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 'improvement'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:57:11 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5182379&cid=t_160706_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=5181798&cid=t_160706_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-features-of-a-bundled-payment-for-care-improvement-project%2F2011.09.01 Many health care provider organizations have not been overly eager to jump onto the Accountable Care Organization (ACO) bandwagon, citing high startup costs and uncertain returns on investment given the complexity of the program.  Well, recently, the CMS Center for Innovation has announced the Bundled Payment for Care Improvement initiative.  This initiative incorporates elements of earlier CMS demonstration projects — the gainsharing demos and ACE (acute care episode) bundled payments demonstrations which the HealthBlawger has helped a number of clients around the country qualify for in the past — and builds on the broad authority granted to the CMS Center for Innovation under health reform. The advantages to proceeding with a Bundled Payment for Care Improvement project inc... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5181798 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:00:08 +0100 5181798 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5182380&cid=t_160706_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=5182381&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FzSGAwa6Gwsw%2F It’s all over the news. You can’t avoid it. No matter how much we try to deny it… The world is coming to an end. (Play eerie music here) Just this year alone we have had a prediction about the end of the world or rapture. The U.S. Government has been downgraded by S&P. Greece and Spain are in utter disarray. People are being laid off, losing their homes and are quickly watching the balances of their retirement savings diminish. I mean with times like this what is the purpose of going on? We might as well give up now. It looks like all is lost, right? Wrong! The troubles and the issues we face rather personally or as a nation are here for a purpose. Challenges do not arise to kill us, they come into existence so that they can be overcome. I am not afraid of a debt ceil... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5182381 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 05:20:08 +0100 5182381 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174885&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F8KiD7IF0cWo%2F Maybe you’ve got a big goal in your life – something that excites you but also scares you. You might have been thinking about this goal for months, years, even decades. And, even if you’ve made a start on it, you might not have got very far. Your goal might look something like this: Run a marathon Write a novel Pay off the mortgage Get a PhD Become self-employed All of these are big goals – most of them would take years to achieve. And if you really want to reach them, you need to break them down into manageable chunks. Here’s how. #1: Define Your Goal First, you’ll want to come up with a clear description of your end goal. Too many big goals are so vague that it’s hard to start and impossible to finish. For instance, if your goal is “write a novel”, what would finished... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174885 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:58:40 +0100 5174885 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174886&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FDVKRdGzKI80%2F This article isn’t meant to be doom and gloom.  It’s meant to challenge you.  If you’ve decided that your job has too much control over your life then it’s time for you to change that.  But it’s completely up to you.  Your life is yours to either own or rent out to your employer. So you have a couple of decisions to make.  First, decide if you comfortable with how much your job owns you?  Second, decide what are you going to do to change it? Go out and reclaim your life. Joey teaches people how to improve themselves while getting paid to do it (that sexy intersection of personal development and online business) over at www.FindYourDamnPurpose.com.  If that sounds interesting, check it out by >>Clicking Here Now<< Don’t Forget To Follow PickTheBrain of Twit... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174886 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 05:48:14 +0100 5174886 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5169724&cid=t_160706_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=5159930&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FnODLuWFvHwg%2F How much better would your life be if you were unbreakable? If you knew that no matter what happened that you would survive and persevere — and that maybe you’d even come out a little better? We cannot escape pain, difficulty, failure, tragedy, and heartache. Sooner or later it will find us despite our best efforts to protect ourselves. Instead of trying to bob and weave  what life throws at us, I’d rather have the comfort of knowing that I can take life’s best shot and be able to get back up and move forward. To me, that’s empowerment. Having that kind of personal fortitude and resilience is a game changer. Instead of being dogged by fear and uncertainty, you will have inner peace and confidence that you will survive. The American Psychological Association (... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159930 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 06:45:05 +0100 5159930 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159931&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F9mxaJfR-oYc%2F “I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be compassionate. It is, above all, to matter and to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all.” - Louis D. Brandeis It’s become popular over the last several years, to create vision boards in order to manifest your dreams. Vision boards are collages, made with images cut from magazines. Their purpose is to represent the abundance you want in to create and obtain in your life. The manifestation guru’s want you to believe that reaching your goals and manifesting your dreams will bring you happiness. The problem with vision boards is that they are all about ‘me,’ my needs, my wants, and my desires. They don’t stand for community, service to oth... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159931 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 05:07:25 +0100 5159931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159632&cid=t_160706_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F24%2Fthe-town-of-perth-ontarios-appreciation-of-her-past%2F My heart goes out to the people of Goderich who learned this week how quickly our architectural heritage can be severely damaged or wiped out completely. Having recently returned from a summer visit to my ancestral home (in Canada, at least, say ancestry.ca friends) I am renewed in my delight of how seriously the Town [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159632 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 19:31:39 +0100 5159632 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159932&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F5EcklokuX2U%2F A baby is a gift which enriches your feelings and emotions, but a baby can also be an inspiring teacher as well. How? In fact, she can be your biggest motivator if you pay close attention to her activities. Let me share with you some interesting observations that I believe serve as great motivational lessons. 1. Innocence Just look at the innocent activities the baby does. Sometimes, they may not make any sense to others but the baby get’s herself involved in those small happiness activities. That’s innocence. Happiness has its root in innocence. We, adults on the other hand are getting drowned in information, bath in knowledge pools. With every information on our fingertips, we have lost our innocence to overload of information. Can we turn OFF the information channel for a moment and... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159932 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 05:24:18 +0100 5159932 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5158859&cid=t_160706_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F23%2Fhow-to-guide-improving-transitions-from-the-hospital-to-a-skilled-nursing-facility-to-reduce-avoidable-rehospitalizations%2F Scan or click to download 'How-to Guide: Improving Transitions from the Hospital to a Skilled Nursing Facility to Reduce Avoidable Rehospitalizations ' Title: How-to Guide: Improving Transitions from the Hospital to a Skilled Nursing Facility to Reduce Avoidable Rehospitalizations The Skinny: Guide from Institute for Health Improvement on avoiding avoidable rehospitalisations as a result of poor co-ordination of care settings. Avoiding this is a key step toward achieving broader delivery system transformation. Based on the healthcare system of the USA this guide is of use to those looking to aviod rehospitalisation from a residentia care/nursing home and rehabilitation setting.   Publisher: Institute for Health Improvement Published: August 2011 Size: 60p. Filed under: Ooops... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5158859 Tue, 23 Aug 2011 07:35:32 +0100 5158859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159933&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FrgRzIPiSA_k%2F ‘Such as are thy habitual thoughts will be the character of the mind, for the soul is dyed by the thoughts.’ Marcus Aurelius Antoninus I recently heard the statement – ‘It’s all in your ‘ead!’ These five words contain an incredible amount of powerful information, which once understood and applied, can transform your life. For it is what’s happening within our head that will determine the type of career you command, the state of your business, the condition of your love life, the amount of money you make, the house you live in, the car you drive, and even the quality of your friends. In fact – the state of your mind, and what’s going on ‘in your ‘ead’, will determine the life you lead while here on planet earth. Here is what you must do… 1. Identify Your Habitu... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159933 Tue, 23 Aug 2011 06:49:47 +0100 5159933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159934&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FN_-6tctqyT8%2F Time is one of the few things you can’t buy. Of course, you can purchase “time-saving” gadgets and gismos. You can pay a maid to clean your house, or a personal assistant to answer your emails. But you’ll never have more than twenty-four hours in a day. Time is priceless. It’s also constant: you don’t have to do anything to make an hour go by. You’ll have experienced time flying past (at a great party) or crawling (at 4pm on Friday) – but you know that, regardless of how it feels, the minutes tick by at the same objective speed. Once a day has gone past, you’ll never get it back. In many ways, time is the most precious thing that we have. Yet most of us treat our time as though it has hardly any value at all. How We De-Value Our Time If a new friend asked you to give the... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159934 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 05:00:36 +0100 5159934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159935&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FBan6gUQYTTc%2F Recently I wrote about how you can start closing the gap between the life you are living and your best life . . . but I received some reader complaints. Desire to live their Miracle Question life? Check. Ideas and solutions to start closing the gap? Check. Energy to get their plan (and butt) into action? Not so much. And this is a valuable lesson. Inspiration and desire are only part of what is needed to close the gap, which is why desire + diet is the formula for success. Without physical and mental energy, it’s impossible to put the plan into action. This is why feeling good, having energy, and being healthy are so critical to living your best life. So, how healthy are you? Jumping on the scale can give you some indication. Analyzing your body fat percentage is another option. Mayb... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159935 Sun, 21 Aug 2011 10:00:39 +0100 5159935 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159936&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FER0ZwakDAC8%2F I’ve discovered a powerful remedy for self-destructive habits that is so simple I wondered how I missed it over the years. My self-destructive habit involved eating junk food late at night, yet my discovery will work for any chronic, self-defeating behavior. Do you do things every day that you wish you didn’t? Most people wish they had control over certain behaviors, from addictions like smoking, drinking, gambling and junk food to emotional behaviors such as anger outbursts and yelling. Other seemingly stress related habits plague millions, such as biting fingernails, fidgeting or even shopping too much. We are creatures of habit, but sometimes our habits get the best of us, even though we understand the consequences. Science Daily recently reported on a University of Alberta study in... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159936 Sat, 20 Aug 2011 06:26:34 +0100 5159936 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139620&cid=t_160706_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F19%2Fan-information-revolution-summary-of-responses-to-the-consultation%2F strong>Title: An Information Revolution: Summary of responses to the consultation Scan or click to download ‘An Information Revolution: Summary of responses to the consultation’ The Skinny: Summarises responses received to the consultation Liberating the NHS: An Information Revolution. Key identified themes: Ensuring that the information revolution benefits everyone Information for improved outcomes The need for information to be linked across health, social care and also public health Information for professionals People’s control of and access to information held in their own care records The need for clear routes (or “channels”) to information Information for patients, service users, carers and the public Information for autonomy, accountability and democrat... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139620 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 10:51:15 +0100 5139620 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140355&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FhxAIjIxibh8%2F Do you ever feel like curling up in a ball and trying to forget the problems around you? With everything going on in the world today — sky high unemployment, the housing market at its lowest point, prolonged wars in the Middle East, famine and genocide in Africa, the stock market in free-fall, and our economy sputtering almost to a stop — you sure wouldn’t be alone in wanting to do this. But there may be another option… What typically happens when you experience a crisis in one part of your life such as a major health problem, getting laid off, or having trouble paying your bills? Everything else in your life grinds to a halt. You stay at work a little longer. You exercise a little less. You dismiss your healthful diet for something faster. You neglect to write in y... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140355 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 10:42:19 +0100 5140355 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140356&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FgBZ2QMo5YbQ%2F The letter F. Think about it and two words come to the picture. One of them causes anticipation while the other leads to exasperation. I am going to talk about the latter. The word ‘Failure’! ‘Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing’. The credit to this infamous quotation usually goes to Henry Russell and Vince Lombardi. But does or rather should this quotation hold good in all spheres of life? I, at a personal level feel, there is much beyond winning. Infact, I say the real ecstasy lies beyond winning. Winning is a destination. We win; we reach the destination. We pause for some time and look for directions to set a new destination. This wonderful, joyous, victorious journey has breaks. While if we simply run after dreams; chase them; we keep moving. Dream after dream we... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140356 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:15:18 +0100 5140356 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139633&cid=t_160706_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F17%2Fdiagnostic-tool-for-emerging-clinical-commissioning-groups%2F Title: Diagnostic tool for emerging clinical commissioning groups Scan or click to download ‘Diagnostic tool for emerging clinical commissioning groups’ The Skinny: A developmental, self-assessment tool to enable emerging clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to understand and reflect upon their values, culture, behaviours and wider organisational health has been issued as an Excel spreadsheet. It allows CCG leadership teams to assess the capability of their emerging CCG across six domains, identify their development needs and access further resources and examples of good practice. The tool is intended to encourage conversations about the roles and responsibilities that will be expected of CCGs as statutory bodies and their readiness to take these on. It includes some of the ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139633 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:35:50 +0100 5139633 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140357&cid=t_160706_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=5139639&cid=t_160706_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F17%2Fnational-cancer-patients%25e2%2580%2599-experience-survey-programme-2011%2F Title: National Cancer Patients’ Experience Survey programme 2011 Scan or click to download ‘National Cancer Patients’ Experience Survey programme 2011 ‘ The Skinny: Dear Colleague letter that announces the launch of the 2011 Cancer Patient Experience Survey, and informs that the Review of Central Returns steering committee has approved this survey in all trusts offering adult acute in-patient cancer services. This is a priority in Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer, and the NHS Operating Framework 2011/12 recognises the value of patient surveys for measuring performance and driving improvement in NHS services. Publisher: DH Published: 21/07/11 Size: 3p. Additional Document:  Annex A National Cancer Patients’ experience survey programme 2011 – survey ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139639 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 07:26:40 +0100 5139639 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130646&cid=t_160706_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F15%2Fsafe-effective-service-improvement-delivering-the-safety-and-productivity-agenda-in-healthcare-using-a-lean-approach%2F Title: Safe & Effective Service Improvement: Delivering the safety and productivity agenda in healthcare using a Lean approach Scan to download Safe and Effective Service Improvement: Delivering the safety and productivity agenda in healthcare using a Lean approach. The Skinny: Guide for those with a responsibility for safety and productivity working in healthcare organisations, introducing the concept that Lean can, and already is, being used to tackle both of these important agendas. Aims to show that an absence of “Lean Thinking” inside healthcare organisations can lead to increased patient safety risks. Tackling patient safety incidents in all their many forms, from near misses through to events that cause severe harm or even death, is a priority for healthcare organisations. I... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130646 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:21:41 +0100 5130646 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130656&cid=t_160706_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F15%2Fmanual-for-cancer-services-brain-and-cns-measures%2F Title:  Manual for Cancer Services: Brain and CNS measures  Scan or Click to download 'Manual for Cancer Services: Brain and CNS measures' The Skinny: Following a three month consultation period, the final Brain and CNS Measures are now published for inclusion in the Manual for Cancer Services. The measures can also be found on the CQUINS website at http://www.cquins.nhs.net/ Publisher: DH Published: 11/07/11 Size: 66p. Filed under: Ooops Missed Category! Tagged: Brain cancer, Cancer, Grey Literature, Health Outcomes, Neoplasms, Outcomes, Quality, Quality Assurance, Quality assurance in health services, Quality Improvement, Quality management (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130656 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:10:18 +0100 5130656 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5131085&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fm3rv7YjfbAs%2F ‘There are two driving forces in your life: love and fear. Love is your higher self. It is the place of pure intention and hope. When your higher self drives your life you are on purpose and empowered. Life surges through you; you thrive and society thrives because of it. Fear, of course, is its opposite and is your lower self. It is, unfortunately, the place from where the majority of us exist. When fear drives your life you stagnate and die. You don’t live your true purpose and you become dark and heavy and the world suffers as a result. Who is the driver of your life? Who are you allowing it to be? How do you know? Most of the time you don’t, as you are totally unaware of what is controlling you and your victim circumstances. Ask yourself. Are you living your true pas... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5131085 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:21:52 +0100 5131085 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130669&cid=t_160706_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F15%2Fequity-and-excellence-liberating-the-nhs-managing-the-transition%2F Scan or click barcode to download 'Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS - Managing the Transition' Title: Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS – Managing the Transition The Skinny: Dear Colleague letter giving an update on transition arrangements with a particular focus on the new commissioning system and providing answers to some frequently asked questions on the Health and Social Care Bill. Particularly relating to: Current performance and planning for 2011/12 Developing the new commissioning system Progress on other aspects of the transition It also refers to the imminent publication of the [download id="8"]. This guidance has been developed to help retain those staff fulfilling business critical roles to sustain business continuity during the transition. Sca... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130669 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 07:17:33 +0100 5130669 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5131086&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FXocd3gFhSao%2F The motivational book industry is one of the biggest and bestselling printed materials industries not just in America, but around the world. While this is completely understandable, as many books out there have the potential to actually change the course of people’s lives, it behooves us to look at some claims with a skeptical eye. Here are a few themes that are played out in motivational books that you should think about carefully before buying into: 1. Things could be a lot worse, so accept your fate. This is one of the most bogus arguments that I hear from many motivational speakers and writers. Of course, things could be a lot worse. Things could be worse in any instance, as natural disasters, crippling poverty, and armed conflict going on around the world can attest to. At th... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5131086 Sun, 14 Aug 2011 18:17:48 +0100 5131086 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130751&cid=t_160706_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fshould-you-consider-surgery-to-improve-a-scar%2F2011.08.14 I have a wide scar on my leg that I got years ago. I have tried creams and stuff. When is surgery a good idea to improve a scar? Can a cream or a laser make it thinner? Scar improvement has several phases and the condition of your body and how the wound occurred have parts to play. Early on after wounding there is the question of whether or not to have surgery to repair the wound. If the edges are clean and close together, then surgery is not always beneficial. If they are apart or the wound is dirty a proper medical evaluation and/or surgery can make things better down the line. When in doubt, get that evaluation. Once the wound has started healing, (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Truth in Cosmetic Surgery* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130751 Sun, 14 Aug 2011 16:00:56 +0100 5130751 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5131087&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FqA6AHmk7U7g%2F Everyone would rather do anything at all except clean the house. Time spent cleaning feels like time wasted that could be used doing something fun. When cleaning is viewed as a chore instead of as an aspect of family life, the person stuck with cleaning feels imprisoned. Spend some time deciding what you hate about cleaning and then use these ten tips to embrace housecleaning as something that can become a good habit. 1. Cleaning supplies Maintain a sufficient supply of quality cleaning solutions that work well and can be used consistently. Purchase sponges, cloths, brooms, dusters, and a vacuum cleaner that are sturdy and will last for years. Buying good quality supplies will eliminate one frustrating aspect of cleaning the house. 2. Storage areas Designate certain areas for items that ar... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5131087 Sat, 13 Aug 2011 22:15:09 +0100 5131087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5125987&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FkV8wUh8Hcmk%2F You’ve met them.  You probably even have a few in your family that you see at barbecues every summer.  It’s the 65 year old uncle that has the memory of an elephant and can recall small details from events in the 1950’s.  Perhaps you have a relative that can quote specific dates from their childhood, or even experiences they had overseas in another “life.”  If you are like me, you wish that you had a magic formula to improve your memory power to have the same abilities as these impressive individuals.  Well, I’m here to tell you that with the tips I’m going to give you in this article, you’ll have the information to improve your memory, and you can get started right away! Tip #1:  Reduce Stress Stress is one of the greatest enemies of the mind, and increasingly more c... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5125987 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 06:14:01 +0100 5125987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5119043&cid=t_160706_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=5119044&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F7_KyNKVn7oA%2F Conclusion So the next time you need help with something, only take advice from 1 person. Don’t complicate this stuff. Getting a second opinion is fine, just don’t let it conflict with your goals.   ———————————————– Keith Lai is the author of the fitness blog FitMole.com where he talks about his simple and flexible approach to all things fitness. He also has a big mole on his face. You can keep up with him on Twitter and Facebook here and here. Art Credit: Roy Lichtenstein Don’t forget to follow PickTheBrain on Twitter! : Finding Bliss: How to Reverse Engineer Happiness The 6 Components of a Happy Life     (Source: PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improve... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5119044 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 06:14:57 +0100 5119044 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107971&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FpygUKkLaBSk%2F With economic and personal financial worries becoming part of many individuals’ daily lives, dealing with a major life transition can become overwhelming. Whether you have prepared for it, like getting married or having children, or it came unexpectedly, like a sudden illness, job loss or family member death, it is important to prepare emotionally and mentally in advance when possible. For some, the stress from these changes can be crippling and lead to a downward spiral of negativity that can impact professional and personal lives over time. The first step to avoid the common pitfalls is to be aware of life’s five major transitions, which are: Marriage/Having children Changes in career (loss of job, retirement, etc.) Mid-life crisis Divorce or family death Personal health issues Alm... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107971 Tue, 09 Aug 2011 05:49:29 +0100 5107971 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107972&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FfdZ6KzcUKNQ%2F When I consider the word wealthy I want to go far beyond the limited definition that relates purely to accumulation and comfort. Wealth to me has a far much broader meaning that also includes the richness of friends, family, as well as opportunities. So with that understanding let’s explore 21 of the finest attributes of the wealthy. 1. They Love What They Do To be able to wake up each morning with a skip in your step. With a mind bursting with new and fresh ideas and clear plans, laid out the day before for the day ahead, is a joy. I have made it my personal pursuit throughout the years to align my work with my passion. Every day I breathe I now do what I love to do, and it has made the journey extremely worthwhile. 2. They Perform With A Touch Of Class If you’re going to do a job the... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107972 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 08:14:07 +0100 5107972 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5103532&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FWhjmlRkipQc%2F Last week I asked the Miracle Question from Solution-Focused Therapy. The Miracle Question is simply, “If while you slept a miracle occurred tonight that solved all of your problems, how would you know when you woke up in the morning that a miracle occurred? What would be different?” The first step, of course, is answering the question, but if you just stopped there you might be left feeling a bit frustrated. There are generally two reactions to the Miracle Question. Some people are already living their “miracle life,” and by answering the question, they simply reinforce how happy and content they are. Good for them, but what about everyone else? What if your current reality is completely different from your miracle life? What if by answering the Miracle Question yo... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5103532 Sat, 06 Aug 2011 08:16:26 +0100 5103532 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5097188&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F70Cr_HG6atc%2F Have you ever felt totally filled with enthusiasm, fired up for achieving something new? Chances are, you felt that way at the start of a big project. Perhaps you were determined that you’d finally lose weight, or that this year, you’d actually start that small business you’d been dreaming about. Motivation can give you a ton of energy when you’re embarking on something new. The problem is, motivation doesn’t always last. After a few weeks of sticking to your diet, or slogging away every evening at your business, it’s easy to start feeling discouraged. Don’t Give Up You’ve already achieved a lot – even if you can’t see that yet. Try asking yourself these three questions. If possible, write down your answers – it’s much more powerful than just thinking about them. #1... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5097188 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 06:06:03 +0100 5097188 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5097189&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FxUpdGis69Rg%2F How much of your life has evaporated forever due to unnecessary fear? Probably more than you realize. While surrendering to your fear may provide temporary relief, it can also lead to feelings of helplessness, hopeless, anguish and regret, looping together in a viciously twisted circle that can keep you imprisoned from doing your best. Fear harbors a painful gaze, and staring it down can hurt. But only momentarily. And the benefit left behind might last you the rest of your life. Think of the confident people you know – the ones who know what they want, then aim for it without apology. They’re no different from you. They feel fear, insecurity, and the wretches of needless worry. Difference is, they’ve found a way to use their fear as fuel and ignite their fire for life, rather th... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5097189 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 06:01:44 +0100 5097189 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5097190&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FpVZoFXd9nlE%2F I recently finished reading a very interesting book called Improv Wisdom: Don’t Prepare, Just Show Up, by Patricia Ryan Madson. This book is an invitation to be natural, spontaneous and experience the gift of every moment. In fact, improvisation is the best strategy to use after finding your purpose in life. Almost all my life purpose coaching clients jump into goal setting and planning after they find their passion and purpose in life. They believe that this is the best logical step to follow. But they get surprised when they realize that I don’t recommend, and am totally against planning at this stage. Don’t Plan NOW When you find your passion and purpose, you experience one of the biggest transformational points in your life. You enter a new ground that you still don’t k... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5097190 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 06:25:24 +0100 5097190 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5086590&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FJOAObf3pdgE%2F The world lost a great person when Betty Ford passed away three weeks ago at the age of 93. Betty Ford was a courageous person who set a remarkably potent precedent for us all, especially when it comes to living a life without fear while keeping true to your core values. The Truth is Powerful and Liberating It’s easy to forget it in our current culture where we exchange minutia at the speed of a click, but once upon a yesteryear cancer was a topic approached only indirectly and not very often. Breast cancer was barely discussed at all. But Betty Ford faced cancer head on and chin up, staring right into cancer’s two fish eyes full of hate. She refused to bury the truth of her condition and was fiercly outspoken about both her masectomy and the disease itself. And Betty’s bravery bent... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5086590 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 06:02:44 +0100 5086590 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5086591&cid=t_160706_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=5078077&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F5-qFJHxzqCQ%2F This article is for them. If you are one of them, then this article is for you.   Because I truly want to you help you and make you life more enjoyable and stress-free. I want to elevate you to a higher level and equip you with tools and action points to handle problems (wait for my definition of a problem). Be with me for the rest of this article. Difference between a problem and an activity When you face an unexpected situation or unplanned task, instead of embracing stress and start getting panic attacks, stop here for a moment. Is this really a problem? Or it could be an additional activity you need to perform. Then just do it. Don’t think too much that why this is happening for you. If you don’t know what is that additional action you need to take, then just ask others and se... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5078077 Sat, 30 Jul 2011 05:23:52 +0100 5078077 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5078078&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FdgC389KX3tw%2F Have you even wondered why you just simply can’t lose weight no matter how hard you try? Or, maybe, why you feel so cranky and unproductive throughout the day? These could all be symptoms of a lack of sleep. We sleep for a reason, not because we can but because we must. Our bodies were designed to work hard all day and then recoup and recharge overnight while we sleep. In this new age, everybody is always on the go, trying to catch up with a fast-paced society that is solely interested in profit-making. All of us want to have major success and to be at the top of our game but, I’m sure, not at the cost of our health. The Benefits of Sleep: Doctors all over, including those at Harvard and NYU’s School of Medicine, have found that sleep is good for many reasons, including: ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5078078 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 06:06:56 +0100 5078078 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5078079&cid=t_160706_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_160706_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=5069854&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FoK94dXpG4Ys%2F Everyone is constantly telling you what to do, from your parents to your friends to the media. Unfortunately hardly anyone tells you that you should be living a healthy life. Don’t be surprised when too much stress, junk food and little exercise take their toll on your body. Keep the following quote in mind the next time you catch yourself indulging in unhealthy habits. “Those who think they have no time for healthy eating will sooner or later have to find time for illness.” – Edward Stanley That being said…here are 10 simple, effective ways that you can apply right now to live a much healthier life: 1- Stop Drinking Alcohol Alcohol in general is one of the worst things for your body. It damages your organs, drains your energy and contributes to your increase... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069854 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 07:00:29 +0100 5069854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062529&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FRqRSoXEWdpM%2F This study had three other important findings about the pursuit of happiness. Firstly, if you pursue a life goal to do with autonomy, competence or relatedness and fail, it’s likely to bring you down more than failing at a life-circumstances goal. Presumably this is because it means more. You’ve got more to gain, but you also have more to lose. So make sure you pick a realistic goal. Secondly, to continue at a higher level of happiness, you need to continue to work at success in those life-need-related goals. It’s the flow of new challenges, successfully met, that seems to be producing the happiness. So pick a goal that allows you to continue to challenge yourself. Finally, people who went in believing more strongly that they could increase their happiness (and that this ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062529 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 06:36:53 +0100 5062529 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5057948&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FbqtKSzmhnHY%2F Maybe you’ve experienced this, too. When you made a commitment to try to live your best life, to start a side-business in the other 8 hours, to lose weight, or to go back to school, weren’t you flooded with acceptance, enthusiasm, and unconditional support from your friends, colleagues, and family? No? I didn’t think so. All too often, if you try to better yourself, you will likely face negativity and pessimism from those who are closest to you. Why would those who care about you the most also be the most critical? There are only two reasons. They either don’t want to see you fail or they don’t want to see you succeed. It’s that simple. They’re either trying to “protect” you from defeat, or they’re worried that you might succeed.... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5057948 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 06:03:56 +0100 5057948 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5057949&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FClCpUncmHhg%2F The reality of today’s work environment in not only North America but in many places around the world is that diversity is here to stay. As a result of immigration over the years, we are finding many of our communities more and more diverse each year, which of course is directly related to local businesses. Whether it’s inside offices, factories or on the outside with retail or corporate customers, you will likely encounter more people from different cultures than ever before. Arming yourself with some skills in the form of diversity exposure and education will definitely help you function better in today’s working world. In fact, here are two major benefits you can realize as a result. Diversity Education Includes People Skills Development It is generally accepted in man... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5057949 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 06:48:20 +0100 5057949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051328&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FsYHByKGxr88%2F The brain determines consciousness, and a long list of attributes which affect one’s quality of life. Without exception, everything starts with the brain; it is central for everything that we do. Productivity; starts with the mind, the brain must be nurtured with, stimulation, positive affirmations and active challenges. The Human Brain – A Remarkable Organic Computer Volumes of data exist around the subject physical fitness and well-being. Fitness is conducive with mental ability and brain efficiency; both are relative to productivity. The brain is a complex organic muscle which needs constant stimulation to preserve the minds peak performance. Knowledge about the mysteries of the human brain continues to grow, it is immensely complex and still largely not understood, it is the most c... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051328 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 06:04:28 +0100 5051328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051329&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FHEzgQweCFQY%2F “Everything in moderation,” my grandmother tells me. It seems as if the generation that went through the Depression and their offspring have held that belief as a method to happy living, or at least contentment. I have often contemplated that attitude, and while I can begin to feel somewhat comfortable with it to an extent, and understand it’s precipice, I’ve always felt it lacking. The problem with living moderately is that eventually life becomes mediocre. The body-brain machine is an amazing vehicle for our spirits. It is built to withstand tremendous pressures and excitement and change, countering them with chemicals and ideas that give us the strength to overcome. As importantly, the human machine produces other drugs and thoughts that bring us back to equilibrium, able to mai... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051329 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 06:05:07 +0100 5051329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051330&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F-MObJO8jqWA%2F Have you ever taken something on because you felt like you should – only to regret it? Most of us have way too many commitments, and you’re probably no exception. Whether it’s chairing a weekly meeting, making cakes for the kids’ bake sale at school, helping a friend clear their garage, designing a website (gratis) for your sister … it all adds up. If you find it really tough to say “no” when you’re asked to take on something new, then I totally sympathize. I find it hard too – but I’ve learnt a few ways to make saying “no” a bit easier (even when someone persistent it asking!) Step #1: Be Totally Clear Make sure you actually say “no” and that the person hears it. Silence can be interpreted as consent, whether that’s verbal silence or virtual silence in re... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051330 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 06:17:53 +0100 5051330 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051331&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FLbndGxQxOFM%2F ‘Think, believe, dream and dare.’ Walt Disney There is an attitude that sets apart the mediocre from the majestic. It is called the success attitude. Did you know that when Walt headed west to pursue his dream, that he sold his possessions – even his camera, to purchase a First Class train ticket, because he wanted to arrive first class? Now that is success attitude exemplified.   Success attitudes don’t arrive once you’ve achieved success. Success attitudes must be present in the midst of your failure or your disaster. These are the attitudes that will sustain you, and equip you to handle success when it suddenly appears, seemingly out of nowhere, for all to see. So let’s have a closer look at the 4 success attitudes. 1. Think To think is to drink from the very depths of ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051331 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 05:40:58 +0100 5051331 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051332&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F8uUSXeTYdpg%2F Each of us begins in total dependence: the womb. From the moment of ‘delivery’ into the awesome beauty and terror of the world we struggle to come to grips with separateness and the emotions that go with it. In this piece I raise questions and discuss what is not a frivolous question. I do this to help you assess where you are in your own emotional life journey. Those of you who have read my book The Three Word Truth about Love and Being Well might recognize that I have addressed parts of this topic under the headings: Relationship as Love Essence and Sexuality as Love Essence. Here, I look at these areas from the vertex of weaning. What follows can first be summarized in the old psychiatric saw: “Every patient is in therapy for one reason: to learn to separate from mother” (here m... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051332 Mon, 18 Jul 2011 05:04:32 +0100 5051332 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5036622&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FzbD5awJHLE0%2F If you’re wondering how you are supposed to save for a distant retirement when you’re struggling to pay off debt and make ends meet right now, you’re not alone. I think financial planning has failed a lot of people. The promise that if you work hard, save 10% of your income, invest in your 401(k), have a diversified investment allocation, and have an emergency fund everything will be fine has left a lot of people frustrated, discouraged, and even a little angry. Early on in my career I did a financial plan for a client. I told him that all he had to do was to cut his cable bill, stop going on vacations, eliminate eating out, and bring a sack lunch to work every day, and that he may have enough to retire in 40 years. I said this with a straight face. He looked at me like I... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5036622 Sun, 17 Jul 2011 07:02:04 +0100 5036622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5036623&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F3eA6zb1NEMU%2F How do you deal with negative thoughts and limiting beliefs? Are you aware of your self-talk and thinking patterns? Many people suffer from an ANT infestation, which stands for Automatic Negative Thoughts. Our self-talk is often automatic and can be difficult to notice. We go through life making decisions and behaving based on these automatic thoughts, and instead of controlling what we think about, our thoughts control us. The thoughts than run our life are often self-defeating, irrational, and simply not true. Negative self-talk leads us to believe we must be perfect, that we’re helpless, or that we’re a victim. If we’re not careful negative self-talk will lead to anxiety, worry, and depression. You can learn to identify your ANTs and begin to separate and rationalize your negative... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5036623 Sat, 16 Jul 2011 06:14:44 +0100 5036623 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5029313&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FgaJLKRv7D9Q%2F I’d bet that, as a kid, you heard the phrase “Hard work never killed anyone.” I can see why parents and teachers say it. After all, kids are prone to whining – about homework, chores, or anything that’s not exactly a lot of fun. As adults, we’re sometimes averse to hard work too. Maybe we procrastinate, or we slack off. Often, though, we work too hard. We put in long hours to impress our bosses, or simply to make a bit more money. The thing is, Mom wasn’t telling the truth. Hard work can kill. Think about: Stress-related illnesses, like migraines, high blood pressure and even heart attacks Poor lifestyle choices caused by busyness (eating on the run, not exercising) that lead to long-term consequences like weight gain, diabetes, even strokes In some working environments, an... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5029313 Fri, 15 Jul 2011 05:42:41 +0100 5029313 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5029314&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fg3VB_LkUyH0%2F It’s a fact that when we are born we have become yet another member of the human race. But at the same time we have entered a long distance event, not a 100-meter sprint, also called the human race Our competitors? Ourselves – and our last performance. So let’s delve a little deeper into how you can position yourself, all your life, to win your human race. 1. Know You There are so many human beings living on planet earth who are trying either to live their lives like someone else or trying to fill a role that has been ‘expected of them’ by others. This is why it is imperative that you make a study of you. Ask yourself these questions: Who am I? What are my gifts and natural talents? What do I love doing? Wherein lies my passion? What was I born for? Whom can I effectively se... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5029314 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 05:38:18 +0100 5029314 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5029315&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F9dFxEIRj2BA%2F Unlocking the riddle of what makes humans happy is the subject of much research, aimed perhaps at finding a formula or creating a map to help us in this endless and universal quest. The following are 10 recent studies that examine the factors at play in human happiness. 1. Disproving the myth of the grumpy old man… Stanford research conducted over a period of a dozen years suggests that age brings increased happiness, balance, and even ability to get along with others – contradicting the stereotype of the grumpy old man. That comes as good news to a society that is, itself, growing older; baby boomers can look forward to leaving behind the frustrations and let-downs of youth, and gain an appreciation for each moment as the time to enjoy them dwindles. 2. Keeping up with the Joneses... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5029315 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 06:45:17 +0100 5029315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050924&cid=t_160706_123_f&fid=39036&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpediatricinc.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F07%2F12%2Fdo-you-need-to-hire-pediatrics-practice-management-consultant%2F Written By Chip Hart I will never forget the scene. I was the lonely consultant in the dark and shag-carpeted basement “conference room” of a large pediatric practice and was giving them a stern lecture about their pricing. The practice hadn’t updated its prices in years and was undoubtedly losing money. Lots of it. After my explanation of RVUs and why 105% of Medicare wouldn’t cut it, the senior partner – well, the loudest one, anyway – looked me in the eye and said, “OK, that sounds smart, let’s just raise our prices.” It was the response I was hoping to get. The youngest and newest partner jumped in quickly, “What?! How can you listen to this guy?” Uh oh, I thought. His voice cracked, “…I’ve been telling you this same information for almos... Pediatric Inc blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050924 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:00:45 +0100 5050924 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028713&cid=t_160706_123_f&fid=39036&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpediatricinc.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F07%2F12%2Fdo-you-need-to-hire-pediatrics-practice-management-consultant%2F Written By Chip Hart I will never forget the scene. I was the lonely consultant in the dark and shag-carpeted basement “conference room” of a large pediatric practice and was giving them a stern lecture about their pricing. The practice hadn’t updated its prices in years and was undoubtedly losing money. Lots of it. After my explanation of RVUs and why 105% of Medicare wouldn’t cut it, the senior partner – well, the loudest one, anyway – looked me in the eye and said, “OK, that sounds smart, let’s just raise our prices.” It was the response I was hoping to get. The youngest and newest partner jumped in quickly, “What?! How can you listen to this guy?” Uh oh, I thought. His voice cracked, “…I’ve been telling you this same information for almos... Pediatric Inc blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028713 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:00:45 +0100 5028713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5029316&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F1WHqFJf0rLM%2F One of the most common techniques used for building self esteem is the use of affirmations. Affirmations are things you tell yourself on a regular basis to “affirm” your personal strength, beauty and value. Affirmations are great, but unless there is a real belief in what the words represent, they will do nothing for your true self esteem. To get at your true self esteem, you must dig a bit deeper; and for this purpose I recommend writing about your life. The Brain Dump and Building Self Esteem Ever since I started “brain dumping”, I became a big believer in its power. A brain dump is simply a process used to get all of your thoughts out of your head. The goal is to bring out all of your conscious and subconscious worries, fears, and doubts so that they do not eat a... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5029316 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 07:11:34 +0100 5029316 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5029317&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FqNQUilKrzK4%2F One way most of us become aware of behaviors we don’t want for ourselves is by recognizing them in others. It’s a natural thing to do and we can learn a lot from the process. There comes a point, however, where we have to realize that it’s really just a way to see what we need to about ourselves. Yes, if you find yourself criticizing, blaming and looking for how others are doing you wrong, you can rest assured—it’s about you. It may be reflecting something you feel is true about yourself but can’t yet face, it could be a habit or some other issue. Whatever the case, consider it a flashing neon sign that’s signaling you to shift your focus to the person who really needs your wise and helpful attention—you. I once knew a woman who seemed to be really h... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5029317 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 06:14:30 +0100 5029317 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5029318&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FOwBqpr-M1bk%2F When we look at world news on CNN, BBC or even through your own local news broadcast, we are often shown video footage of terrible events such as disasters, war zones, protests and riots. Such world events are often so negative that we just want to turn the TV off. But these are the same events that people at the office or coffee shop end up talking about all the time. It turns out that despite the occurrence of these horrible events, there are important lessons we can all learn from for ourselves. All we have to do is look at how some of the affected people in these events reacted and coped. The Vancouver Riots For example, the Vancouver riots after the Stanley Cup hockey final resulted in hooligans turning over cars and setting them on fire. Downtown businesses had their windows smashed... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5029318 Sat, 09 Jul 2011 07:44:28 +0100 5029318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008725&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F0li5fdjlUk4%2F With modern technology evolving, an increasing number of jobs involve sitting at a computer for at least 8 hours a day. You may think this makes for an easy life but sitting at a computer for prolonged periods of time can actually cause you to suffer from pains and strains; known as Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI’s). Along with RSIs; back and neck pain, poor circulation and insomnia can be caused by office jobs. Yoga is becoming an increasingly popular exercise as it’s gentle, and work wonders for office workers who are prone to stress, poor circulation, RSIs and low fitness levels. Another benefit of yoga is that it can easily fit into the busiest of schedules. Just 20 minutes of yoga a day can uplift your mood and reinvigorate your body. The following are common complaints many peop... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008725 Fri, 08 Jul 2011 05:32:02 +0100 5008725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008726&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FsrvorhNwPLk%2F Do you have a friend or colleague who complains constantly? If you do, you’ll know how you feel after a conversation with them: tired, drained, feeling a bit fed up about your own life. Do you know anyone who’s always cheerful and positive? If you talk to them, you’ll feel quite differently afterwards: enthused, re-energized, happy. I’m guessing you can see why positive thinking matters. By being grateful for the good things in life – instead of moaning about the bad ones – you’ll find that your mood is better, and that almost miraculously, more good stuff starts happening to you. It’s easy, of course, for me to tell you to “look on the bright side!” – but I know that’s easier said than done. So here are five ways to be more positive about life, every single day: #1... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008726 Thu, 07 Jul 2011 07:06:08 +0100 5008726 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008727&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fza2WQt6ks-0%2F Conclusion I hope that I have opened some of your eyes to the idea of thinking positively rational about yourself and your life.  If you will begin to think more rationally and positively about yourself, your life will dramatically change.  You will feel happier, healthier, have more friendships, do better at work and do amazing things you may not have thought possible.   Joshua Shelton is a freelance blogger and founder of the site Break Through Self Image. : Finding Bliss: How to Reverse Engineer Happiness The 6 Components of a Happy Life   (Source: PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement) PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008727 Wed, 06 Jul 2011 06:30:20 +0100 5008727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008728&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FFmSY0B6uoTk%2F Other people want you to change your opinion to suit them but they won’t change to suit you. They just go on living their lives. How does that work? – Quote by My wife, 2010 John Donne said “the death of any man diminishes me” but I think a worse fate than being dead is dying inside – being diminished – while you live. That is what happens when you poison your growth through letting others diminish, marginalize and demoralize you from reaching your potential. Let me tell you, living in fear of other peoples’ opinions sucks. I know. I’ve done it. Yes, – you live, but you live a sickly fearful existence stunted like a tree permanently in the shadow of other peoples’ opinions. As a result, both the branches you grow and the fruit you bear wi... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008728 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 06:02:48 +0100 5008728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4993024&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FZyqAB555g4c%2F Just like Tom Hanks’ character in the new movie, Larry Crowne, thousands of middle-age Americans each year reinvent themselves by going back to college.  They do it for multiple reasons:  they lost their job, got looked over for a promotion, or just want to start over. But whatever the reason, getting the best possible education has never been more important than it is right now.  That’s because in today’s world, a good job requires a good education.   In a single generation, the United States has fallen from first place to 12th in global graduation rates for young adults, and the country needs to produce 8 million more college graduates over the next decade in order to compete globally and keep up with other countries that are developing high-tech, high-skill jobs. The unemp... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4993024 Sat, 02 Jul 2011 06:29:19 +0100 4993024 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4993025&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FUzbDmu94AUA%2F In conclusion, eating frequent meals is not the only solution to fat loss. This scientific finding is very important for people who simply can’t consume 6 meals every day, because of their job or their lifestyle in general.   Kate Cotros writes for the Diet Myths And Facts, a blog focused on revealing the truth about various diet and nutrition myths. She seeks to help others lose weight and regain their lost self-esteem.   Related Posts: 3 Proven Ways To Once & For All Defeat Procrastination The 4 Positive Price Points of Leadership   (Source: PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement) PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4993025 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 06:32:57 +0100 4993025 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4984731&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FVWUYzDz3gtM%2F I have spent many years working on my health and my happiness. I learned early on how my thoughts and my mind can affect every experience I have. Therefore I began researching and learning about the health of my mind and how I could use my mind to benefit my life and my overall happiness. I figured there are enough obstacles to deal with out there in the big world and I didn’t want to be sabotaging myself from within. There are several different factors that affect health and happiness including nutrition, lifestyle, exercise, stress, family and career. However the one big factor that in my experience often gets overlooked is the health of the mind. It seemed to me that in order to create and maintain a healthy and happy life the work must begin with the mind. Your thoughts are extremely... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4984731 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 04:57:09 +0100 4984731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4984732&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FmorY4vxfU9Y%2F Since you’re reading Pick the Brain, I expect that you’ll agree with me when I say that productivity is a good thing. Being productive generally means: You’re living up to your full potential (instead of daydreaming about what might be … and never actually doing it) You’re being proactive rather than reactive, taking control of your own life You feel good about yourself and your life: each day, you have a sense of accomplishment You’ve got clear goals, and you’re on track to reach them Pretty great, huh? It sounds like a recipe for a happy life. Except… …can you end up being too productive? The Darker Side of Productivity Like I say, I’m all for productivity. I like to do useful, fulfilling work, and I get bored easily if I’m wasting time or procrastinat... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4984732 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 07:30:05 +0100 4984732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4975833&cid=t_160706_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FFJsb-MgrxMU%2F By Walter OlsonLast December the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) adopted new standards for crib design, a step mandated by the famously overreaching Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). The commission decided to go well beyond a set of voluntary design standards that had been widely adopted the year before; it also chose to make the new rules retroactive, rendering unlawful the sale of many existing cribs whose overall safety record is otherwise acceptable—no one would think of subjecting them to a recall, for instance. Commissioner Nancy Nord: The day care industry did protest that the rule, as proposed, would result in approximately a $1/2 billion hit to a group that could not immediately absorb costs of such magnitude, especially on the heels of having ju... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4975833 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:26:01 +0100 4975833 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4976252&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F2LP3nebrbl8%2F Is our intelligence pretty much fixed at birth? Do star footballers and musicians have some innate talent that the rest of us lack? Is your potential determined by your genes? No, no and no. The idea of a growth mindset is catching on, with books like Carol Dweck’s Mindset: The New Psychology of Success and Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers: The Story of Success. We’re not limited by what we can do … but by what we think we can do. If you have a fixed mindset, you believe that your abilities are pretty much set in stone. Perhaps you’re great with words, but you struggle with numbers. You can paint, but you can’t carry a tune. You can never get your head round new technology, though you’re great at reading maps. If you have a growth mindset, you believe t... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4976252 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 06:10:21 +0100 4976252 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4976253&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FzS_mCIzMTNg%2F Aristotle was a Greek philosopher, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology. He is one of the most important founding figures in Western philosophy. Aristotle’s writings were the first to create a comprehensive system of Western philosophy, encompassing morality and aesthetics, logic and science, politics and metaphysics. Fifteen lessons from Aristotle: 1. The wise man does not expose himself needlessly to danger, since there are few things for which he cares sufficiently; but he is willing, in great crises, to give even his life – knowing that under certain conditions it is not worthwhile to liv... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4976253 Mon, 27 Jun 2011 05:52:14 +0100 4976253 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968948&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F0Ku7GXY3OoE%2F Conclusion Our society is an interdependent one; you cannot go around trying to beat everyone else. Instead bond with others, get their help and create something wonderful. As long as you seek Win/Win solutions, listen to others, respect them and aren’t afraid to admit when you don’t have the answers, many doors will be opened for you and many opportunities will come your way. Learn more Tips on Time Management and about The Success Principles from Daniel M. Wood at his blog lookingtobusiness.com join his free email course and start making Personal Developments and moving towards your success today. (Source: PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement) PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968948 Sat, 25 Jun 2011 18:24:07 +0100 4968948 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968949&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FL_xmtjAunC8%2F I had a conversation with one of my daughters yesterday. She had recently moved from a conventional office setting to a home office environment and was feeling somewhat guilty for waiting to simply get up and leave that environment to at times do nothing. Her self worth is currently inextricably attached to the amount of work she perceives that she needs to do on a daily basis. At times we can be our worst taskmasters. As her father and business coach I shared the following – ‘Man or woman looks out of window thinking great thought. That is great work. That is how great businesses, books, and blogs are first germinated – in the uncluttered mind.’ So allow me to share 5 truths why you should at times do absolutely nothing. 1. Be Uncluttered We live in a world that rushes by at a fra... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968949 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 05:35:47 +0100 4968949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4960358&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FYS6DNChNFLI%2F Even as we approach the vibrant summer months, and the days grow long and bright here in California, I’ve been thinking about winter. I grew up in France which has long, gray, snowy months sometimes starting as early as October. Now that I live in Los Angeles and bask in the sunshine nearly every day, I sometimes get pangs of nostalgia for those cold, meditative days of being snuggled up inside and watching the bare tree branches wave against the sky. I snap out of those pretty quickly and run outside and smell flowers or chase butterflies. Even if it’s January. Yes, the weather here is dreamalicious. But I think there is something to seasons. They’re a perfect metaphor for human life- not least of which is our ambitions. Some of the self-help world is pushing to “achieve”, climb... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4960358 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 06:26:04 +0100 4960358 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4960359&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FwO6TupM68Dc%2F Conclusion Does being good mean that you can avoid all forms of sales and marketing and just sit back and let success come to you? No, of course not. You still have to get your name out there. But sales and marketing are easy things to measure and assess. It’s a lot harder to take an honest assessment of yourself and then implement a plan to get amazingly good. It’s also well worth it. In the months after adopting Steve Martin’s mentality, I saw my referrals and follow-up-business significantly increase. It’s not an easy or short journey. It takes hard work and time. When you start to looking for shortcuts or thinking about giving up, remember another great Steve Martin quote: “Thankfully, persistence is a great substitute for talent.” Stay persistent, keep working at getting b... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4960359 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 06:07:42 +0100 4960359 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952844&cid=t_160706_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthecommunications.files.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fsatisifaction1.jpg While by no means a representative sample of how we think about physicians, there is a clear pattern to the comments.  A lot of people feel disrespected by their doctors…and they are pretty angry. Here’s what patients (including a lot of former patients) had to say.  I attempted to summarize the comments by category and included the top five categories of comments below. #1 – “Being on time is a two way street.” – patients are expected to be on time for their appointments – why aren’t physicians expected to be on time.   Doctors think and act as if their time is more valuable than the patient’s time. #2 – “Listen to what I have to say.” “Doctors should realize that many patients have more life experience and have done more research about a cond... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952844 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:00:04 +0100 4952844 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953430&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FqeLgtcsZWqk%2F Have you ever noticed the ripple expansion across water when you drop an object into it? This phenomenon can teach you a great lesson, if you feel that there is no progress in your personal and professional life. The lesson simply is: the best way to conquer stagnation is to disturb it. Any tiny action you take will lead to incremental outward changes. I always advise my life purpose coaching clients that once they find their passion and purpose in life, they should act fast by taking the easiest smallest action possible in the direction of their purpose. This small action will generate new possibilities and cause a ripple effect that will change the ground and build your momentum. So, here’re three things you can do now to initiate a ripple effect in your life: 1. Read a new book Acquir... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953430 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 05:29:00 +0100 4953430 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952827&cid=t_160706_87_f&fid=38113&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.consumerreports.org%2Fhome%2F2011%2F06%2Ffederal-agencies-team-up-to-warn-of-radon-dangers.html Nine federal agencies have joined forces to develop a Federal Radon Action Plan that will target the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. A colorless, odorless gas, radon causes an estimated 21,000 cancer deaths each year. While the announcement was short on details, two goals are to raise awareness of radon dangers and to create jobs for radon testing and mitigation. “This Action Plan represents an historic interagency cooperation with the potential to reduce exposure to radon, including for people and families that do not have the resources to make the simple fixes necessary to protect their loved ones,” the Environmental Protection Agency announced on its website. One in 15 homes has elevated radon levels, according to the EPA. The agency recommends running a... Consumer Reports Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952827 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:33:00 +0100 4952827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953431&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FR21DbF4zpk4%2F ‘There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.’ ~Ella Wheeler Wilcox You want to lose weight, but you keep eating poorly. You know you need to exercise, but you just can’t seem to get moving. You’d like to start that project, but maybe you’ll do it tomorrow when you aren’t so tired. Our dreams and good intentions are powerful, real, and hold the promise of a happier life, a better you, a sense of pride and accomplishment. But when the rubber meets the road, when it’s time to take action, it feels like you are wading waist-high in water with weights tied to your feet. Your heart is willing, but your mind and body resist. The mental difficulty of even the smallest actions can ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953431 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 05:46:46 +0100 4953431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4945311&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FzkCYW1xV5Qs%2F Have you ever indulged?  In fact, what does it even mean to indulge? Most of our waking lives are consumed by what has to be done in order to survive.  We shower to be clean, eat either to live or just to consume, buy in order to feel better or feel powerful, watch TV for distraction or boredom.  Our lives and activities become forms of distractions or have to’s and we begin to forget how wonderful simplicity can feel. So, have you ever indulged? When you hear this, I’m sure you think of things like eating an entire box of chocolates or buying yourself a 58” television or some kind of activity where you completely spoil yourself with a need to feel like you are treating yourself to something your normally would not do.  I suppose most people think of this when they think of indul... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4945311 Sat, 18 Jun 2011 07:38:25 +0100 4945311 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4945312&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FpCg7uKfYkzI%2F I’ve been on a bit of a diet craze the last 4 months. To be honest. Dieting is lame! I don’t care who you are and where you’re from. You can’t honestly tell me that dieting is the best thing ever. We diet not because we wholeheartedly want to. It’s because we either want something or it’s a necessity. The perfect scenario would be if it was possible to lose weight and be healthy while eating loads of junk food. Wouldn’t that be sweet. Sadly that is just not the reality we live in. So we diet our way to a leaner body and work our asses off in the gym. Well that’s what I do… sort of. It’s been working though. I feel great and I can see signs of a six-pack forming on my abdomen area, so what I’m doing must be working. You must ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4945312 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 05:52:04 +0100 4945312 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4945313&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FPQ42Xgc--qs%2F This post is for anyone who is trying to do artistic work (writing, painting, computer programming, sculpting, music composition and recording, whatever) – or trying to make money (entrepreneur, salaried, investor, whatever). People that desire to create and enterprise do a lot to build the world, but it’s often a lonely and frustrating path. And due to the nature of that, most creative and enterprising people make a key mistake. They keep trying to re-invent the wheel. Please stop doing that.   When you get into a new field, you start by getting a hang of the basics. You dabble, experiment, maybe read or research a little on the topic. This is all good. But then, a lot of artistic/enterprising people make a serious mistake – they get all their lessons on how to imp... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4945313 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 05:28:05 +0100 4945313 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4945314&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Ftfr3hvzm1kk%2F It can be hard to stay focused and productive at the best of times. But when you’re feeling low – whether that’s physically or emotionally – then it can seem almost impossible to concentrate. Maybe you have a daunting number of things to get done … but you can’t seem to summon up the energy to tackle any of them. You might end up doing something totally counter-productive: procrastinating, or tackling the easy, unimportant tasks, or even driving yourself to tears. Here’s how to keep yourself on track: #1: Make a List of Tasks This is a classic time-management technique … because it really works. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, sit down and write a clear list of tasks. What do you need to do today? What could you put off for a few days if necessary? The act of writi... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4945314 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 06:00:28 +0100 4945314 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4945315&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FvOrIjDpw9eo%2F You’ve probably heard that certain foods can help your memory improve, and will allow you to think with better clarity. “But what foods are actually considered brain foods?” you may ask. Believe it or not, there are a copious amount of foods that protect your brain, improving how good it’ll work, and can even generate new brain cells. Yes, you read it right… new brain cells! You can still generate new brain cells–even when you’re an adult. A common myth recently espoused that brain cells quit occurring once you’ve reached adulthood, but reputable and prolific new research has debunked this myth. Regardless of how old you are, you can make new brain cells. Keep in mind that all cells need nutrients to continue their growth. This means your brain needs foo... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4945315 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 05:42:20 +0100 4945315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4945316&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FdlGdJsdmsGI%2F An awful lot of time-management techniques show an obsession with efficiency. And being efficient – getting tasks done quickly – is certainly important. But efficiency for its own sake is worthless. Sure, you could spend three hours implementing a new system that lets you automatically tag every email as it comes in. But I doubt that you’re going to look back in ten years’ time and say, “Wow, my inbox was always so well organized.” If you pay too much attention to efficiency, you might actually become less effective. You’ll stop focusing on the things that really matter – the “great work” in your life, the projects that really would make a difference in ten years’ time. Here’s how efficiency is damaging: Playing the Numbers Game Efficiency tends to reduce everything... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4945316 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 06:02:05 +0100 4945316 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4921793&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FThmrp8nfrYU%2F Guess what? The use of life-enhancing devices such as cell phones and laptops has not changed the fact that you have too much to accomplish each day. And, with only twenty-four hours available, you try your best to get the most from each hour. That would be easy if you only had one hat to wear in life but you don’t. You’re a parent, partner, worker, student, and friend to many, many people. All these hats usually fit well and are ones that you wear with pride. However, there are days when the number of hats feels a little too tight to be comfortable. Days when the need for down time is overwhelming and the desire to do things that bring joy into your life grows stronger and stronger. When time to refresh and energize takes center stage, schedule a mental health weekend. Toss your hats ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4921793 Sat, 11 Jun 2011 08:24:24 +0100 4921793 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4921794&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FptmdWN0kacE%2F Not so long ago, influence was claimed as a matter of birthright. Now, even for the highborn, influence is a skill that is honed with dedicated practice, feedback and reflection. Here’s how to be more persuasive: Being right doesn’t equal winning Too often people get stuck in a trap of thinking that if I’m right I should win. You won’t. It’s a terrible flaw – and I’d advise you against it. Truths are subjective – and both parties must accept them as true or they’re just opinions. And haven’t you ever noticed how often what people think should happen is quite often what they want to happen? More than we’d like to admit, we structure our beliefs based upon emotions and desires rather than facts. Understanding that is the core of powerful persuasion. Understand why they... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4921794 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 06:23:41 +0100 4921794 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4921795&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FO3gVTdYJLEY%2F Inner Critic?  Are you there?  I can’t hear you?  Must be a bad connection…  CLICK! I never read movie reviews. Sometimes this means I make mistakes and see things like “Just Go With It”. (I know, I know.) Still, I like to make up my own mind and not have someone tell me whether or not something is worthy of my time. Also, it’s easy to avoid reading movie reviews. I just turn the page or click on another tab. But it’s not as easy to navigate away from the Inner Critic. That’s the part of ourselves that’s made up of all the negative message we got from our teachers, parents, peers and other authority figures we met growing up. The Inner Critic has a direct line into our heart because it was made by many of the people we cared about most. But the good news is, when this ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4921795 Thu, 09 Jun 2011 04:17:58 +0100 4921795 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911855&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fev1IQE__IeA%2F If one man tells you a horse, he’s insane if three men tell you you’re a horse, there’s a conspiracy If ten men tell you you’re a horse, you need to buy a saddle. - Chinese proverb   I stared in disbelief at my Regional Manager. I could no longer hear the words coming from his mouth because all my attention was turned inside in a torrent of abuse aimed at him, the company, the industry, and of course, myself. How could this be happening to me? How could I be turned down for the management development program when it had been de facto promised to me if I hit certain goals. Goals that had all been reached and most smashed. As my brain scrambled to make sense of what was happening I heard him say one final thing  before the meeting came to a close and I was suddenly out in the c... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911855 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 06:30:19 +0100 4911855 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911856&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fza8MNAQhAHM%2F The day started just like any other day. I slowly dragged my tired body out of the bed, started complaining and began the process of getting ready for work. I had about 2 full hours of sleep due to the new born baby that was sharing a room with my wife and I in our one bedroom apartment. After drinking a full pot of coffee, which burned all taste buds from my tongue, I fired up my piece of crap car and began the journey to work. I can remember it like yesterday. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining so brightly that even the rusted spots on my automobile had a marvelous glow as the rays kissed the surface. The temperature was immaculate and I was in the perfect place mentally. I was a proud papa and the sole provider for my family. If there was a spot on the top of the world I was th... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911856 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 05:25:34 +0100 4911856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902722&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FeyuOYHJo7Mk%2F Working with rock star productivity is awesome. You get stuff done like nobody else, and let’s face it, you’re the envy of colleagues and competitors alike! If you want that, but don’t feel like shelling out a thousand bucks for an expensive time management consultant, why not go the do-it-yourself way? I know you’ve got the chops for it. So, roll up your sleeves, grab yourself a beer, and get ready to start building your productivity power house. Assembly Instructions — Not! Now, I know a handyperson like you doesn’t need 100 pages of assembly instructions, so I’m just going to give you one single rule to follow: Spend 20 minutes every day thinking about how you can do things smarter. Not how you can get more work done, but how you can do things smarter. Can you make more ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902722 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 06:05:43 +0100 4902722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893967&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FWuupYAbAe_g%2F A couple of days ago I was shooting around at my neighborhood basketball court. And unfortunately, my shot was off. And when I say off, I mean way off. I felt like I couldn’t make a shot if my life depended on it. In fact, I even shouted that out loud! But that’s when I realized what I was doing wrong. Every time I missed a shot, I was reinforcing the idea that I couldn’t make one. And as a result, I kept missing over and over again. But what I was doing wrong wasn’t my only problem. I wasn’t doing enough things right either. This is kind of embarrassing to admit, but I was a much better shooter when I was a kid than I am today. Granted, I played almost every day back then. But I was only about five feet tall. And now I’m over six! So physically, there was no reason why I was b... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893967 Sat, 04 Jun 2011 05:58:00 +0100 4893967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893968&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Ft-b53zWK61I%2F I was driving yesterday, happily minding my own business and practicing my new skill of not texting while behind the wheel. (I’m doing very well, thank you for asking.) Suddenly, some light started blinking. It looked like a genie in an oil canister to me. I am a girl, so I am thinking; I need to change the oil in my car. As I was driving towards the gas station, I started thinking, hey- when does my dashboard blink to tell me I need something. Water. Sleep. Play? What are my indicators that I am running out of some essential component to thrive? Maybe, my nose does not flash when I am dehydrated. Or my ears don’t let out steam when I need more sleep. But I still need to drink and nap. So how do I hear my signals that my inner car is not functioning optimally? They may not be as clear ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893968 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 05:28:21 +0100 4893968 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893969&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FNINJaOvIXWQ%2F Conclusion It should quickly become apparent that your mind is improving, and you will feel calmer, happier, and more relaxed. It is also likely that you will experience improvements in other areas that I have not even mentioned in this article. For variety, you may soon wish to discover different methods of meditation. There is almost a limitless amount of different techniques to experiment with. With a little experience you can probably develop your own unique techniques, specifically tailored for yourself. Enjoy! Jon Rhodes is a clinical hypnotherapist, musician, author, and meditator. He is owner and operator of the Meditation Den. If you want some help meditating, then please click here for details of our collection of Meditation Mp3s. Don’t Forget to Follow PickTheBrain on Twit... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893969 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 06:27:25 +0100 4893969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893970&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F0ELAP4Sw14I%2F I work with family — husband, offspring, in-laws and their partners. A while back, I was going through some difficulties. My mother’s terminal cancer, my own health problems, and the start of a new business venture are three that spring to mind. It was a stressful period and looking back, I can see that I was in a bad mood a lot of the time. Sometimes I was snappy with my co-workers. My husband and sons didn’t take it personally. My sister-in-law, on the other hand, did. I know this, not because she confronted me, but because she’d grumbled about me to another relative who took it upon himself to admonish me. Although I hadn’t meant any harm, and the other relative had only heard one side of the story, I took his reproach to heart, albeit grudgingly. It forced me to see that I ha... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893970 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 04:10:51 +0100 4893970 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4883943&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FNWqsWJK9Ky8%2F We all strive to be more productive, to manage our time better and to get more done in less time. However, this striving to increase productivity often leads to a very stressful life, exhaustion and both mental and physical breakdowns. What can we do in order to be both productive, efficient, happy and relaxed at the same time? I believe the most important thing for someone who wants to achieve this balance is to stop chasing short term productivity and focus on long term productivity instead. It might be tough at first, but it’s really worth it in the long run. What is short term/long term productivity? Short term productivity is your ability to reach and maintain high level of productivity during a short period of time, usually days, weeks and months. You can think about it as spr... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4883943 Tue, 31 May 2011 05:35:25 +0100 4883943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4883944&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FENUJegvb93w%2F Traditionally, when we evaluate what direction to take our lives in we do a ‘values assessment’. This is a checklist of what you believe to be important to you. It might come out something like this (in a particular area): Business/Career Serving customers Creating a great product that adds value Paying for my South American holidays Contributing to the world Helping people grow and develop their thinking skills Etc Once you’ve ordered your list the standard advice is to seek a career that allows you to engage and live out your values. You can then feel that you are doing something that interests and compels you. All well and good: – if you are satisfied in determining your future based purely on what interests you in your head right now. But this appr... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4883944 Mon, 30 May 2011 06:31:53 +0100 4883944 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4876528&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FQ33t9A5G-Ug%2F “When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That is my religion.” ~ Abraham Lincoln Who doesn’t want to feel good about themselves? We all do. Though, in our own good, unique ways. I have jotted down my feel good factors and I would be happy to know if you could add your take to the list. Receiving Compliments: ‘I can live my entire life on a good compliment’.. someone must have said this keeping a person like me in mind. I love receiving compliments and that’s the reason I am quite generous in paying compliments. I remember a few things that people told me about myself, that manage to bring smile to my face even in the darkest hours. When the middle aged Air India Flight attendant complimented me on my smile it was unforgettable and when my... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4876528 Sat, 28 May 2011 05:48:00 +0100 4876528 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872514&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FTzYx1dR7zho%2F I can’t help you move this weekend- I’m writing a book. (548 words) There’s a novel brewing inside you that you are dying to get on paper, but where’s the time?  Maybe you’ve been waiting to take that cooking class because, let’s face it, you’ve just about exhausted every way of doctoring up mac ‘n cheese.  Or maybe you just need a day of relaxation because you’ve pushed yourself to the limit but, alas, no time.  Where is your time going, anyway? Let’s see…work…eat…sleep…help John move…walk Karen’s dog…take Chris to the airport….wait!  With all this time for other people, where’s the YOU time? You’re a good friend.  You’re Mr. Reliable or Miss Always-There.  We get it. But when you’re the one who needs a favor from you, you don’t ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872514 Fri, 27 May 2011 05:18:45 +0100 4872514 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872515&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FlNcSpsq9zgE%2F Success is an interesting concept, one I have studied for many years while working with some very successful people. While watching these people I have seen that their success always followed the same, general, path. I have broken that path down into 8 simple steps that you can follow and make your success a reality. 1. Goal Setting If you have read my blog or the articles I have written here on pick the brain you can see that I discuss goal setting a lot. It is because I don’t think you can succeed if you haven’t decided what you consider success, first. You need to have a target to aim for, you need to know why you are working. 2. Planning Without a roadmap success is impossible. Many studies have been made to why some entrepreneurs succeed while others don’t. In most cases, it all... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872515 Thu, 26 May 2011 06:35:40 +0100 4872515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862970&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FBTxCJAHmuLI%2F You’ve got your vision board on the wall. You spend five minutes every morning daydreaming about that huge house you want, that massive paycheck, that flashy car. Unfortunately, you don’t seem to be getting any closer. So you resolve to visualize more. You keep imagining that perfect future. It’s what you’re supposed to do, right? It’s what all the self-development gurus tell you? The problem is … this kind of visualization doesn’t work. Even worse, it can actually work against you. Stop Visualizing an Outcome… A study carried out in 1999 looked at a group of freshmen who used visualization in an attempt to do better in their exams. (You can find the study’s abstract here.) The freshmen who pictured themselves getting great grades … didn’t. Their exam perf... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862970 Wed, 25 May 2011 07:03:17 +0100 4862970 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862971&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FkjmxVd82bLM%2F The power of words never fails to inspire. Below are 15 of the best motivational quotes and a much needed early week pick-me-up.  I hope you enjoy: A #2 pencil and a dream can take you anywhere. Joyce A. Myers It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. Aristotle Onassis Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant. Robert Louis Stevenson   The best way out is always through. Robert Frost The questions you ask determine the quality of your life. Mr. Self Development   Believe you can and you’re halfway there. Theodore Roosevelt   Change your thoughts and you change your world. Norman Vincent Peale   It is by acts and not by ideas that people live. Harry Emerson Fosdick   Happiness is not something y... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862971 Tue, 24 May 2011 05:52:28 +0100 4862971 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4853259&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FNIeIykc1oBE%2F Do you remember those magical times in your childhood when you could lose yourself in your imagination? You could become anything and anyone, and life was full of infinite possibilities and exciting potential. Logic didn’t get in the way, blocking your sense of freedom and joy. And if life was miserable, you could escape from it all through the creative, imaginative world you made for yourself. It’s no accident that as children we practice all sorts of situations and personas, trying them on for size and preparing ourselves in a safe and harmless way for whatever life might have in store for us. And that free-thinking, creative imagination is more than just a trial run at real life. It’s an invaluable tool when it comes to the resilience and creativity needed to solve life’s proble... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4853259 Mon, 23 May 2011 04:53:48 +0100 4853259 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4853260&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FV-K22aVDygQ%2F If I handed you a 10,000-piece puzzle and asked you to put it together in two hours or less – and oh by the way – you don’t get to see the picture before hand, would you do it? Probably not before asking yourself two critical questions: Why? What’s in it for me? Maybe not even in that order, right? This is what your mind does for every hope and dream of yours in LIFE.  It’s fear based thinking is holding you as a prisoner “for your own good”. Why? It doesn’t LIKE puzzles without end games; your mind needs to see how hard the puzzle is going to be before it decides if it can obtain “success”. Your mind avoids failure at all costs. Now let’s pretend I was your boss and said you had to do the puzzle or you’d lose your job. Would you do it then? Probably. But then a... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4853260 Sun, 22 May 2011 07:35:18 +0100 4853260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4853261&cid=t_160706_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_160706_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=4848170&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FEiWfpLhbTbQ%2F In most industries and professions, there are plenty of other people who do what you do. You need social capital in order to get recognized, remembered, recommended … and hired. Social capital is generated when you invest in your relationships, by being as valuable as you possibly can be in your network. That means knowing and recommending others, and becoming engaged in your networks so that you’re seen as an invaluable resource. We all engage with people on multiple different levels, starting with making pleasant conversation and “getting to know” someone, and gradually building up to profound levels of trust. There’s substantial social capital in being regarded as an individual of great integrity – someone who’s known, liked and trusted. In short, social capital measur... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4848170 Fri, 20 May 2011 05:29:25 +0100 4848170 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4842037&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FVWEOI6ihNAA%2F The subconscious mind is a source of unbelievable power. Every time you get a flash of inspiration, the right idea coming to you at the exact right time, is because your subconscious has been working behind the scenes on your problem and when the time is right, present you with a solution. When sleeping it works best I cannot tell you how many times I have woken up in the middle of the night with a great idea. I always sleep with a notebook beside me so that I can capture these ideas and not forget them. Some of my most popular posts have been written because I dreamed it. How to make your subconscious work on the right things Focusing your mind on a goal is key. The subconscious mind works on one task, your most important task, always. It determines what you think is most important by l... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4842037 Thu, 19 May 2011 07:19:44 +0100 4842037 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4842038&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F78Marc1thBc%2F Do you want to lose a few pounds – or a few dozen? Many of us do: in fact, over 60% of Americans are overweight (and other developed nations are catching up fast). You’d think that all the diet pills, diet foods, diet books and diet plans would help. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to be doing much good. I’ve got a long history with dieting: I was overweight as a teen, and I still have to pay close attention to my weight to stop it creeping back up. (I blame a combination of genetics, a mild medical condition, and a fondness for chocolate…) Over the years, though, I’ve learnt about a few tricks that really help. If you give these a go, you’ll find that you can lose weight without having to eat a restrictive diet and without spending hours trying to resist the siren call of... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4842038 Wed, 18 May 2011 04:01:07 +0100 4842038 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4829358&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FrrmVg-4mOzk%2F Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look there. — Marcus Aurelius I remember when I was ten years old, we were asked to write an essay on ‘My best friend’. I thought for a while about all my friends that I had and tried to find out one who knew everything about me. Surprisingly, in a group of very close friends there was no one who knew everything about me. None of them knew anything about how I felt at home and how desperately I wanted to grow up and much more. And few who knew.. never understood it thoroughly. After brief rumination, I realized that I was my own Best Friend as only I knew about my life completely. Hence, I wrote about myself and got a zero as my teacher thought I wrote the essay on ‘Myself’ a... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4829358 Tue, 17 May 2011 06:48:34 +0100 4829358 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4829359&cid=t_160706_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=4829360&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FXa1FwM8gIfY%2F “Goals” are like “New Year’s resolutions”…frequently made but rarely accomplished. If you struggle to achieve your goals, my good friend Bill Bartmann, the author of “Bailout Riches” and once named by Inc. magazine as “The Billionaire Nobody Knows” gave me an awesome tip to trick your mind into accomplishing exactly what you want to, every single time. “Don’t think of your goals as goals.” Are you scratching your head right now? I know I sure was. Until I saw the white elephant sitting in the room… In our society most people describe a goal as “a lofty ambition,” something to “shoot for,” something to “strive for,” or something to “work towards”… Nothing wrong with with any of that is there? As long as you don’t care about you... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4829360 Sun, 15 May 2011 05:11:04 +0100 4829360 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4821190&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fwjw8t9yK2oU%2F There are many famous quotes out there, but there are only a few with the power to touch your heart. In this article, I’ve gathered 9 famous quotes that will not only supercharge your day and make you wise, but also inspire you to go after your wildest dreams and aspirations. The truth of the matter is that you can become and have anything you want in this world. The only person stopping you is yourself. With all that said, let’s jump right into the famous quotes, shall we? 1. ‘Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it doesn’t get you anywhere.’ – Van Wilder We all worry more than we have to. When you think back in your life to the times when you worried excessively, did your worrying actually solve anything? If you really thi... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4821190 Fri, 13 May 2011 06:31:31 +0100 4821190 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813700&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F3ZmI1YBeZeQ%2F Why are so many of us struggling with productivity? We set out positively when we start our working day and we’re determined that we’ll do a lot of things that will bring us a step closer to our goals, but when at the end of the day we look back at what we have actually accomplished, we realize that not much has been done, despite having enough time. We’re not productive because we are not AWARE of our moments of being unproductive. Our minds get distracted by a cool video on YouTube, or an interesting article we read on Yahoo News, or a phone call or one of a myriad of other things. And every time a minor distraction happens, we might even be aware for a split second that we’re not being productive, but we convince ourselves that,  ‘this won’t take lon... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813700 Thu, 12 May 2011 05:22:32 +0100 4813700 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813483&cid=t_160706_123_f&fid=39036&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpediatricinc.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F11%2Fwhat-can-your-medical-practice-learn-from-watching-the-show-iron-chef%2F I enjoy watching Iron Chef America. I am amazed that the Food Channel can create a show about cooking that is exciting, competitive, informative, nail biting and fun all in a single show. Theoretically, a competitive cooking show sounds boring. What is fun and exciting about that? But Iron Chef makes you root for a guy to pull out a lobster from the boiling water so he can plate it in time, while the other guy is running franticly chopping things up ’til the last minute all while the commentator gives a play, by play and insights as to the ingredients and technique of each chef. For those that haven’t seen the show, it consist of two chef (one is the iron chef and the other is the challenger) trying to make several dishes in an hour with a secret ingredient that is revealed to them... Pediatric Inc blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813483 Wed, 11 May 2011 14:00:18 +0100 4813483 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813701&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fuzt1aNXxVcE%2F If you were to look up the term “personal growth,” the words that would most likely pop up would be self-improvement, success, goal-setting, etc. But I believe that personal growth also involves deepening one’s relationship with God. In this Easter season, I’d like to offer you five books that I return to over and over because they nourish my soul. 5 Books That Nourish Your Soul:   Contemplative Prayer by Thomas Merton Merton, a Trappist monk and bestselling author who died in 1968, wrote this classic about monastic prayer. But I find its guidance and description of contemplative prayer extremely helpful for me as a layperson. Merton clearly writes from experience, and his words about union with God simply resonate with truth. I highly recommend the book for those who are inc... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813701 Wed, 11 May 2011 04:03:34 +0100 4813701 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803569&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FCf6dsZy7wZ0%2F Do you wish you had an extra hour in the day? Perhaps you struggle to get everything done – or you find that you only manage to get projects completed in a huge rush before a deadline. Maybe someone’s told you that you have “poor time management skills”. Maybe you believe that’s simply who you are. You envy people who seem to be on top of everything – but you don’t think you could do the same. The truth is, time management is a skill, and one which you can learn. There are a huge number of books, blogs, audio programs and seminars on the subject – and you probably feel a bit overwhelmed by all the information out there. Here, I’m going to stick to the basics. These are all simple – but hugely effective – ways to improve your time management, starting today. #1: Make a... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803569 Tue, 10 May 2011 05:30:06 +0100 4803569 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803570&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F-maF8n3xDXg%2F Slipped into the doldrums? Feeling sad and low and lonely? We all feel this way from time to time. Often, all we need is a good distraction to shake us out of the funk. Here are 45 quick and easy mood lifters that you can use right now: 1.Tell a good joke – or ask people nearby to tell you their favorites. I just read this one, in the intro to Tina Fey’s book Bossypants. “Two peanuts walked down the road. One was a salted (peanut.)” And a personal favorite: “What do you call cheese that isn’t yours? Nacho cheese.” 2. Follow funny people on twitter.  I am partial to goofy humor and silly puns, so Ellen DeGeneres always gets a giggle from me @theellenshow. Conduct a search on twitter to see if any of your favorite comedians tweet. 3. Spend a few minutes watching babies giggle... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803570 Mon, 09 May 2011 06:54:37 +0100 4803570 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803571&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F2sc_CLuFGlI%2F Self Improvement is a lot like riding a horse (or a bike). Sometimes you go too fast and you fall off. Or you go too slowly and you fall off. And you might do everything right, and still fall off. Don’t hate the player hate the game right? Bottom line is you must stop yourself from freaking out as you fight to stay on.  Just accept you’re going to fall off every now and then. It’s fine because you’re supposed to fall down – it’s part of the journey.  (But no one said you had to lay there in the fetal position.) When you find yourself face down in the mud, your growth comes from how fast you get up, There are many stages of failing at self-improvement and I thought I’d share a few (I’m not making light of your challenges, I’m trying to... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803571 Sun, 08 May 2011 18:41:46 +0100 4803571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4795077&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F4XTLWXn6G4Q%2F The Dividends of Understanding and Embracing Your Failures No one likes to talk about the dreaded “F” word. No…not that one. The meaning of the word Failure has joined the ranks of words and phrases that traditionally are regarded as lewd or vulgar – to the point that it’s almost taboo to discuss someone’s failures. But in some arenas, the tide may be shifting a bit. Recognizing that innovation comes only from risk taking and that employees will shy away from experimentation if they fear retribution, some companies have begun rewarding employees courageous enough to seek new, creative ways to solve problems. That concept signals a fundamental shift in perspective about what it means to fail. Under this emerging theory, a failure merely represents a bump ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4795077 Sat, 07 May 2011 06:21:55 +0100 4795077 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4795078&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F7iSWXKZ2S-s%2F Experts talk about the pros and cons of cash gifts, earned money, dole outs, and allowances. Parents wonder, which is right for their families. We may be missing the bigger picture. How our children get spending money is irrelevant. It’s what they learn about money that matters. When we say we want our children to know about money, what do we mean? Do we mean we want them to know how-to make it and how-to spend it? If we teach them the why we make money and why we spend money, they will know how-to. If money is the end, there will never be enough. If money is a means, there will be plenty. It is not necessary for children to have their own money to learn to manage money. They are learning by everything we do – how we hide it, how we spend it, if we share it, and if we waste it. ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4795078 Fri, 06 May 2011 17:04:38 +0100 4795078 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789665&cid=t_160706_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=4780501&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FXPVZyC9yd54%2F Do you enjoy your work? Maybe you do – you have a job which you love, and which you find interesting and fulfilling. Or maybe you don’t – you hate your job but you have to stick with it because you need the money. Chances are you fall somewhere in the middle: you have good days and bad days, and you could definitely be happier than you currently are. So, here are seven little ways to be happier at work, right now. #1: Be Friendly to Your Colleagues In some big offices, people might not even say “good morning” to one another. It costs nothing to be polite and friendly to your colleagues. You might think that you have nothing in common with them (especially if you’re just working a temporary job for money) – but if you strike up a conversation, you may well find that they share... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4780501 Wed, 04 May 2011 04:05:08 +0100 4780501 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775624&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FGv54_O3X8lM%2F “Whatever we are waiting for – peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance – it will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart.” ~Sarah Ban Breathnach A mind shift is a change of focus and perception. It can have extraordinary power to make relationships more positive and healthy; to improve your focus and rate of success; and to build self-esteem and overall happiness. A mind shift is an “ah ha” moment on steroids. It’s the movement of the tectonic plates in your psyche, opening your mind to entirely new ways of thinking and acting. Author, speaker, and coach extraordinaire, Steve Chandler, writes about mind shifting in his book Shift your Mind: Shift the World. He su... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4775624 Tue, 03 May 2011 04:20:00 +0100 4775624 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775625&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FWljrTCDSxiI%2F The large, maple tree that shades our house disperses whirly, helicopter seeds. From these seeds, trees grow almost anywhere, amongst flowers and between grape vines. Trees even weave in and out of metal fencing. Have you ever noticed how trees grow in spite of limits? A tree makes space for its roots and leaves, changing directions as needed. We, too, can create space and adjust for personal growth. For me, changing myself is a far greater challenge than academic learning. Iíve got the knowledge, yet applying it to my life is something different. Turning knowledge into action can get even tougher when I impose limits on myself. What limits do you impose on yourself? When we limit ourselves, we stunt our growth potential. Do any of these limiting assumptions sounds familiar? I’ll n... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4775625 Mon, 02 May 2011 06:59:54 +0100 4775625 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4771359&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FGh7JyNjnrD8%2F Fear is something you probably avoid at all costs. If you’re nervous in elevators, you might take the stairs. If you’re afraid of heights, you probably wouldn’t go on a skiing vacation. And if you’re scared of the ocean, the beach is most likely not on your list of hot spots is it? But have you ever thought about what it really costs you when you try to live without fear? If you’re afraid of being hurt or taken advantage of in a relationship, if you’re terrified to leave your dead-end job or if you simply try to keep yourself busy to avoid worrying about money and other day to day things… Then it’s official…. Fear is taking over your life and you’re letting it happen. Even if you’ve “figured” out how to push it a... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4771359 Sun, 01 May 2011 06:18:17 +0100 4771359 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4768279&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FNgV00Pfp9zQ%2F One of the most popular self-help books ever written on depression is Feeling Good by Dr. David Burns. He identifies several cognitive distortions the depressed suffer from.  One of them is Overgeneralization. This is the practice of “viewing a single negative event as a never-ending pattern of defeat.” If you lose your job, suddenly you are worthless and you will never amount to anything. If you look at your 401(k) statement and you’ve lost 35% of your nest egg, suddenly you’ll never be able to retire and you’ll have to be a Walmart greeter when you’re 85 years old. When things are bad, it feels like everything is bad and they’ll always be bad. One of the simplest, most enjoyable and most effective ways to improve your outlook and rise above the ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4768279 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 07:10:19 +0100 4768279 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4768280&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F42jSkyOvMVY%2F The first time I meditated, I was very happy. I felt incredibly relaxed afterwards, and experienced freedom from my thoughts in a real way for the very first time. I thought, ‘Wow, I’m really on to something here.’ Of course, I had no idea what was in store yet, or how true my statement really was! As I got more and more into meditation, I started receiving insights and connecting with an energy that I wasn’t familiar with. These strange insights appeared to come out of nowhere, and though I couldn’t identify their source, they just felt so very right. It was so strange that I had to explore it farther. I decided to see if I could ask this source questions about my life. I remember forming a question about my website regarding how to increase traffic. I went o... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4768280 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 04:48:09 +0100 4768280 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4759062&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fhr5bAq9qgos%2F Conclusion Goal setting can be a powerful source of motivation and it activates universal laws like the law of attraction.  It is a wonderful tool. Try out this exercise and become one of the top 2% in the world. I hope you liked this article and found it useful. If you would like to read more from Daniel M. Wood you can find more at his blog Looking to Business.com. He has a free newsletter “Your Path to Your Dreams” which is an email course that will help you move quickly towards your goals, when you join you will even receive a free copy of his ebook “How to Make Selling Easy”! Join Your Path to Your Dreams Today!   Don’t Forget To Follow Us On Twitter! : How To Increase Self Discipline How To Motivate Yourself (Source: PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Impro... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4759062 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 05:52:46 +0100 4759062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4759063&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FHQw2wbCjlEU%2F What is a greater priority in your life: happiness or success? While it is possible to achieve both, we often sacrifice one for the other when making major life decisions such as what career to pursue, whether to move to the suburbs to afford a bigger house, or whether to attend a family event if it means getting less work done. The science of happiness, also known as positive psychology, basically studies human behavior and positive emotions with the aim of determining what factors can result in an increased level of happiness. The conclusions from this research can provide interesting insights into how we can maximize our happiness. The following concepts are featured in the book Happiness Hypothesis, which is a great book for learning about the findings from happiness research. Does In... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4759063 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 05:20:28 +0100 4759063 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753891&cid=t_160706_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FBVk7sxxWYy0%2F At Blisstree, we’re all about trying to get happier and healthier in order to live better, and we hope to help you do the same every day. But, of course, it’s not always easy to know how to make that intangible dream of happiness a reality. And even if you do know how to do it, it’s pretty challenging to keep all the parts of your life in balance so that often-elusive health and happiness last as long as possible. So I asked M.D., board-certified psychiatrist, and Blisstree contributor Dale Archer to give us ten steps we can take to promote and achieve lasting happiness in our own lives (and these are tactics he actually shares with his patients). So what are we waiting for? Let’s get happy — and healthy. 1. Exercise. Even if you’re not a gym rat, walkin... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753891 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:50:20 +0100 4753891 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753991&cid=t_160706_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=4747924&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fn2kvrMYeInE%2F Why is it so hard for you to say, “thank you” to you, when you say thank you to complete strangers every day (or at least I hope you do). If someone holds the door, or even when a waiter brings you the check asking you for money, you say “thank you”. Heck many times you take the time to give lip service to be polite, but at least you say it, right? So if it’s that easy, when is the last time you told YOU thank you? Thank you for my beating heart, thank you lungs for my breath, thank you legs for all you do… Do you ever say that?  It’s doubtful. Yet, if you want to connect with your true power, your subconscious, or spirit, taking the time to simply say thank you is a GAME CHANGER. If you don’t believe me, try one of these 3 power tricks to supercharge your day wi... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4747924 Mon, 25 Apr 2011 07:50:55 +0100 4747924 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4744935&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fm5rCOoVstS4%2F Throughout the years I have had many mentors who have influenced my life, both dead and live, in the soul (mind) and body areas of my life, but there is only one who has also significantly impacted me in the spiritual area of my life. In this secular world many people tend to forget that we are a triune being – spirit, soul and body, and that we need to tend each area that constitutes our life in order to live a full, balanced and successful life. So let me introduce you to, in my opinion, the giant amongst mentors, taken from the most popular and best selling motivational book ever written. This is not about religion. This is about real life lessons that can be applied to your life in an instant, and I highly recommend that you take them and apply them to your life immediately. Below ar... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4744935 Sun, 24 Apr 2011 06:14:18 +0100 4744935 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4742661&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F5SdEWHIw0Mw%2F My two-year-old daughter doesn’t balk at all the water I give her to drink. But when I told my 7-year-old son to drink a glass of water, he said, “But I’m not thirsty. Can I have root beer instead?” Suddenly I got a flashback to my early years. There was never a dull moment with my family growing up, but I didn’t learn the importance of drinking water. Water just tasted bad to me, and I chose not to drink it. I didn’t have a clue that I was depriving myself of the most important factor for enjoying good health: drinking plenty of water. What turned me around was something I learned in my late 20s while watching a show on television. An object lesson was used to teach the importance of drinking water. In essence, if you washed your dirty dishes with orange soda, they wouldn’t ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4742661 Sat, 23 Apr 2011 07:38:50 +0100 4742661 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4742535&cid=t_160706_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F0vszrfUIDvw%2F A new study suggests that virtual reality and other video games involving motion can enhance motor improvement after a stroke. The improvement seems to be greater than the one observed with traditional therapy. This result is quite promising since 55 to 75% of stroke survivors experience motor problem in their arms. The study was a meta-analysis that looked at 12 previously published studies, for a total of 195 patients. Most were observational studies in which the patients used a variety of virtual (e.g., Wii) and non-virtual  (e.g., Glasstron) games during therapy. In the 5 randomized studies, a group of patients was assigned to standard therapy and another to virtual reality therapy. Patients in virtual reality therapy had 4.89 times higher chance of improvement in motor strength... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4742535 Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:20:41 +0100 4742535 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4742662&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FSyldqD0nHMU%2F Someone once said, “The key to happiness is having dreams.  The key to success is making your dreams’ come true.”  Today I want to talk about making your dreams come true.  I want to talk about five keys that will help turn your dreams into reality. Without further adieu…. 5 Must Read Keys to Success: 1. Preparation “The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.” ~Benjamin Disraeli Success loves preparation.  If the perfect opportunity presented itself today, would you be ready?  It’s better to be ready and not have an opportunity, then to have an opportunity and not be ready. To succeed, you must be ready when opportunity comes.  Spend your time preparing for success, when your opportunity comes, you’ll ... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4742662 Fri, 22 Apr 2011 05:43:52 +0100 4742662 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734715&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FjQGcsv9ocjM%2F Many of us go through life without truly living it. Jonathan Swift once said; “There are only few who live today, most of us live tomorrow”. I have mostly lived in tomorrow, always looking forward, aiming for my goals. Many times I have let my happiness and well being today slide so that I can produce results that will benefit me in the future. Find Balance I wrote about this in depth in an earlier post here at Pick The Brain: How to find Balance in Life but I want to mention it here since it is an important subject. If you cannot balance your needs of today with the needs of tomorrow you will not be able to focus 100% on your goals and you won’t be able to continuously produce high quality results. How I try to Increase “daily living” As I said I have had a lot of problems focus... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734715 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 06:08:50 +0100 4734715 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734716&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F7m9pgOSpUNo%2F If you’re reading this, chances are that you don’t know what your passion is. The good news is that if you keep reading, you will discover 11 proven ways of finding your passion today. You see, most people give up before they even have the chance of finding what truly excites them in life. Don’t let that be you. Take control of your life and decide how you want to live. You can go after your dreams if you choose to. The only thing you have to do is take one small step each day towards your dreams and you will get there sooner or later. Refuse to give up and you will live a glorious life. You are on this planet to contribute to humanity with the gifts you have. We all are. With all that said let’s look at how you can find your passion, right now. 1. Ask Your Higher S... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734716 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 06:26:24 +0100 4734716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734717&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FQQDutiIoxz0%2F Ever seen an ad promising that you can “lose 30lbs in a month” or “make $$$ working from home part-time – with no experience”? It’s tempting to believe that there’s a magic bullet, some way to fix our problems quickly and easily – without any effort, self-discipline or hard work. And marketers know that this is how we think. They promise to spill the secrets, teach us easy tips that change our lives radically. They go for highly emotive issues like weight loss and money. The problem is, there’s no magic bullet. There never is. How can I be so sure? Because if it really was that easy, we’d all be doing it. If there really was some huge secret to making money without any effort, do you really think that one canny marketer would be the only person who knew it? If it really... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734717 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 06:49:31 +0100 4734717 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4724050&cid=t_160706_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FZkidvf57iq0%2F In the past few days you may have come across headlines claiming that weight loss can improve memory. If so, you may be wondering what to make of this. Let’s take a brief look at the study at the origin of these articles. Participants were 109 bariatric surgery patients and 41 obese people (controls) who had not undergone surgery. Bariatric surgery refers mostly to gastric bypass surgery, which creates a smaller stomach and bypasses part of the small intestine. The bariatric patients were enrolled in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery project conducted, among others, by researchers at Kent State university and Columbia University. The memory of the 150 participants was assessed before the surgery as well as 12 weeks after. Results showed that the memory of the surgery patie... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4724050 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:02:03 +0100 4724050 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4724293&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FEe4jYxmNUSY%2F Your friend texts you about their frustrating day, your taxes have to be filed, the radio spouts news of another disaster somewhere, and you still haven’t taken your car in for its oil change.  With the wonders of technology and high-speed interaction between us all, we’re finding it more and more difficult to keep our mental machinery chugging away at optimum performance.  What you need is scheduled maintenance. Just like your car, your brain needs fuel and regular care to perform like you need it to.  If you drive your Ferrari too many miles without adding gasoline, it will sputter and quit on you.  If you go months without replacing oil and tires and hoses and belts, your Maserati will eventually respond with sluggishness or even more catastrophic ends.  Your brain is prec... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4724293 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 04:16:22 +0100 4724293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4724294&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2Fo2vOk9SdZTo%2F Which one of these statements do you believe in? “And eye for an eye” or “Live and let live”? No matter how you answered, your response was based on your belief system. Yet, if I asked 20 people, they wouldn’t all answer the same because they have different beliefs and filters through which they see things. Your biggest source of pain comes from not seeing how limiting your beliefs can be. Believing what you feel to be based on “facts,” is a lie.  What you feel is based on your perception of the facts. Suffering never comes from the facts themselves, it comes from your perception of the facts; it’s the meaning you place on what YOU are processing in that moment. Your brain receives data from your five senses. Your mind then process the data and applies meaning based on... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4724294 Sun, 17 Apr 2011 17:18:23 +0100 4724294 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4720094&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2F_kilCmVcUks%2F Mention meditation and many people would associate it with monks chanting in temples or ascetics who have given up all luxuries for a lifetime of deep contemplation in the mountains. That may be true in the past, but today, meditation is practiced by people from all walks of life. Men and women, spiritual or otherwise, are learning meditation to improve their responses to life’s challenges. And believe it or not, meditation can even help you to improve your business! Meditation as a business tool? Let me explain. The ever changing landscape of business often leaves many of us shocked, confused or disillusioned. Responding out of these non-productive states of mind usually result in mindless reactions that not only fail to meet long-term business goals, but may even jeopardize the lif... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4720094 Sat, 16 Apr 2011 06:36:34 +0100 4720094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4715038&cid=t_160706_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FVCtCkMXWLvk%2F We’ve all heard it. Someone says something along the lines of, “To be young -well, don’t get too used to it because it’s all down hill from here.” We safely heed this warning, but as the years pass and we don’t see the ultra-rapid decline we expect, we begin to ask ourselves if there’s any truth to the belief that we peak when we’re young. A little bit of psychological research gives us the answer we’re looking for. Dr. K. Warner Schaie, an American social gerontologist and psychologist, is a co-founder of the Seattle Longitudinal Study. Started in 1956 and still running today, the Seattle Longitudinal Study looks at aging as it relates to cognition by measuring the abilities of participants from birth through old age. As of present, the study has produced some amazing fi... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4715038 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 06:33:04 +0100 4715038