, we all know that our lucky charms aren’t really what get us the job or find us the perfect apartment… It’s really our self-confidence that allows us to achieve our dreams. Right. But before we cue up “When You Wish Upon a Star,” let’s get real: believing in yourself is great, but actually having your lucky object with you might really make you perform better than confidence alone in stressful situations. In a recent study, volunteers who had their lucky object taken away from them performed worse than those who had their talisman with them. Do you have a lucky charm? Let us know what brings you luck in the comments. via MSNBC Post from: BlissTree Grab Your Lucky Sock Before Your Next Job Interview (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790668 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:08:46 +0100 3790668 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3776643&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FtdmulWQq32s%2F Photo Credit: Vecchia Betty/Flickr There’s a climactic moment in the movie Castaway where Tom Hanks, who has been shipwrecked on a desert island, finally creates the one thing that can provide him with a means for survival: FIRE. The pure ecstasy that fills him as he dances around the beach, screaming like a kid who just won the big game, is palpable. Just when things were looking so grim, he found that one spark. Enough to fan into a raging fire. And that was enough to give him hope. When people are passionate, we often say they have a “fire in the belly” or that they’re “firing on all cylinders.” Fire is full of energy and heat. It’s what we all want to feel inside—a sense of passion for what we do and what we stand for. Unfortunately, it isn’t so easy to find. I often... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3776643 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:53:23 +0100 3776643 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3754124&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fi1rgYSBzW6k%2F Photo credit: OpenDemocracy Power: What a subject. We all desire power to varying degrees whether we call it ‘power’ or ‘control’ or something else; whether or not it’s ‘power’ over ourselves or ‘power’ over others; power to do good, power to do evil, power to create, power to destroy…and so on. We are fascinated by the subject. We write about it: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” -Lord Acton We sing about it. “I got the power!” -The Hit Crew We study those who exercise it in one form or another. “The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He must inflict them once and for all.” – Niccolo Machiavelli Ultimately, despite all this attention paid, there is one foundational �... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3754124 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 05:01:07 +0100 3754124 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3743743&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FjiYGkiEEC0E%2F Photo credit: Celebrity Jigsaw It’s easy to hate Eminem. For some, it’s just as easy to love him. Eminem exploded into the mainstream with The Slim Shady LP in 1998. With virtuosity in his rhyme schemes, and a delivery pole dancing with precision, Em flirted with the suburbs in a way hip-hop had never managed before. Through it all was Em’s incessant swagger. Love him or hate him, Eminem has all the qualities allowing you to look life in the eye and demand the best.You don’t have to use a lot of potty talk or aim a metric ton of adolescent one-liners at everyone who’s ever made you angry, but if you follow these five qualities, you, too, can have some of Eminem’s confidence. 1) You’re the only one with your story. Don’t be too timid to tell it. Don’t try to fit in when y... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3743743 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 05:45:15 +0100 3743743 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3733336&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FwIHpaZg_Tuo%2F Why do people have bad habits? Do you know that some people smoke only to control anxiety? The automatic movement that the person does while smoking makes the person believe that he is in control of his environment and that’s why most smokers smoke when they feel anxious. It is in fact, one of the main reasons people start to smoke in the first place! Do you know that some shopping addicts only buy things to improve their moods and not because they really want any thing they are buying? Those people go for quick fixes such as shopping to improve their bad moods or ease their stress. Ironically, these quick fixes actually worsen their moods and increase their stress (when they realize how much they’ve spent) when the high has faded. Do you know that most drug addicts only use drugs ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3733336 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 05:13:23 +0100 3733336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3730128&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FnJbeV5UydPg%2F “Original Fake” Photo Credit: courtesy of MashKulture Is your self-confidence natural, or a daily struggle? Many people’s confidence naturally wavers from day to day, leaving them too timid or confused at just the wrong time. Whether you are naturally confident or could use some better eye contact with your life, setting in place a few simple strategies goes a long way to stoke your inner confidence. If you think you’re not especially smart or capable, or that failure is a given no matter how hard you try, you’re right. And if you believe you’re brilliant and can accomplish anything you set your mind to, you’re right. Amplifying your inner confidence is like any other skill you develop; you can do it in a blink. Day by day, step by step, you will get closer to your go... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3730128 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 07:01:27 +0100 3730128 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3714475&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F5z0FjDl8taQ%2F How many times have you felt like your lack of self confidence was holding you back in life? How many times have you beaten yourself up because of fear, and hesitancy left you too tired to fight? How many times have you looked at someone else and thought they had everything easy because natural confidence seemed to seep through their pores. Believe it or not, those people don’t have anything you don’t, except practice. Cracking the confidence code requires you to understand that confidence is something within reach, but only if you’re willing to do a little work. Once you start actively working on your confidence, you’ll find a snowball effect, with success piling on itself and making true confidence easier to achieve. The most difficult part is deciding to do something about y... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3714475 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 05:13:56 +0100 3714475 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3710829&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FOr1oLBN6e4s%2F Image courtesy of William Steig/NY Magazine I have a confession to make: I’m not a planner and I don’t have any real productivity system to speak of. I’ve tried systems like David Allen’s Get Things Done and after a month of I gave up on them. Sometimes I felt more productive while using the systems, but when it came to assessing my overall productivity at the end of the day, I could see little difference. So what did I do? I blamed myself. I thought of myself as “not good enough” or lacking the attention span necessary to keep track of everything. It seemed that the moment I wrote something down, or made some note on my computer, I’d never look at it again. It was only much later that I realized that what might be perceived as “not good enou... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3710829 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 05:51:37 +0100 3710829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3703119&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FmBUpZIU5IfQ%2F A couple of days ago, sadly, shockingly, one of my dear friends took her own life. I will miss her largely, and will treasure her joy, laughter, incredible energy, savory jokes, smile, and her love of people. She was a special jewel, and I hope she knows how special she was, even in her afterlife. When these unforgettable and unexpected events occur in life, I struggle to understand “the lesson.” I believe that my girlfriend is in a more peaceful place, so the lesson is really for me. My friend was on a roll. But it wasn’t a good roll; it was a downward roll, worsened by procrastination. There were other things involved of course, but I feel that the “devil of procrastination” ultimately took her down. Others may say it was “finances,” or “depression,” but I think her fin... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3703119 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 03:42:59 +0100 3703119 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695844&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FrkTORJOElys%2F Photo Courtesy of exfordy Every morning we wake up and face a new day with new challenges. It’s  human nature and this is the course of life. Even if I was not always prepared for whatever fate has given me to carry on my shoulders I struggled and I managed to get all things to an end. One of the greatest challenges I faced was fear: fear of change, fear of making wrong decisions and fear of holding my point of view. This instinct of fear can mess up our lives distorting the way we look at ourselves and at the people around us. From definitions, fear is a pre-programmed emotion that acts as an instinctual response to potential danger. And this instinctual response causes different physical reactions, because when we are afraid, the adrenaline and the stress hormone cortisol are released... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695844 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 06:01:57 +0100 3695844 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3691137&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FucgIJTeFR_o%2F “It Takes Money To Make Money!” No. It doesn’t. Again, with this statement we believe that we are dependent on those who are sitting on a mountain of money. It takes an investment to make money or create wealth. An investment can be time, resources (the use of a PC), home- office space, automobile, learning, training, energy, love, planning, practicing—all these can be money-free investments. This myth is perpetuated by existing Power Brokers (I have nothing against them), who invite you to feed their dream. If you dare to try to break away to build your own personal dream, they’ve got it covered. If you are breaking away from indentured servanthood, at least they can loan you the money and earn the interest for it. Whether it be a government loan, a small business loan... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3691137 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 07:04:37 +0100 3691137 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3780414&cid=t_125302_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F14952966%2F1m1bmo%2Fneuromarketing%7EConfidence-Beats-Competence.htm What are the ideal characteristics for a person in a sales position? Great people skills? Strong product knowledge? Add confidence to the list. Continuing a discussion started in Convince With Confidence, there’s more evidence that the average person finds a confident demeanor persuasive, even when the confidence may mask a lower level of competence. Doctors [...] CommentsWell, I have a different take on it. Having people confidently ... by jamGood post ROger, thanks. I would also add resilience. It's an ... by Brendon ClarkPlus 2 more... (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3780414 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:38:00 +0100 3780414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3645084&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FKEcjujWFZzk%2F Are you nailing job interviews, closing new clients, and maximizing every meeting? Most likely you aren’t, but I’ll show you how I blew a huge meeting and what you can learn from my mistakes. Bottom line . . . you need to prepare for key meetings. It doesn’t matter if you are on an interview, auditioning for a TV show, meeting a prospect for your business, or trying to get your kid into a sw.y private school. It doesn’t matter if the meeting is at your office or theirs. You need to invest some of your other 8 hours into preparing for your big meetings. Why? It’s simple. If you don’t prepare for a meeting, someone else will control it. If you have something important to say, you might not get the chance to share it. And when I say “control,” I... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3645084 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 03:20:11 +0100 3645084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3641361&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FFKE31ApShjI%2F PickTheBrain is proud to present a 10 Part series, written by Deborah S. Nelson of Author Your Dreams. Money Myth 1:  “I Can’t Afford It!” Can’t afford It.” How many times do we repeat this in a day? It has been astutely stated, “possession is nine-tenths of the law.” It is also the basic tenant of advertising that by repeating something over and over again, it becomes truth. Let’s face it: 50 years ago, no one needed deodorant. Mankind survived for thousands and thousands of years without it. Suddenly in the past 50 years, deodorant is an absolute necessity in polite culture. So how did that happen? Repetition creates reality; and using mass communications, repetition created the “deodorant reality” for millions of people. Repetition is how advertising works: “I ca... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3641361 Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:50:36 +0100 3641361 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3633639&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FrmNzgpiba3Y%2F Image courtesy of W. Roberts Hocus pocus In the movies we have all seen witches cursing people and turning their lives to hell but did you know that humans curse each other and force each other to live miserably without noticing? In a movie all a witch has to do is to speak some words like hocus pocus and the curse starts working. In the real world this happens in very similar manner. In this article I will tell you about psychological curses, how they affect your life and how to prevent others from cursing you. A few things you need to know about the human mind: Before you understand how a psychological curse works you need to know few concepts about the operation of the human mind: • We get what we focus on: If you believe that you are a loser your mind will filter all memories that pr... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3633639 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 02:41:16 +0100 3633639 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3592436&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38619&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FALifeCoachsBlog%2F%7E3%2FowUH0xNvN3s%2F I’m not quite sure if impulsively setting up a survey in my last post was a great idea or a really stupid one. At the time of writing I’ve had about 100 responses and I think it’s fair to say that the jury is still out, on oh, ya know, just about everything. Everything that is, with the possible exception that almost everybody wants to read posts about canine attacks on my genitalia. Thanks a lot for that. Some of the answers have really caught me by surprise and prompted me to have a bit of a re-think. I still really, really want to hear what you have to say if you haven’t already filled it in. I know it means a couple of tiresome clicks if you’re reading on a smart phone or via e-mail, but it will be worth it as I send lots of life coach love your way. So click here (after ... Life Coach Blog: The Discomfort Zone : blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3592436 Sun, 23 May 2010 18:15:40 +0100 3592436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3585880&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FsrCjFd7QW80%2F First, let’s find out what the importance of motivation is exactly. Simply put, motivation is that driving force which allows you to achieve your goals and go after what you want in life. If you want to change your personality for the better, get a promotion at work, start a new habit, be a better person who is part of the community, become a better parent for your kid – all of these things would be easier accomplished if you are properly motivated. As long as you have a strong personal motivation, you can achieve almost anything that you want from life. However, remember not to fall into the trap of looking for short-cuts to achieve your goals. It’s perfectly fine if you have to take a long and winding road to achieve your goal. It will even be a sweeter victory when you finally ach... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3585880 Fri, 21 May 2010 07:21:13 +0100 3585880 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581882&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F8I3y507-t40%2F Image courtesy of Flickr/Ilovegreentea Success is defined as the favorable attempt at an endeavor.  Today I want to briefly talk about succeeding in life.  I don’t believe success is the result of good luck, or being born in the right family.  I believe there are principles that cause success, and if anyone follows these principles, they’ll succeed. Success is not easy, but it is possible, and its price is far less than the price of failure.  Given this, I think it’s important that we study the principles of success.  You will only master what you study. 7 Must Read Keys to Successful Living: 1. Dare to do the Impossible You should dare to do something today that you think is impossible.  Are you spending your time doing just the possible?  Everyone should be working daily to ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581882 Thu, 20 May 2010 05:26:59 +0100 3581882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3577677&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F9fA3xpoPPA0%2F Image courtesy of Hashem Abrishami In previous articles, I have discussed just how deeply unemployment can affect a person’s self confidence.  And let’s face it, if you don’t feel good, you probably don’t look good.  You see, another downside of unemployment is that it can do damage to your good looks. I’m certain many of you, as you read this, are shaking your heads or snickering while thinking, “I’ve got plenty more to worry about than what I look like right now.”  And you could be right, but you also might be wrong.  So keep reading. At first, upon receiving the proverbial axe, the pink slip, you might, that following Monday morning, revel in the fact that you don’t have to wake up at 5:30am to take a shower, do your hair and put on a suit!!!  But several months d... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3577677 Wed, 19 May 2010 07:22:46 +0100 3577677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3568097&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FNY6jZ13xTTQ%2F “The Power Of One” courtesy of Shaun King Everyone and their brother has the “secret” to being rich. Countless books, articles, and late-night infomercials have revealed how we can all live in palm tree lined mansions and drive bright red Ferraris. So why are so many of us struggling? Because we have learned to be poor. It’s time we changed this… Many poor people — and by “poor” I mean financially but also living below your true potential — may have developed the belief that no matter how hard they work and how much education they get they will never get out of the financial and personal straight-jacket they are in. They may look at investing the other 8 hours and think it can work for others but that it will never work for them.... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3568097 Sat, 15 May 2010 22:58:03 +0100 3568097 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3566662&cid=t_125302_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F14%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-may-21-2010%2F Is it too late for spring fever? Those of you who are anticipating the end of a school year or an upcoming vacation (based on the tweets of our Twitter followers and Facebook friends there are a lot of you) will love this end of the week list of top posts. Why? Because we’ve got tips on how to get motivated, build your confidence, open yourself up to the possibility of love and make use of all that time you’ve spent sitting, waiting and dreaming of something you’d rather be doing instead of what you’re doing right now. So here we go! How the Moments You’re Missing Can Lead to a Better Life (Mindfulness & Psychotherapy) – In between point A where you are and point C where you want to get to, there’s point B the here and now. Learn how to embrace... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3566662 Fri, 14 May 2010 13:33:06 +0100 3566662 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3564028&cid=t_125302_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F14%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-may-21-2010%2F Is it too late for spring fever? Those of you who are anticipating the end of a school year or an upcoming vacation (based on the tweets of our Twitter followers and Facebook friends there are a lot of you) will love this end of the week list of top posts. Why? Because we’ve got tips on how to get motivated, build your confidence, open yourself up to the possibility of love and make use of all that time you’ve spent sitting, waiting and dreaming of something you’d rather be doing instead of what you’re doing right now. So here we go! How the Moments You’re Missing Can Lead to a Better Life (Mindfulness & Psychotherapy) – In between point A where you are and point C where you want to get to, there’s point B the here and now. Learn how to embrace... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3564028 Fri, 14 May 2010 13:33:06 +0100 3564028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3560355&cid=t_125302_122_f&fid=34736&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FChannelN-PodcastsPoweredByOdiogo%2F%7E3%2FQq-XyUo9Czw%2Fconfidence-and-golf-psychology.html Golf Psychology: Confidence-Expectation Connection in Golf A sports psychologist explains the difference between confidence and expectations in golf, and how it can affect your game. See the complete series of Dr. Cohn’s golf psychology videos, as well as psychology applied to other sports, here. [This post is dedicated to the Vancouver Canucks.] (Source: Channel N) Channel N blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3560355 Thu, 13 May 2010 12:30:16 +0100 3560355 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3552246&cid=t_125302_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ffaith-in-healthcare-is-falling%2F2010.05.10 A newly-created index of consumer healthcare confidence has fallen steadily this year, reports The Thomson Reuters Consumer Healthcare Sentiment Index. Consumers report declining confidence in their ability to access, use, and pay for healthcare. The index, set at a baseline of 100 in December 2009, is now at 97. More consumers reported difficulty paying for services and insurance, or reported a reduction or cancellation of their insurance. More delayed or failed to fill a prescription in the past three months or canceled a diagnostic test (such as blood work, X-ray or mammogram). Further, consumers expect the situation to worsen in the next three months, including putting off elective surgery. Thomson will report figures monthly and has published their methodology online. *This bl... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3552246 Mon, 10 May 2010 20:00:00 +0100 3552246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3526982&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FAM4kRkhkMgo%2F Image courtesy of Designzzz Life today has become so complicated that we often feel suffocated by a little something called ‘Stress’. Whether it is an eight year old school boy, a thirty year old executive or a seventy year old retiree, everyone feels the stress at some point. But what exactly is Stress? Stress is the emotional and physical pressure we feel due to our surroundings. It can be real, perceived or both, depending on the kind of situation. Ironically our brain reacts to both the same way. It is commonly said, ‘Life acts and we react’. Thus stress is something we feel when we have to face the actions of life, in other words the challenges of life. So when life gets you down…here are five ways to beat stress – and keep it away for good. Get Organized: Always p... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3526982 Mon, 03 May 2010 03:31:13 +0100 3526982 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3508499&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F3dX71iIWk5A%2F Just for the record I have never seen the numerous films involving competing cheerleaders! But some measure of this attitude of BRING IT ON (TO WIN IT!); this Rocky Balboa spirit of ‘get up and get at it’; this Winston Churchill “never give up, never give in” attitude is absolutely essential if you want to make your dreams come true. I love it when people who already possess this attitudes come to me for professional effectiveness coaching because either they are going places or know they should be – and are prepared to do something about it! But what if you want to develop more of this ‘bring it on’ spirit? How do you do it? Well, the bad news is that the answer will be somewhat different for everyone because everyone is starting from a different point. However, the good... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508499 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 06:23:24 +0100 3508499 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3505162&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FSSGRB7RUJaY%2F Why it is so hard to become confident? Millions of people have spent years trying to become confident without succeeding. When those people begin the quest they usually start by looking for online tips that can help them become confident quickly and this is usually what they come across: • Say “I like myself” everyday out loud: Not knowing the fact that the subconscious mind refuses to accept beliefs before solid proof is provided. Your subconscious will respond to this message saying, “Really, why do you feel worthless then if you like yourself?” • Accept yourself: Not knowing the fact that the subconscious mind can’t accept something it doesn’t like unless it can’t be changed. You can accept the death of a close relative but even if you used all the know... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3505162 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 03:55:57 +0100 3505162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3494574&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F81VGDPywVeY%2F Let me tell you the story about a single mother with blond hair, let’s call her JR for now. Now JR was at one point on welfare and struggling to raise her daughter. At that point, most people would have told her to give up on her dream of being a writer. But thankfully she did not, and today we know her as J.K. Rowling, author of the famous Harry Potter series. If you’re like me, you love a good success story. We enjoy hearing about people like J.K. Rowling who stayed motivated to achieve their dream. Of course, you’re not J.K. Rowling. You’re just some man or woman off the street plugging away quietly at your goals. So let me ask you a question. On a scale of one to ten (with ten being “motivated like a hungry wolf on a piece of steak”), on average, how... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3494574 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 05:45:38 +0100 3494574 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3480955&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FNusK_-uc7Eg%2F You wake up in the morning and determine to be happy, but your happiness can be short- lived because of other factors not within your control and they are sending negative signals to disturb your peace of mind. To be totally happy you have to handle the three components of happiness well. The three components are resolution, reaction and relation. Let’s take a look at each and every one in detail. RESOLUTION This is at a personal level. Things are within your control. You make up your mind either to attract or repel happiness. Check the following: Choice: You decide and you make a choice. Do you want to be cheerful or grumpy to start a new day? Health: Health and happiness go hand in hand. Happiness promotes good health and good health enhances happiness. It is up to you to trea... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3480955 Sat, 17 Apr 2010 18:22:09 +0100 3480955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3475774&cid=t_125302_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fpoll-of-the-day-nude-inspiration%2F Kara Dioguardi in Allure's Nude Issue Allure’s annual nude issue came out this month, and – not surprisingly – it’s getting lots of attention. The bare poses of stars Kara DioGuardi, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Colbie Caillat, Jessica Capshaw, and Regina Hall’s were all over Huffington Post, Entertainment Weekly, and CNN right away. The stars themselves reported a range of reactions to the shoot – from feeling nervous and dieting prior to the shoot, to feeling excited, confident, and munching candy bars before stripping down. Singer Colbie Caillat told Allure she was nervous about the shoot, and added: “I worried that it might make [my younger fans] think I was changing somehow. I hope they think to themselves, Yeah, she’s showing a woman’s body, a... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3475774 Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:59:47 +0100 3475774 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3472076&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FktCO3XLO-XI%2F Confidence. Our mothers and the gurus tell us that we need to have confidence to succeed in love. “Be confident,” they say, “and love is yours.” Sounds great, but the problem is we don’t understand what that really means. Confidence can be so esoteric when we are not there yet and sometimes when we do think we have it, we are actually wearing it as a thin mask over insecurity. For instance, a mask of confidence can look like, “I know it all,” or boastful self promotion that is a turn off. On the other hand a false modest confidence can look like someone is placid or shy and you have to work too hard or give too many props to bring them out to engage. So let’s break it down. The root of confidence is the word confide. Confide means to have full trust. Neither the mask of con... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3472076 Thu, 15 Apr 2010 05:07:08 +0100 3472076 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3463886&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FMENMBk8bCTI%2F This article is going to show you 3 simple and quick tools / methods you can use to boost your confidence. All of these things are quick boosts that you can do to help boost your confidence when you need it, and the more you use them the stronger your confidence will get in the long term, too. They will only take a few minutes to do, but none of them are magic / permanent solutions if all you ever do is use them once for 3 minutes. For best results you should practice them on an ongoing basis or use them at least once a day, and as you keep doing this the changes will really start to build and spill over into your every day life. Enough waffle anyway – here are my top 3 confidence building tools: Positive Affirmations: You are probably sick of hearing about affirmations, but have you act... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3463886 Tue, 13 Apr 2010 06:27:23 +0100 3463886 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3441096&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FBcnY5GZdxk8%2F Paul Raymond was an entrepreneur, property mogul and lifetime purveyor of pornography. He died fairly recently at the age of 82. The rights and wrongs of the pornography industry are one thing (which I have no intention of debating) but it has to be said that Raymond’s life is an example of how certain traits, certain ways of thinking about and doing things lead to success. I am not putting Paul Raymond on a pedestal nor suggesting that we should emulate him in every respect. Indeed, Raymond was not universally successful – though he became very rich and successful in his field, his private life was a bit of a mess and from what I’ve read, he didn’t appear to be very happy, living for many years as a recluse. This just goes to underline the fact that money does not lead to happ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3441096 Tue, 06 Apr 2010 07:12:59 +0100 3441096 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3425161&cid=t_125302_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FXVAur1CGj28%2F There is a funny concept among the softly-spoken, the meek, the apologetic excuse-makers that there is some ‘kind’ of person who is confident, capable and calm in the face of adversity. The have-nots usually disempower themselves further by making an assumption that confidence is like a genetic trait, written into the DNA of some, and left out of the chromosomes of another. It’s not, it’s a lie. Confidence is a con – it’s a lie to yourself that you can be whatever you want to be. The trick is that confident people have mastered the ability of self-delusion, and once deluded, the lie becomes real – for being confident is simply imagining yourself as already confident. That will spread a perception among others, who will react to your new-found power as if it’s you, which wil... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3425161 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 07:53:59 +0100 3425161