Self-Improvement Archives

The Best Strengths for Leaders: Gallup’s 4 Recommendations

What’s Gallup’s leadership philosophy? What are the best Gallup strengths for leaders? Gallup is a business research and consulting company that Strengths Based Leadership by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie bases most of its research on. Their book lists four strengths that leaders should capitalize on based on their innate talents, with the help of a well-balanced team to fill in the gaps. Keep reading to learn more about the best Gallup strengths for leaders.

How to Practice Active Listening: 4 Tips for Fully Understanding

How often do you misunderstand what people are saying? When someone’s talking to you, do you pay attention to more than just the words they say? Every day, you hear people communicate. But, hearing doesn’t necessarily equal understanding. To completely get what someone is attempting to communicate to you takes skill—specifically, the skill of active listening. Read more to learn how to practice active listening and stop missing what people are trying to tell you.

23 Questions About Bad Habits to Ask Yourself to Break the Cycle

What routines do you have that don’t serve your goals? What harmful behaviors would you like to stop doing? Everyone has bad habits. One of the best ways to tackle them is to engage in serious self-exploration. We’ve put together several questions about bad habits that will help you identify and understand your habits, identify replacement behaviors, and then implement those replacements. Continue reading for five exercises that will propel you toward a healthier, happier life.

Anxiety Discussion Questions: 13 Exercises to Find Peace

Are you a bundle of nerves? Do worried thoughts occupy your mind? Is anxiety keeping you from living the life you want? Self-exploration is a powerful way to combat anxiety. It’s easier to deal with your worries when you know what they are and where they come from. We’ve put together 13 exercises based on concepts in several books—from classics to new titles, from secular sources as well as Buddhist and Christian works. Read on to find dozens of anxiety discussion questions based on the concepts in The Art of Happiness, Unwinding Anxiety, The Power of Positive Thinking, and How

10 Affirmation Exercises to Fill & Rewire Your Mind for Good

How do you start and end your day? What small changes can you make to fill your mind with positive and truthful thoughts that carry through to your beliefs and behaviors? No matter what you do, your mind is filled with thoughts. You can take control by deliberately thinking specific thoughts throughout the day. We put together affirmation exercises based on The Big Leap and Good Vibes, Good Life—and we included Christian affirmations from The Power of Positive Thinking. Keep reading for several simple exercises that can change your thinking and, ultimately, change your life for good.

Addiction Questions: Think About Your Habits & Life After Quitting

Do you struggle with alcoholism, workaholism, or other addictions? What bad habits would you like to break? Addiction is a controlling force; it makes you a slave. You might engage in behaviors that require professional intervention before you can shake them. But, regardless of what you’re addicted to and to what degree it controls your life, introspection is an excellent place to start. Continue reading for nine exercises that contain questions about addiction that will help you take steps in a positive direction.

8 Radical Acceptance Exercises to Help You Be Fully Present

Is anything negative going on in your life right now? Is your body trying to tell you something? Are you holding on to any regret or resentment? Radical Acceptance is a practice in which we acknowledge what we’re experiencing—positive or negative—and welcome it. It’s a powerful tool that allows us to be fully present in each passing moment. It helps us avoid getting stuck in our own heads. Continue reading for eight Radical Acceptance exercises based on the book of the same name by Tara Brach as well as books by Eckhart Tolle and Ryan Holiday.

4 Core Communication Skills + Tips for Making Them Your Own

Do you have a reputation as a good listener? Does it feel like you have to repeat yourself a lot? Do you get easily triggered, or do you seem to set other people off emotionally? Communicating effectively with others is a crucial skill—it’s how we build and maintain relationships, solve problems, and accomplish tasks. However, James Williams explains that good communication skills don’t come naturally—instead, they’re built up over time through intentional practice. Keep reading to learn about four core communication skills and how to practice them in your everyday life.

Effective Feedback Discussions: 4 Ways to Avoid Defensiveness

Does feedback tend to bounce off your walls of defense? Do you shy away from giving feedback to others because of how they might react? Feedback can be gold. But, regardless of its value, it’s an inescapable part of life. So, it’s wise to learn how to give it, receive it, and respond to it well. In Communication Skills Training, James Williams shares advice on how to make the most of conversations that entail feedback. Read more to get four recommendations for breaking through defensiveness in order to have a constructive feedback discussion with anyone.

Benefits of Speed-Reading: 4 Ways It Makes Life & Work Better

How would your life change if you could read faster? What opportunities would open up? It’s probably obvious that speed-reading enables you to read more. But, it also can improve your focus on—as well as the comprehension and memory of—what you read, give you more joy and confidence in reading, and broaden your expertise. Let’s dive into the details of these benefits of speed-reading.