Enrich your family life through family goal setting. Learn what it is, how it will help strengthen family relationships, and check out some goal ideas to help you get started.
A family is more than simply a group of people who live together. A family is a cohesive unit of people who live together and share similar values. Those family values are the glue that binds a family unit together and provide a guide for creating family goals.
What are family goals? They are objectives that every family member works towards accomplishing.
For example, one goal might be to go on a family vacation. As a family, each person plays a part in making that happen. Another goal idea might be to host a family movie night every Friday and every family member makes it a point to avoid scheduling anything else on that night.
These goals can be easily attainable as long as everyone is involved and actively working to make it happen.
If I’m being completely honest, family goal setting wasn’t something we really did before 2019. We each went our separate ways, and hope the calendars align. I understand, our family may be way different than many since my husband traveled so frequently prior to March 2020, and we really didn’t plan anything. We were at the mercy of a client and if they needed to see him. We couldn’t really plan vacations, or even a weekly date night.
If you haven’t sat down as a family and brainstormed ideas and come up with a goal or two to work toward, I want to encourage you to try it!
How to Use Family Goal Setting to Strengthen Your Family Bond
Why Is Goal Setting With Families Important
Why is family goal setting something to incorporate into your family life? Doesn’t it just make more work for the parents?
Actually the opposite is true. Family goal setting doesn’t create more work – it lightens the load because everyone is pitching in for the “reward” at the end.
Although, perhaps the biggest reason for setting goals together as a family is that the process builds an even stronger connection as a family unit because all members are working toward accomplishing a common goal.
It has some other cool benefits too, such as:
Learning things together to move forward and grow together.
Setting family goals makes family members think about what’s important to them.
Achieving more when everyone works toward a common goal.
Teaches children a life skill they need to learn before they go out and live on their own.
Research shows that people who work towards achieving a goal live happier, more satisfied lives.
Family Goal Setting
Now that you have an idea of why setting goals together as a family is beneficial, what are goals that families can set and work on together?
When COVID hit in March 2020, things changed drastically, as I’m sure it did in most homes. We were home all the time, we needed to get a plan together that actually worked for everyone. We started to plan dinners, and when we could vacation, more than a day ahead. I decided to get a Peloton and have some more accountability in the fitness department. We started planning when we would go to Hawaii, since it’s our yearly vacation and who we would take. Our plan and common goal was to get there by the end of 2020, no matter what we had to do.
Another goal we have as a family and more long term is to grow our rental home number and business on a regular basis. We had to figure out how to manage the funds for the remodels, and also keep the units full among the pandemic.
I sat down and brainstormed a list of examples, but this list is by no means exhaustive. I hope it inspires you to think of and set a goal that’s not even listed!
Plant a Garden
Growing a garden together is a fun way to produce something very tangible.
If this is something you want to do, you can sit down and for family meetings to:
plan your garden space
decide what you want to grow
prepare the soil
plant the seeds
water the plants
weed
harvest the hard-earned fruits of your labor.
Then you take it a step farther by working together to incorporate your homegrown food into your meals.
A garden is a great way to see something through from start to finish together and it’s a great way to keep younger kids engaged in the process! Plus, tending to a garden over several months is a great way to spend quality time as a family.
Plan and Save for a Family Vacation
Who wants to go to Disney World? Ok, nothing says you need to plan a trip to Disney, but planning a trip makes for a terrific objective to work toward together.
Family goal setting works well for a family vacation because everyone can pitch in to help determine the destination, save money to put toward the trip, and plan activities.
Get Physically Active Together
Physical activity is good for your mental health and physical health. You might even go so far as to say that they who sweat together stay together 😁 A great idea of a healthy familial goal is to be active together.
Maybe you take the dog for a walk as a family every day. Or perhaps you train together to run a 5K and then do it. Hiking, skiing, tubing, playing sports, biking, are even more ways to get active together and also double as great quality time ideas!
Divide the Chores
If you find that one or two people take care of the bulk of the household workload, it might be time to set a family goal of dividing chores among all family members. This allows all members to share the workload. And it also gives every member an important sense of ownership in the family.
Learn a New Skill Together
Facing a challenge and overcoming it together is a great way to approach family goal setting!
Try learning a new skill together such as fishing, cooking, dancing, or even learning a new language. Everyone learns a new skill they will need in life and gains valuable experience of positive ways to tackle challenges in life. Plus, you might just have some family fun together learning something new.
Eat More Fruits and Veggies
Set a goal to eat a certain number of servings per day. Let every family member help with meal planning and meal preparation to make it happen on a regular basis.
With a goal like this one, every member will benefit both from helping share the workload and eating healthier.
* A tip for getting the kids on board with eating more fruit — Find cute containers to store the fruit in, like these.
Volunteer Together
Helping others who need a hand in some way is a fantastic family activity that benefits the family members as well as the people they help. It can even become a new family tradition.
Volunteering ideas may include things such as spending time helping extended family with chores or yard work, volunteering at a soup kitchen, or wrapping gifts for less fortunate kids during the holiday season. The possibilities are endless!
Spending Time Together as a Family
From my experience, spending time together as a family on a regular basis is much easier to do when the kids are little. As they get older, busier, and want to hang out with their own friends, it becomes harder to carve out time as a family.
If you’re in this situation, family goal setting could mean dedicating a day or evening each week that your family spends together. It could be family dinner, family movie night, or family game night. Let everyone have input on how they would like to spend that time together.
Begin a Family Book Club
Want to encourage spending less time on devices and more time reading or having engaging conversations? A family book club is an excellent way to do all of this at one time! Less screen time and video games, and more active learning.
Brainstorm new book titles during family time and even let all family members propose discussion questions to cover when you sit down at the dinner table to discuss the book you all read. For a real treat, follow up book club night with some yummy ice cream. That’s something everyone can look forward to!
Starting a Family Goal and How to Decide on Which Goal to Make
Not sure where to start? I suggest approaching family goal setting in this way your first time. After you go through the process a few times, you may modify the exact steps slightly for your family, but here’s a good way to begin.
1. Start by asking each family member about their personal goals.
Also ask each person to name something they see as challenges in family life that could be improved. If you need more ideas, ask everyone to say something they’ve always wanted to try but have been too afraid. Write all of these ideas and thoughts down.
2. Take this list and narrow it down by eliminating items that won’t work at this time.
Use the SMART goal method to set you up for goal setting success and help you track and meet your objectives. The SMART method will help you break down a long term goal into smaller short term goals to help you stay on track.
3. Vote on the final long term goal.
I recommend only implementing one goal at a time, especially when you first start!
4. Set specific measurable short term goals and timelines.
Decide on the milestones you want to achieve and when – and write them down!
5. Get to work!
6. Build in a reward to enjoy once you accomplish the goal together.
7. Sit down together and evaluate how the process went, how you can improve it, and begin working on a new goal!
It is through challenges that we grow. When we can do that together as a family, we strengthen our family bonds. The ultimate purpose of family goal setting is to build a stronger, healthier, and happier family, and that only happens when every family member feels connected and part of the process.
I hope this post helps you plan family goals and transform your family in new and powerful ways!
When it comes to building a brand of your own, deciding a niche is imperative. Niche is a field that you are most comfortable being in, something you are best at, and something that fits you.
Every profession has a niche, for instance even when you are a doctor, you have a specialty, for instance, cardiologist, ENT, ortho, and so on. Similarly, whatever you are planning to do in terms of setting a brand, there has to be a niche. Niche helps you narrow down your target audience and allow you to focus in one direction.
But it isn’t easy to decide, sometimes because we have many interests, or because we are not clear as to where we are headed. But worry no more, because we are here to simplify the process.
How to narrow down your niche and build your brand
Why is a niche important?
Narrowing down your niche is important because targeting too broad of an audience or customer base makes it harder to stand out in the crowd. This goes for blogging, influencing, podcasting, and beyond. Even simply writing a blog post or selling a specific product in a clothing store. By identifying your niche target audience (the people who have the most in common with you) you are more likely to make stronger connections, reach more potential customers, and keep them coming back for more.
Overall, finding a niche is crucial to defining your niche business and locating your ideal customer base. Niching down and building your brand is just one step in building your successful small business. Here’s how to find and narrow down your niche!
1. Identifying your niche
This involves a lot of self-evaluation, thinking, and exploring. Before targeting a niche, you have to begin by asking yourself, what is it that you are most comfortable doing? The area you would be most comfortable with and passionate about. Make a list, because these are your possible niche. But since you have to pick one, evaluating your potential products and service is more important. In this part of the process, you also need to identify the group of people and their pain points you can cater to as your ideal client.
2. Narrow down your niche
While technically a part of identifying your niche, narrowing it down even further is important enough to identify as its own step. Once you get an idea of your niche, you want to narrow it down even further to ensure that you stand out in the industry.
For example, if your niche is “health,” you can narrow it down by choosing a specific target within the health industry, such as fitness or nutrition. This makes it easier to reach your target audience and get noticed.
3. Be authentic
You’re going to have a much harder time building your brand if you’re trying to be someone you’re not. Only you can provide the service you want to provide, in the way you can offer it. You are unique and therefore your product is unique. But that only stands if you’re being authentic.
4. Evaluate your product
When you have not narrowed down your niche, product evaluation can help. You can pick the niche that is bringing significant value to the customers. In short, you have to speculate the demand.
You can do that by thinking like a customer. Notice your consumer behavior. What is your perception of other brands? Ask yourself, if you were a customer, would you buy the product or service you are offering? The area with the greatest demand can be the most promising. Narrow down your niche based on that. This will help give you the competitive edge you are looking for in your online marketing and business.
5. Do your research
When you are building your brand or picking out a niche, it’s obvious that you have to do your research. You have to look at your competition, study the market for the product you are planning to offer to the audience.
Have there been companies in the past that were offering the same services that currently you are? If there were any, how did they perform? Did they fail? Or did they succeed? If they succeeded, it means the product or service did have a demand. Secondly, if they failed, then why did they fail? What did they do wrong? Look to see what other business owners are doing to figure out their niche market.
There would be plenty of companies in the market having a similar brand as you, but the question is how are you different from them? Why should customers choose your brand instead of theirs?
Once you have your answers, you would be clear about how to move forward.
6. Have a marketing strategy
Once you have identified your niche, you have to realize that in the cosmopolitan era, your brand is nothing without marketing. Precisely because creating a product is not enough, you have to make your products reach the target audience to generate leads for your brand. This is the hard part because there is a lot of competition in today’s world. You cannot just stick to creation anymore; you have to resort to marketing.
But for that, you have to decide your channels. Some brands hire social media influencers to take care of their brand marketing efforts. Instagram has been a popular marketing tool for that, and in general as well for brands and small businesses.
Brands interact with followers, show their products, and generate leads out of them. You can do the same, but you have to be patient, consistent. Most importantly, you have to be aesthetic. By aesthetics, we mean both the product, and the images of your product. Aesthetics sell a lot and help you create value, according to the current market trend.
So to conclude, you have two things to decide here. Your channel, and strategy of marketing. But with them, also comes your marketing budget. When you are clear on that, you are almost ready.
Once you have gathered command on all these aspects, your brand is ready to make your entry into the market. Couple these tips with consistency, innovation, determination and you’ll be invincible.
If you have some tips or ideas to share, feel free to drop them in the comments section.
Looking to cut down on waste and shop mindfully? You’re in luck! In this blog post, we will discuss some easy tips that will help you reduce your environmental impact and make more sustainable choices when shopping. We’ll cover everything from reducing packaging waste to choosing eco-friendly products. So whether you’re just getting started or looking for ways to take your ethical and sustainable shopping habits to the next level, read on for some helpful tips!
13 Sustainable Shopping Tips: How To Shop More Sustainably, Cut Down on Waste, and Shop Mindfully
1. What is sustainable shopping
There are many ways to reduce your impact on the environment, and one of them is through sustainable shopping. Sustainable shopping is all about making conscious choices about the products you purchase and supporting businesses that are working to reduce their environmental footprint. So next time you’re at the store, keep sustainability in mind and make choices that will have a positive impact on the environment.
2. Benefits of sustainable shopping
One way to help reduce your impact on the planet is to practice sustainable shopping. This means choosing socially and environmentally friendly products that have less of an impact on the planet. For example, you can buy sustainable products made from recycled materials, or choose items that can be reused or recycled. Sustainable materials are those that can be replenished or recycled easily, such as bamboo, organic cotton, or recycled plastic. You can also look for products that have been certified as environmentally friendly. When you shop sustainably, you can help reduce your carbon footprint and save money. Sustainable shopping is a great way to protect the environment and save money at the same time.
Another way to shop sustainably is to choose products that have a positive impact on the environment. For example, you might look for fair trade coffee or a reusable water bottle. Finally, sustainable shopping can also help you save money in the long run. Energy-efficient light bulbs, for example, may cost more upfront but will save you money on your energy bill over time.
3. Reducing plastic waste when shopping
Whenever you go food shopping, be sure to bring along some reusable bags with you! This way, you won’t have to rely on those plastic bags that the store gives you, which damage the environment. Not only is this more eco-friendly, but it can also help you save money in the long run because you won’t have to keep buying new plastic bags. Additionally, try to avoid purchasing items that come wrapped in a lot of plastic packaging. If possible, opt for items that are sold without any packaging, or with minimal packaging. This small change can make a big difference in reducing your overall plastic waste.
4. Advice for choosing eco-friendly products
When buying products, it is important to consider the impact that they will have on the environment. Sustainable brands typically use less energy and water during production, and their packaging is often made from recycled materials. In the fashion industry, one of my favorite brands is Farm Rio, which is the maker of this dress. As a result, buying eco-friendly (or earth-friendly) products can help reduce carbon emissions. Another way to reduce your environmental impact is to buy locally. Local businesses typically have shorter supply chains, which means that their products require less energy to transport. In addition, buying locally can also support your community and boost the local economy.
5. Buying local and Buying seasonal produce
When it comes to tip #5 on how to protect the environment, it is recommended that you buy local and seasonal produce. This is because the food has not had to travel as far so there are fewer emissions from transport, and it is also usually cheaper. In addition, seasonal produce is often a higher quality as it has been allowed to ripe fully before being picked. To find out what produce is in season, you can either ask at your local grocery store or do a quick search online. Furthermore, buying local produce helps to support farmers in your area and can even be more nutritious. So, next time you are doing your grocery shopping, make an effort to buy some local and seasonal produce. Your wallet and the planet will thank you!
6. Buying recycled and second-hand items
One way to reduce your environmental impact is to thrift store shop or buy recycled. You can often find items like clothes, furniture, and home decor for a fraction of the price of buying them new. And, when you shop second-hand, like at a thrift store or even through social media, you’re giving clothes and other items a second life instead of contributing to the demand for new products, which requires energy and resources to create. Additionally, many thrift stores donate proceeds to important causes like literacy programs, so you can feel good about supporting a worthy cause while also being thrifty. Buying recycled materials is another great way to be more sustainable.
When you buy products made from recycled materials, you’re helping to close the loop by decreasing the demand for virgin materials and reducing waste. Plus, recycled products often cost less than their virgin counterparts because they require less energy and natural resources to produce. So, next time you need something new, consider thrift store shopping or buying recycled instead of opting for something brand-new. Your wallet (and the planet) will thank you.
7. Reusing containers
One way to reduce your plastic use is to reuse plastic containers. That plastic take-out container can become your new lunch box, or those plastic freezer bags can be used to store snacks for the kids. You can even reuse plastic wrap! If you have a piece of plastic wrap that is no longer sticky, you can use it as a dishcloth or dust cloth. This tip is not only good for the environment, but it can also help you save money.
By reusing plastic containers, you will reduce the amount of plastic wrapping needed, and you won’t have to buy as many new containers. So next time you are about to throw away a plastic container, think about how you could reuse it instead. And if you’re ever in the market for a new container, be sure to choose one that is high quality and will stand the test of time.
8. Switching to sustainable brands
One small way to make a big impact on the environment is to switch to sustainable cleaning products. This can be anything from using all-natural ingredients like vinegar and baking soda, to purchasing cleaning products that are made with recycled materials. Not only is this better for the planet, but it can also save you money in the long run. Sustainable cleaning products tend to be more concentrated, so you don’t need to use as much of them to get the job done. They also last longer, so you won’t have to replace them as often. As a result, making the switch to sustainable cleaning products is a great way to save money and protect the environment.
Sustainable Food Brands
Here are just a few of the most sustainable food brands in the game.
Buying in bulk is a great way to save money, reduce waste, and stock up for a long time. When you buy in bulk, you only have to buy what you need, which means that there is less packaging material and fewer trips to the store. This can save you money on gas and packaging materials. In addition, buying in bulk can help to reduce food waste. When you buy large quantities of food, you are more likely to use it all before it goes bad. This can help to reduce your carbon footprint and save you money on your grocery bill. Buying in bulk is a great way to save money and protect the environment.
10. Opting for biodegradable products
You can help reduce your environmental footprint and save money by choosing biodegradable products. When disposed of properly, biodegradable products will decompose quickly and release valuable nutrients back into the soil. This helps to reduce landfill waste and the need for chemical fertilizers. Additionally, biodegradable products are often made from renewable materials such as bamboo or hemp, which have a lower impact on the environment than traditional materials such as plastic or metal. When shopping for household items, look for products that are labeled as biodegradable or compostable. With a little effort, you can help to make a difference in the environment.
11. Considering energy-efficient goods
Many consumers are unaware of the environmental impact of the products they purchase. Tip #11 on sustainable shopping is to buy energy-efficient goods. This can be accomplished by reading product labels and doing research on a company’s website before making a purchase. items with the ENERGY STAR label are certified to be more energy-efficient than standard models. Buying energy-efficient products are not only good for the environment, but it can also save money on utility bills. When shopping for appliances, look for models that have earned the ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR certified products use less water and electricity, which can lead to lower utility bills and lessen environmental impact. Buying energy-efficient products is a simple way to save money and protect the environment.
12. Avoiding impulse items
According to a study conducted by the National Retail Federation, the average American spends about $1,200 on impulse purchases per year. While it may be satisfying to buy something on a whim, these impulse items often end up collecting dust in our homes or going straight to the landfill. If you’re looking to reduce your impact on the environment and save some money, it’s important to avoid impulse purchases.
One way to do this is to make a shopping list of what you need before you head to the store. This will help you to stay focused on your goal and prevent you from adding unnecessary items to your cart. Additionally, try to only shop when you have the time to browse carefully. This will help you to avoid buying items that you don’t need or want. Remember – before you hit that buy button, make sure you really need it.
13. Shopping less
One way to reduce your impact on the environment is to shop less. This may seem like an obvious solution, but it can be difficult to put into practice. For many of us, shopping is a form of entertainment or a way to relieve stress. However, the more we consume, the more strain we put on the planet. The manufacturing and transportation of goods require a lot of energy and resources, and the packaging materials end up in landfills where they take centuries to decompose. In addition, excessive consumption can lead to financial strain. If you’re trying to reduce your shopping habits, here are a few tips that may help:
-Unsubscribe from promotional emails:
This will help to reduce the temptation to buy things you don’t need and reduce shopping online.
-Create a budget:
Decide how much money you’re willing to spend each month on discretionary items and stick to it.
-Skip the mall:
Instead of window shopping or aimlessly wandering around, find other ways to entertain yourself. Take a walk in nature, visit a museum, or read a book. Its much harder to impulse buy in the mall when you’re not in the physical store.
-Borrow instead of buy:
If you only need an item for a short period, see if you can borrow it from a friend or family member. This will save you money and help to reduce consumption.
Sustainable shopping may seem like a daunting task, but by following these simple tips, you can make a difference in the environment and your wallet. By buying energy-efficient products, avoiding impulse purchases, and shopping less, you can help to reduce the strain on the planet. You’ll also help to create a more sustainable future. These are just a few of the many ways that you can make sustainable choices when shopping. What other sustainable shopping tips do you have? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Negative thoughts are a natural part of the human experience. We all have moments where we think pessimistically or dwell on past mistakes. However, when negative thoughts start to take over our lives and become obsessive and hard to deal with, they can actually do more harm than good. This is known as rumination – or constantly thinking about negative thoughts to the exclusion of any positive experiences. Rumination can lead to anxiety and depression, and it can be hard to break free from this damaging habit. In this post, we will explore how rumination affects our mental health and how we can effectively deal with it. Today, we will talk about how to effectively deal with rumination and free yourself from the habit of thinking negative thoughts.
How to Deal With Obsessive Negative Thoughts
1. What is Rumination and How Does it Affect Our Mental Health
Rumination is the process of dwelling on distressing thoughts for a long period of time. It can lead to mental health conditions such as anxiety disorder and depression, as well as physical conditions like headaches and fatigue.
Ways to help deal with your Obsessive Negative Thoughts include:
Naming Your Thoughts:
Start by recognizing negative thoughts when they enter your mind. Acknowledge them without judgment – this will help you practice mindfulness, which is an important skill when it comes to managing compulsive behaviors and improving mental health.
Practicing Self-Care:
Schedule a “worry break” each day where you take some time to focus on calming activities such as deep breathing or yoga, or simply spend time with friends and family doing something enjoyable.
Distract Yourself:
If you start ruminating, distract yourself by doing something else. This could be cleaning the house, going for a walk or immersing yourself in a hobby you enjoy.
Create A Support System:
Talk to someone you trust about your thoughts and feelings – having a strong support network can help reduce stress levels and make it easier to cope with mental health issues.
Seek Professional Help When Necessary:
If obsessive negative thoughts, commonly intrusive thoughts, are becoming too hard to manage on your own, consider seeing a professional therapist who can help you adjust your life goals and enhance your self esteem through meditation, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or other therapeutic techniques. Knowing your triggers can also be helpful when it comes to managing mental health issues.
With patience and practice, it’s possible to break the cycle of obsessive negative thinking and improve mental health. Taking small steps such as practicing mindfulness, talking to someone you trust and scheduling worry breaks can help reduce stress levels and lead to a healthier mental state. If necessary, seek professional help for mental health issues – there is no shame in doing so and it could be the difference between maintaining a positive outlook or letting rumination take hold of your daily life.
Now that we know more about rumination and how it affects mental health, let’s make sure that we are breaking the cycle of obsessive negative thinking by taking proactive steps towards better mental health. With patience and consistency, you can learn to manage your mental health condition successfully and learn how to identify negative thinking patterns and stop them when they start.
2. Identifying Negative Thinking Patterns
When negative thoughts start to take over our lives, it can be hard to break free from the habit of thinking negatively. One way to do this is by recognizing the patterns of your own negative thought process. This could involve noticing when you’re worrying about the future, ruminating on past mistakes or having unwanted intrusive thoughts. Once you have identified these patterns, it will be easier for you to address and manage them in a healthier way.
Working with a mental health professional can also be beneficial as they can provide guidance and support as you learn how to control your anxiety and stop obsessive thoughts. Cognitive therapies such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) can help teach coping techniques and replace unhelpful thinking styles with more positive ones. Additionally, medications such as SSRIs may be prescribed to help manage Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and other anxiety-related disorders.
It’s important to remember that breaking the cycle of obsessive negative thinking is possible with hard work and dedication. By being mindful of your thoughts and taking steps towards managing them, you can start living in the present moment instead of ruminating on the past or worrying about the future. With proper treatment from a mental health professional, you can learn how to recognize and stop unwanted thoughts before they take hold of your life.
So don’t be afraid to take control of your own mental health – break the cycle of obsessive negative thinking today and start reframing them into positive thoughts!
3. Reframing Negative Thoughts
Negative thoughts can be hard to shake off and it can be easy to get stuck in a cycle of rumination. But is is possible to manage intrusive thoughts. Reframing junk thoughts is an important step that you can take towards breaking this cycle.
Reframing involves changing the way you interpret your thoughts and feelings. Instead of focusing on the negatives, look for the positives in any situation. Rather than viewing a difficult task as impossible, try viewing it as an opportunity to learn something new or challenge yourself. If one or more types of intrusive thoughts pop up, take note of them but then move on without dwelling too much on them – practice letting go of these kinds of thoughts and focus instead on positive self-talk such as affirming statements or gratitude exercises.
4. Practicing Mindfulness to Break the Cycle of Obsession
Mindfulness is an effective way to break the cycle of obsessive negative thinking. Mindfulness involves focusing on the present moment in a non-judgmental way. It can help us become more aware of our thoughts and feelings, allowing us to take control over them instead of letting them take control over us.
By paying attention to your breath and body sensations, you can practice being mindful in any situation. It can also be helpful to do mindfulness exercises such as progressive muscle relaxation or guided meditation to find a sense of calmness and clarity in times of distress. Additionally, it’s important to take regular breaks throughout the day – mindfully pause for just a few minutes each time to relax and recharge so that you don’t get overwhelmed.
By practicing mindfulness, we can learn to let go of the obsessive and negative thought patterns that can take over our lives. This can help us take back control and start living in the present moment instead!
5. Finding Support from Others
Breaking the cycle of obsessive negative thinking can be a difficult challenge, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Receiving support from family and friends is important during this process. If needed, you can also reach out for professional help – there are many online websites and services that offer counseling and therapy sessions with experienced mental health professionals.
Finding a support system and learning positive coping strategies can be key to breaking the cycle of obsessive negative thinking. So don’t be afraid to reach out – you don’t have to go through this alone!
6. Taking Action to Move Forward in Life
Breaking the cycle of obsessive negative thinking is an important step towards living a more fulfilling life. It may take time and effort, but by taking small steps like reframing your thoughts and practicing mindfulness, you can start to move forward in life. Additionally, don’t forget to reach out for help if needed – there are many online websites and services that offer counseling and therapy sessions with experienced mental health professionals.
So don’t be afraid to take the first step towards breaking the cycle of obsessive negative thinking – with determination, you can make positive changes in your life!
Breaking the cycle of obsessive negative thinking is an important step towards living a more fulfilling life. It requires determination and effort, but with patience and dedication, you can make positive changes in your life. Remember to reframe your thoughts, practice mindfulness, find support from others, and take action to move forward – these are all essential steps that will help you break the cycle of obsessive negative thinking.
Intentional living is the talk all “around town”, but what does it mean to be intentional and how can you create an intentional life for yourself?
Do you ever feel like you’re just going through the motions of daily life without a real purpose? Or that you’re a ping pong ball pinging around without really going anywhere purposeful? What about when you feel stuck and don’t know how to get out of it?
If you feel that way or have ever felt that way, you are not alone! At some point in their lives, many people (including me) experience periods of living out of habit, following the same thoughtless daily routines, or living in reaction to the things going on in their lives. It could be one area or all areas of your life that feel stuck.
It’s no wonder that so many people feel so empty and lost on the inside, which in turn prevents them from being their authentic selves.
“Intentional living” is a big buzzword these days, but have you given much thought to what it really means? Or why it even matters? Why intentional living and not something else?
What Does It Mean To Be Intentional
So many people – me included – live life according to what everyone else is doing: going to school, getting married, building a career, having children, buying a house, etc. And at some point, some of them may wonder why they’re so exhausted all the time and if what they’re doing is even what they want.
This also overlaps into when you become a parent or spouse and then become consumed with your children’s and spouse’s schedules instead of setting goals for yourself outside of what your family is doing.
After all, does it really make sense to be working 60 hours a week climbing the corporate ladder and paying off a mortgage if all you want to do is travel the world and experience new cultures?
That’s why I am passionate about intentional living. But what does living an intentional life really mean?
What is Intentional Living?
When we’re so busy just keeping our heads above water, it may feel like it takes too much time and energy to stop and think about what we really want.
Simply put, intentional living means to live your life with purpose, according to your individual values and goals.
Does that mean you need to have everything figured out? Nope. Does that mean that you can’t climb the corporate ladder and pay off a mortgage? Not at all!
Does that mean you can’t invest your time in things you want to do and have to forget about everyone else’s goals and schedules in your home? Nope!
But it does mean that you consciously make choices about what you want to do and know why you’re doing it. The “why” doesn’t need to match anyone else’s why; however, you do need to know what it is for you.
Unfortunately, not taking the time to know that will have major consequences because one day you’ll feel that life has passed you by and you didn’t do anything meaningful with it.
How do You Do it?
Living intentional every day means that you spend your time living the life you want most. That doesn’t mean that you’re going to have every single thing you want everyday, because that’s entitlement, not intentional living.
What it does mean is that you get to make decisions every day about what you want. Some of those decisions may involve taking small steps to get you closer to your bigger goals, and that’s okay! It’s fine to start small and gradually work your way into bigger goals and dreams! It means you get to be intentional with your habits and routines, by spending time doing things you want to do instead of things you have to do. You schedule in the intentional moment every day instead of skipping them and going to bed or something you have to do. It’s about making the intentional decision to live day to day with more purpose and a more positive mindset.
How to Live Intentionally
How do you spend your time and energy? Do those actions align with your values and goals? I would argue that if you aren’t putting your energy into working to create a life you want, then you aren’t living with purpose.
And if that’s the case, then I have good news for you, you can change that right now! Here are 5 ways to help you live more mindfully and add productivity tips to all areas of your life.
Stop to Ask “Why”
The whole purpose of living intentionally is to know the “why” behind everything you do, right? You may find, however, that it takes practice to put it into practice. Before you say “yes” to anything, consider these questions:
How will this add value to your life?
Who are you doing this for?
What do you hope to accomplish?
You don’t necessarily need to know the answers to all of these questions, as they are designed simply to increase your awareness in your decision-making.
Over time, you’ll likely find that you do know the answers to these questions more than you did at first, and they’ll help steer you toward making the best decision.
Listen Intentionally
Mindful living isn’t just about doing what you want, it’s also about nurturing the important relationships in your life.
Feeling connected to other people is essential to finding joy in life, and one of the best ways to feel connected to others is to practice intentional listening. In other words, practice the art of listening to understand rather than listening to respond.
Goal Setting
Working towards goals has been scientifically proven to make people feel happier and more fulfilled.
But there’s the challenge: if your goals in the past have all been around things that don’t make you feel fulfilled, then it’s time to start incorporating your true wants into your goal setting, which in turn will help you stay focused on achieving those goals.
Ditch Social Media
Spending your time on social media isn’t all bad. After all, it can be a great way to waste time in the dentist’s waiting room.
If you don’t want to completely ditch social media, just take a short break from it and be mindful about the media you consume. Doing that will help you realign your life to your goals without the influence of all the voices from other people. Those voices don’t matter and will only hinder your own efforts.
Do Something that Brings You Joy
This sounds very simple, but it’s really one of the key tenets of living an intentional life – and can be extremely challenging for people who are first starting on the journey toward intentional living.
It doesn’t need to be anything big and can, instead, be something very small such as reading a good book. But this simple act is powerful in that it adds value to your life in ways that we often overlook. It can also work wonders for your mental health.
An intentional life isn’t necessarily a perfect life, but it is a life filled with purpose. It’s about taking the steps to let go of the things that hold you back in order to seek those that make you feel alive.
Many times in your life, things may not go right. You may think it’s completely the opposite of right actually. I’m going to tell you how to keep an open mind and how it can affect your life.
For me, growing up, wasn’t always great. There were many times where I wished it were different and if I dwelled on the negative, I’m not sure where I would be today. Because I didn’t let all the bad in and just let a thought or an experience come in and float out, kind of like a cloud, I have a different outcome than I could have. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve worked HARD to get through all the negativity and the issues that were given to me by my parents and ancestors through their beliefs and stories. I always knew it wasn’t for me though and that I was meant for more.
It’s just a matter of keeping your mind and eye on the prize and where you want to go.
How to Keep An Open Mind
If someone from White County, Indiana, who graduated with 48 people whom she had classes with since 4th grade, can keep an open mind and be open to new ideas and experiences, and change her entire life, you certainly can too!
I will be honest though, it wasn’t until I was in my early 20’s that I really worked on being more open-minded and listening to other people’s experiences, lifestyles, and journeys. Before that, I was more close minded and under the influence of family and their pre-existing beliefs.
When I went off to college was when a whole new world was introduced to me, much like many young people getting out of the house for the first time. It was a time where I could really decide how I wanted things, you know? For the first time, I was in charge of who I could actually be and change my destiny.
Here are a few things that really moved the needle to get on my path of where I am today:
– Embrace New Perspectives by engaging with other open-minded people
– Listen more and talk less
– Practice Mindfulness in all areas of my life
– Encouraging Honesty and really honest conversations with myself
– Recognizing and stopping judgmental thoughts not just about others, but also about myself
– Practicing Empathy
– Stay open to meet new people who can help move the needle forward for you
– Questioning my own Assumptions and the willingness to have my own ideas challenged
– Not being okay with Status Quo – always questioning and trying to make life easier
– Learning about different lifestyles and journeys and fully embracing them myself
– Volunteering and donating to causes that I’m not familiar with
Now let’s break each of these down a bit further to understand them
– Embrace New Perspectives
Growing up, things were very closed minded. When my brother came out, I was in 7th grade and my parents kicked him out of the house and we didn’t talk about that experience. When I was a senior in high school, my little sister who was 16 at the time, a year younger than me, told my parents she was pregnant. We didn’t talk about that either. Things like this could have caused me to form opinions that were negative and judge others around me. I instead chose to keep an open mind and be more open to new ideas and perspectives that weren’t afforded me growing up. I’d say this really helps successful people get where they are, in whatever shape, form, or belief they have of success.
– Listen More and Talk Less
This one, I’m honestly still working on daily. With the girls, it’s a lesson I hope to teach them early on. For me, this lesson started when my nephew passed at 2 1/2 years old by drowning in a swimming pool. I wanted to remember all the special moments and what his voice sounded like, and his laugh. But because I was too busy trying to teach him how to sit at a restaurant and eat, or how to color properly, I don’t remember. Now, I am mindful of my words and thoughts and protect those precious times where learning and growth and memories happen. When we close our mouths and open our minds to what others are saying and doing, we are able to gain experience and knowledge from them as well.
– Practicing Mindfulness in All Areas of My Life
I have an addictive personality. So for me, I have to be mindful of that always. If I don’t pay attention, then I find myself shopping for absolutely no reason at all. Or I find myself running my tank on empty both my body and my car, because I will just rush to say yes to everyone. Or stretch myself too thin and not have enough time to do everything I need to do. As a parent, I believe this is also one of my lessons in life. And to teach our girls. Some days, it’s harder than others. Other days, it’s really easy.
– Encouraging Honesty and really honest conversations with myself
Another one that I had to learn through relationships after moving out of my parents house at 18. I was really good at telling myself all the things I was doing wrong. Or ways that I would never succeed. What I wasn’t good at was actually digging into the why behind those things. Like the root of them. Not just the surface view. I had to learn how to read my own BS meter and learn when to call it out.
Once I learned how to do that, I learned how to change the conversation in my head FIRST and then of those around me. I stopped accepting less than my worth and good. I dropped relationships and people who no longer fit into the better ideals and morals I held for myself. Also, I gave myself and my future a different point of view. I started doing personal development and gave myself the ability to live my life out of my comfort zone. Out of the negativity and it became a lot easier.
– Recognizing and stopping judgmental thoughts not just about others, but also about myself
Once I had honest conversations and people who fitting for my life, I stopped being so judgmental about others and myself. When you uplevel in one area of your life, you have to broaden your horizons and do the same in other areas. If you are a positive person, people judging and bringing negativity in your life will become less and less appealing. If you want to keep them in your life you can stop them when they say things or give looks that you don’t agree with. Or you can just live your life and move on.
Sometimes, the latter is easier and I promise, you don’t need to be afraid to share information. And if they don’t get it, tell them bye! Once they are gone and away, it’s much easier to embrace new ideas with a fresh perspective and less self-doubt. Always stay open to the idea that people and situations may be temporary in your life, not permanent.
– Practicing Empathy
I started learning this one the hard way in 7th grade when one of the rich kids made fun of my pants being too short. They were the only pants I was able to buy with my own money that year, and I wore them 2 times a week up until that point. This kid had zero knowledge of my home life or where I came from, just that he thought it was funny to make fun of my ‘high waters’ and point it out to everyone else in our class. That moment taught me to look at things differently, and to give empathy to others. I still do the same today because chances are, I’ve probably been in the same or very similar shoes.
Now, especially, it’s important to be open to new ideas and people who don’t look like or walk like or come from the same place as you.
– Questioning my own Assumptions
Right along with the last one, I think the saying, “Never judge a book by it’s cover,” fits well. This one I believe we work on our entire lives. When presented with new people, a new opportunity, a new struggle, etc. we must question the thoughts that are occurring in our mind and question why or where they are coming from. Was it a preconceived notion? Was it some believe given to you in childhood? Maybe you have no idea where or why it’s in your mind? All of this is ok to happen. What’s important is we are questioning and not automatically moving on to full conviction. Open mindedness is such an important virtue to have when assuming ideas and thoughts.
– Learning about different lifestyles and journeys and fully embracing them myself
Growing up, there was either meat and potatoes or nothing (and sometimes I chose nothing) and farm life. While those things did shape me in a lot of ways into who I am today, there wasn’t much opportunity to see what else there was. While I enjoy running and cardio to this day, I had no idea what yoga, mindful meditation. Heck, even what golf was until I got out on my own. It wasn’t until I went to Ball State my freshman year did I learn about being vegan. Or that I actually was a sort of vegetarian most of my life.
I learned that it’s ok to try new lifestyles and mix them into what I was already doing. I have kept that up most of my adult life and often people ask me where I learned something and I usually can’t remember because I’m always researching and learning about different lifestyles and implementing in my own life.
– Volunteering and donating to causes that I’m not familiar with
Every place I’ve volunteered with or donate to I had no knowledge of before making the donation or giving my time. This allows me to go in unbiased and truly listen and form my own opinion of the organization on my own terms. I have so many wonderful experiences and memories from choosing to spend my time and resources this way. It opens you up to ask lots of questions that you wouldn’t normally ask if you were previously familiar. When searching out opportunities to volunteer and donate to it’s a great practice to becoming a more open minded person.
Being open minded involves a great deal of getting out of your comfort zone and just really embracing what the organization is about.
My hope is after reading this, you have a few new ideas to help move not only your life better, but those around you. I also hope that if you don’t have the life you want, some of these steps will help you gain the courage to stand up for yourself and change.. There are so many benefits of being open-minded. that it’s well worth the challenge.
Change is one of the hardest things we do as humans, but it’s also one of the best things. Let’s embrace it with an open mind.
planning a trip makes for a terrific objective to work toward together. 
meal planning and meal preparation to make it happen on a regular basis. 
what is it that you are most comfortable doing? The area you would be most comfortable with and passionate about. Make a list, because these are your possible niche. But since you have to pick one, evaluating your potential products and service is more important. In this part of the process, you also need to identify the group of people and their pain points you can cater to as your ideal client. 
If there were any, how did they perform? Did they fail? Or did they succeed? If they succeeded, it means the product or service did have a demand. Secondly, if they failed, then why did they fail? What did they do wrong? Look to see what other business owners are doing to figure out their niche market. 
businesses.
is all about making conscious choices about the products you purchase and supporting businesses that are working to reduce their environmental footprint. So next time you’re at the store, keep sustainability in mind and make choices that will have a positive impact on the environment.
energy and water during production, and their packaging is often made from recycled materials. In the fashion industry, one of my favorite brands is Farm Rio, which is the maker of this dress. As a result, buying eco-friendly (or earth-friendly) products can help reduce carbon emissions. Another way to reduce your environmental impact is to buy locally. Local businesses typically have shorter supply chains, which means that their products require less energy to transport. In addition, buying locally can also support your community and boost the local economy.
home decor for a fraction of the price of buying them new. And, when you shop second-hand, like at a thrift store or even through social media, you’re giving clothes and other items a second life instead of contributing to the demand for new products, which requires energy and resources to create. Additionally, many thrift stores donate proceeds to important causes like literacy programs, so you can feel good about supporting a worthy cause while also being thrifty. Buying recycled materials is another great way to be more sustainable.
all-natural ingredients like vinegar and baking soda, to purchasing cleaning products that are made with recycled materials. Not only is this better for the planet, but it can also save you money in the long run. Sustainable cleaning products tend to be more concentrated, so you don’t need to use as much of them to get the job done. They also last longer, so you won’t have to replace them as often. As a result, making the switch to sustainable cleaning products is a great way to save money and protect the environment.
year. While it may be satisfying to buy something on a whim, these impulse items often end up collecting dust in our homes or going straight to the landfill. If you’re looking to reduce your impact on the environment and save some money, it’s important to 
such as anxiety disorder and depression, as well as physical conditions like headaches and fatigue.
them when they start.
thoughts is an important step that you can take towards breaking this cycle.
lives. This can help us take back control and start living in the present moment instead!
offer counseling and therapy sessions with experienced mental health professionals.
values and goals.
Stop to Ask “Why”
dentist’s waiting room.
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