Self-Improvement Archives

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.

Arthur Brooks’s From Strength to Strength: Book Overview

Are you in the second half of your life? Have you thought about how your career might better reflect the stage of life you’re in? As you get older, certain skills and abilities decline. But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t thrive professionally. Arthur Brooks’s From Strength to Strength is a practical how-to book that can help you think about success differently and find work that suits your changing brain. Continue reading for an overview of this encouraging and equipping book.

How to Enjoy Your Own Company as an Extrovert

Do you depend on other people to have a good time? Do you struggle to enjoy your own company? Extroverts thrive off social interactions and collaboration. But you aren’t going to be around people all the time, so it’s pivotal that you find ways to appreciate your own company. Discover how to enjoy your own company as an extrovert, and why everyone needs moments of solitude.

Managing Emotions in Communication: 4 Ways to Keep Your Cool

Do you tend to raise your voice or stop listening when you get frustrated? When you’re angry, do all of the right words come out in the right order? Emotions are a huge part of life. So is communication. When emotions and communication come together, the message often gets lost. That’s why James Williams identifies emotional control as a core communication skill. Continue reading to learn how to effectively handle emotions in communication.

Dandapani’s The Power of Unwavering Focus: Overview

Is focus an innate ability or something you need to learn? What are the benefits of living a more focused life? The Power of Unwavering Focus explores Dandapani’s advice for better focus and the many benefits of a focused life. He also explains how living a focused life brings you a greater sense of purpose and improved work performance. Read below for a brief overview of Dandapani’s The Power of Unwavering Focus.