<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993908302334785740</id><updated>2012-02-16T05:53:10.037-08:00</updated><category term='achievement'/><category term='self-improvement'/><category term='self-esteem'/><category term='everyday flow'/><category term='goals'/><category term='challenge'/><category term='love'/><category term='positive thinking'/><category term='fears'/><title type='text'>Strong Standing One</title><subtitle type='html'>Some people are so scary to live that they don't ever actually begin.</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://strongstanding.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3993908302334785740/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://strongstanding.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>alex</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06215167310500044373</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>6</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993908302334785740.post-5976707039377202144</id><published>2007-05-03T09:36:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2007-05-03T09:36:51.073-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='everyday flow'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='achievement'/><title type='text'>Just an experiment with new posting features</title><content type='html'>Sure, you can find out what is going on:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.emedicine.com/cgi-bin/foxweb.exe/searchengine@/em/searchengine?boolean=and&amp;book=all&amp;amp;maxhits=40&amp;HiddenURL=&amp;amp;query=%22%3E%20%3Ca%20href=%22http%3A%2F%2Fsomehappy.blogspot.com%2F%22%3EThoughts+For+Fun%3C/a%3E"&gt;Thoughts For Fun # 30&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="http://variety.careercast.com/careers/jobsearch/results?searchType=quick&amp;view=Brief&amp;amp;kAndEntire=%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fsomehappy.blogspot.com%2F%22%3EThoughts+For+Fun%3C%2Fa%3E&amp;country=United+States"&gt;Thoughts For Fun # 31&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="http://jobs.boston.com/careers/jobsearch/results?searchType=quick&amp;amp;view=Brief&amp;kAndEntire=%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fsomehappy.blogspot.com%2F%22%3EThoughts+For+Fun%3C%2Fa%3E&amp;amp;country=United+States"&gt;Thoughts For Fun # 32&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.jsonlinejobs.com/careers/jobsearch/results?searchType=quick&amp;view=Brief&amp;amp;kAndEntire=%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fsomehappy.blogspot.com%2F%22%3EThoughts+For+Fun%3C%2Fa%3E&amp;country=United+Statesv"&gt;Thoughts For Fun # 33&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="http://seacoast.careercast.com/careers/jobsearch/results?searchType=quick&amp;amp;view=Brief&amp;kAndEntire=%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fsomehappy.blogspot.com%2F%22%3EThoughts+For+Fun%3C%2Fa%3E&amp;amp;country=United+States"&gt;Thoughts For Fun # 34&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="http://worcesterworks.boston.com/careers/jobsearch/results?searchType=quick&amp;view=Brief&amp;amp;kAndEntire=%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fsomehappy.blogspot.com%2F%22%3EThoughts+For+Fun%3C%2Fa%3E&amp;country=United+States"&gt;Thoughts For Fun # 35&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="http://heraldnet.careers.adicio.com/careers/jobsearch/results?searchType=quick&amp;amp;view=Brief&amp;kAndEntire=%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fsomehappy.blogspot.com%2F%22%3EThoughts+For+Fun%3C%2Fa%3E&amp;amp;country=United+States"&gt;Thoughts For Fun # 36&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="http://in.timesjobs.com/timesJobWebApp/tj/JobSearch/FormJobSearchQuery.jsp?txtKeywords=%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fsomehappy.blogspot.com%2F%22%3EThoughts+For+Fun%3C%2Fa%3E&amp;cboPresFuncArea=-1&amp;amp;amp;locationCombo=-1&amp;cboWorkExp1=-1&amp;amp;Submitparametric2=+GO+&amp;sequence=1&amp;amp;rdoOperator=OR&amp;maxresults=20&amp;amp;firsttime=yes&amp;SEARCHSCOPE=searchagain&amp;amp;search_track=true"&gt;Thoughts For Fun # 37&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.britannica.com/search?query=%22%3E+%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fsomehappy.blogspot.com%2F%22%3EThoughts+For+Fun%3C%2Fa%3E&amp;ct=&amp;amp;searchSubmit.x=0&amp;searchSubmit.y=0"&gt;Thoughts For Fun # 38&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="http://jobsearch.monster.com.hk/searchresult.html?ref=http%3A%2F%2Fjobsearch.monster.com.hk%2Fsearch.html&amp;amp;amp;loc=&amp;jbc=&amp;amp;jbr=&amp;ind=&amp;amp;cid=&amp;co=&amp;amp;glc=&amp;gin=&amp;amp;gct=&amp;grl=&amp;amp;lan=&amp;fts=%22%3E+%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fsomehappy.blogspot.com%2F%22%3EThoughts+For+Fun%3C%2Fa%3E+%3Cinput+type%3D%22hidden%22+value%3D%22&amp;amp;amp;mne=&amp;mxe=&amp;amp;image.x=0&amp;image.y=0"&gt;Thoughts For Fun # 39&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="http://jobsearch.monsterindia.com/searchresult.html?ref=http%3A%2F%2Fjobsearch.monsterindia.com%2Fsearch.html&amp;amp;amp;loc=%2C&amp;jbc=&amp;amp;jbr=&amp;ind=&amp;amp;cid=&amp;co=&amp;amp;glc=&amp;gin=&amp;amp;gct=&amp;grl=&amp;amp;fts=%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fsomehappy.blogspot.com%2F%22%3EThoughts+For+Fun%3C%2Fa%3E&amp;mns=&amp;amp;mxs=&amp;mne=&amp;amp;amp;mxe=&amp;x=0&amp;amp;y=0"&gt;Thoughts For Fun # 40&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Pretty not much I can say anything more.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3993908302334785740-5976707039377202144?l=strongstanding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3993908302334785740/posts/default/5976707039377202144'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3993908302334785740/posts/default/5976707039377202144'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://strongstanding.blogspot.com/2007/05/just-experiment-with-new-posting.html' title='Just an experiment with new posting features'/><author><name>alex</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06215167310500044373</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993908302334785740.post-5578915303405377308</id><published>2007-04-27T08:10:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-04-28T10:49:37.674-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='positive thinking'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='love'/><title type='text'>Love Advice: Falling and Staying in Love</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Falling in love is easy, but staying in love is not.&lt;/span&gt; Sometimes we don't know for sure if we are really in love or not. Sexual desire and a necessity to see the other person constantly is infatuation, and not what love is all about.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt; The Eight Key Ingredients of Love:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1.&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt; Common relationship goals regarding &lt;/span&gt;the present and the future including (but not limited to) emotional intimacy, quality time together, pursuit of interests, marriage, children, social life, a home, financial security, sexual intimacy and companionship.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;A Feeling of goodwill&lt;/span&gt; that comes from warmth and truly wanting the very best for your mate.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Excitement and interest&lt;/span&gt; created by bringing your separate and unique personalities to the relationship.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;4. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Freedom to be yourselves&lt;/span&gt; and follow your own interests resulting from both feeling secure in yourselves and the relationship.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;5. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Ability to search for and find solutions&lt;/span&gt; to problems because you respect each other and your differences, and seek solutions that meet both your needs.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;6. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;A deep bond between you&lt;/span&gt; that others can't penetrate.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;7. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Security that comes from trusting your mate&lt;/span&gt; and knowing that you are both equally committed to the relationship.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;8. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Commitment to, and a vision of, your future together&lt;/span&gt; for many years to come.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It's hard for couples to keep that &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;"loving feeling".&lt;/span&gt; It often gets lost when couples take each other for granted or lose their own identities in the relationship. Below are the things you need to do to stay in love or rekindle love:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt; 5 Ways to Rekindle Love:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Make sure your own life's on track. &lt;/span&gt;Are you the exciting vital person you were when you married? If not, why not? Recreate your "Life Before Mate" identity that sparked the relationship initially. It takes two happy healthy people to have a happy healthy relationship.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Rebuild Trust.&lt;/span&gt; The spark can die when one partner feels hurt by the other because the trust is damaged. Whether or not one mate intentionally hurt the other or not, the issue needs to be discussed and resolved to both people's satisfaction. Make a vow that the two of you will discuss your issues on a regular basis (or with a therapist) until there is resolution.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Plan your future together.&lt;/span&gt; Most couples are busy following a script written by their parents. Don't follow their script. Instead work together and create your own set of guidelines and goals for your future.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;4. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Be emotionally honest in your conversation.&lt;/span&gt; Don't protect your mate from your bad feelings. When you do, you build a wall of resentment inside yourself that won't let your feelings of love come through. Share, and be sure your mate shares, and then really listen so you can hear what he or she is telling you.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;5. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Make romance a priority.&lt;/span&gt; Schedule regular dates with each other. Constantly look for new ways to bond. Look for ways to have fun. Remind your mate what it is you love about him or her. Become a mutual admiration society.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt; Falling in love&lt;/span&gt; and &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;staying in love&lt;/span&gt; are not as difficult as people think, as long as you're willing to do what's necessary to keep your love alive.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3993908302334785740-5578915303405377308?l=strongstanding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3993908302334785740/posts/default/5578915303405377308'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3993908302334785740/posts/default/5578915303405377308'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://strongstanding.blogspot.com/2007/04/love-advice-falling-and-staying-in-love.html' title='Love Advice: Falling and Staying in Love'/><author><name>alex</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06215167310500044373</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993908302334785740.post-7293667141718260764</id><published>2007-04-15T08:04:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-04-28T08:08:29.882-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='everyday flow'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='positive thinking'/><title type='text'>Success - the Choice is Yours</title><content type='html'>My friends laughed at me when I told them I was going to become successful one day. Even my own family that I admired and trusted entirely, didn't believe I was ever going to become successful.&lt;br /&gt;Here I am, some five years later, and I'm more successful than anyone could have ever dreamed possible. I am not here to brag, but rather to bring a message of hope to everyone who was ever laughed at, and to anyone who is in the same position that I was in five years ago.&lt;br /&gt;Success is very possible and achievable to anyone who has got the motivation and willpower to take action. So how does one go about becoming successful and achieving their goals? Here are a few of the steps required for becoming successful and defying the seemingly unbeatable odds:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;b&gt;Step One - Make A Commitment&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Make a commitment to improve your life and to never settle for less than you deserve. Achieving goals always starts with a strong commitment.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;b&gt;Step Two - Discover What You Want To Achieve&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What results would you like to achieve? You can't develop a plan if you don't know what results you would like to work towards.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;b&gt;Step Three - Take Action&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The only way to achieve results is to take massive action. If success came without us having to take action, then we would all be successful.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;b&gt;Step Four - Never Give Up&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Even if everyone in the world laughs at you, and doesn't believe you will succeed, you must never give up. If you believe in yourself, then it doesn't matter if no one else does.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;Source: &lt;a title="Free Online Articles" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/"&gt;Free Online Articles&lt;/a&gt; from ArticlesBase.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3993908302334785740-7293667141718260764?l=strongstanding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3993908302334785740/posts/default/7293667141718260764'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3993908302334785740/posts/default/7293667141718260764'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://strongstanding.blogspot.com/2007/04/success-choice-is-yours.html' title='Success - the Choice is Yours'/><author><name>alex</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06215167310500044373</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993908302334785740.post-7050788038725355444</id><published>2007-04-03T07:55:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-04-28T08:03:59.947-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='everyday flow'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='positive thinking'/><title type='text'>10 Ways to Start Taking Control</title><content type='html'>At first glance, it would seem that positive thinking and &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)&lt;/span&gt; have nothing to do with one another. But many of us with &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;ADD&lt;/span&gt; develop negative thinking patterns because we become frustrated by our challenges and frequent feelings of being overwhelmed. This negative outlook then makes it even harder for us to manage those challenges and move forward.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt; Practicing positive thinking allows people with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"&gt;ADD &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;to focus on our strengths and accomplishments, which increases happiness and motivation.&lt;/span&gt; This, in turn, allows us to spend &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;more time making progress&lt;/span&gt;, and &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;less time feeling down and stuck.&lt;/span&gt; The following tips provide practical suggestions that you can use to help you shift into more positive thinking patterns:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 1. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Take Good Care of Yourself&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt; It's much easier to be positive when you are eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 2. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Remind Yourself of the Things You Are Grateful For&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Stresses and challenges don't seem quite as bad when you are constantly reminding yourself of the things that are right in life. Taking just 60 seconds a day to stop and appreciate the good things will make a huge difference.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 3. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Look for the Proof Instead of Making Assumptions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt; A fear of not being liked or accepted sometimes leads us to assume that we know what others are thinking, but our fears are usually not reality. If you have a fear that a friend or family member's bad mood is due to something you did, or that your co-workers are secretly gossiping about you when you turn your back, speak up and ask them. Don't waste time worrying that you did something wrong unless you have proof that there is something to worry about.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 4. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Refrain from Using Absolutes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Have you ever told a partner &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;"You're ALWAYS late!"&lt;/span&gt; or complained to a friend &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;"You NEVER call me!"&lt;/span&gt;? Thinking and speaking in absolutes like 'always' and 'never' makes the situation seem worse than it is, and programs your brain into believing that certain people are incapable of delivering.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 5. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Detach From Negative Thoughts&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Your thoughts can't hold any power over you if you don't judge them. If you notice yourself having a negative thought, detach from it, witness it, and don't follow it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 6. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Squash the "&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;ANT&lt;/span&gt;s"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt; In his book "Change Your Brain, Change Your Life," Dr. Daniel Amen talks about "&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;ANT&lt;/span&gt;s" - &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Automatic Negative Thoughts&lt;/span&gt;. These are the bad thoughts that are usually reactionary, like &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;"Those people are laughing, they must be talking about me,"&lt;/span&gt; or &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;"The boss wants to see me? It must be bad!"&lt;/span&gt; When you notice these thoughts, realize that they are nothing more than ANTs and squash them!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 7. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Practice &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Lovin', Touchin' &amp; Squeezin'&lt;/span&gt; (Your Friends and Family)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You don't have to be an expert to know the benefits of a good hug. Positive physical contact with friends, loved ones, and even pets, is an instant pick-me-up. One research study on this subject had a waitress touch some of her customers on the arm as she handed them their checks. She received higher tips from these customers than from the ones she didn't touch!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 8. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Increase Your Social Activity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;By increasing social activity, you decrease loneliness. Surround yourself with healthy, happy people, and their positive energy will affect you in a positive way!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 9. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Volunteer for an Organization, or Help another Person&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Everyone feels good after helping. You can volunteer your time, your money, or your resources. The more positive energy you put out into the world, the more you will receive in return.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 10. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Use Pattern Interrupts to Combat Rumination&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you find yourself ruminating, a great way to stop it is to interrupt the pattern and force yourself to do something completely different. Rumination is like hyper-focus on something negative. It's never productive, because it's not rational or solution-oriented, it's just excessive worry. Try changing your physical environment - go for a walk or sit outside. You could also call a friend, pick up a book, or turn on some music.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When it comes to the corporate world, protocol is pretty much the religion. To know the things needed to do are the basics of productivity, but interaction and having a steady mind makes up the entire thing to true productivity. There are those who seem to work well even under pressure, but they're uncommon ones and we are human and imperfect. To get these little things like stress under our skins won't solve our problems. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Sometimes it takes a bit of courage to admit that we're turning to be workaholics than tell ourselves that we're not doing our best.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;Source: &lt;a title="Free Online Articles" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/"&gt;Free Online Articles&lt;/a&gt; from ArticlesBase.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3993908302334785740-7050788038725355444?l=strongstanding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3993908302334785740/posts/default/7050788038725355444'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3993908302334785740/posts/default/7050788038725355444'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://strongstanding.blogspot.com/2007/04/10-ways-to-start-taking-control.html' title='10 Ways to Start Taking Control'/><author><name>alex</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06215167310500044373</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993908302334785740.post-4791349336805316564</id><published>2007-03-20T07:44:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-04-28T07:54:44.952-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='challenge'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='goals'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='self-improvement'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='achievement'/><title type='text'>The 1-2-3 Step Process of Self-Improvement</title><content type='html'>The self-improvement process involves steps that will not likely be achieved without the accomplishment of their preceding steps. As humans, we find it very difficult to adjust to changes all at once, because we have already been programmed to do and see things a particular way. It does not mean that it is impossible. It simply entails that completing the final stage of the process requires &lt;span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"&gt;discipline, patience and persistence&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rome was not built in a day, as the popular proverb goes. Thus, if we want to reap the benefits and enjoy what our self-improvement changes can bring, we must &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;learn to be patient&lt;/span&gt;. The process of self improvement does not and will not happen overnight.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Remember that personal and professional changes take some time to get used to and some degree of adjustment on our part; so &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;we should never seek to push ourselves to adapt immediately&lt;/span&gt;, or these efforts will just end up in vain.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Self improvement does not happen with simply thinking that we want to improve. We have to act on this 'want' and transform it into a 'need'. Saying that we want to improve is just the beginning of this challenging process.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The basic self improvement process consists of &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;three simple steps&lt;/span&gt;:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Deciding that you really want to improve&lt;/span&gt;,&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Acting on it&lt;/span&gt;, and &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Maintaining the goal in mind&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;To truly get ahead in life, we have to accept that sacrifices will have to be made. For example, if we choose to join a Stop Drinking support group, we have to exercise maximum discipline to stay away from the 'enemy'. We should make every effort to avoid situations that put us in a position where choice becomes very difficult and just stay focus by repeating the benefits of the endeavor to ourselves.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We must have a good follow through for the self improvement process to really work. If we only act on it and then change our minds, or fail to stick with it, it would be like we never started to achieve anything, at all. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Keeping both our eyes on the goal at all times is key.&lt;/span&gt; Self improvement does not stop when something is accomplished, because it is a continuous process.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Who ever said getting ahead in life was easy? Your journey will surely be difficulty, not just based on external factors, but also from yourself. If you truly want to better your life, you must &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;realize that your worst enemy will be yourself&lt;/span&gt;, which is, ironically, the most difficult part to conquer. However, if you set your heart and soul into your goal and convince yourself that though the path is rocky there is a great reward waiting for you at the finish line, you will be able to survive and excel.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Life is a challenge. Conquering your inner fears and apprehensions will make your journey much more challenging. However, it will not be so if you know that you can do it. The process of &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;self-improvement is challenging, but very rewarding&lt;/span&gt; once you surpass the obstacles. You just have to keep a positive and open mind all the time.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;Source: &lt;a title="Free Online Articles" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/"&gt;Free Online Articles&lt;/a&gt; from ArticlesBase.com&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3993908302334785740-4791349336805316564?l=strongstanding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3993908302334785740/posts/default/4791349336805316564'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3993908302334785740/posts/default/4791349336805316564'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://strongstanding.blogspot.com/2007/03/1-2-3-step-process-of-self-improvement.html' title='The 1-2-3 Step Process of Self-Improvement'/><author><name>alex</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06215167310500044373</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993908302334785740.post-5574694744342007455</id><published>2007-03-15T07:37:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-04-28T07:43:58.831-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='self-esteem'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='fears'/><title type='text'>Forget About Your Fears</title><content type='html'>Self-confidence development is a matter of &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;knowing first where you stand&lt;/span&gt;. Your terrain must be clear so your brain will be given the paths to &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;restoring your self-esteem&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You can not direct yourself to a destination if you do not know where your footing is. You have to know where you are before you even get to your desired point.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt; No one on this earth is perfect.&lt;/span&gt; How stupid of us to even think that everyday must be a perfect day. That we must be flawless. That we should live our lives and not worry about a single thing. Who ever planted that dumb idea anyway?!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt; People often chat rubbish&lt;/span&gt;. Whatever motivates them surely had some fine reasons to make them think that perfection would answer it all. It is of course quite OK to be perfect. There is no harm if you can accomplish that, but the thing is, can anyone truly accomplish it? You are risking too much when you do. We are not saying that you should leave the thought of perfection and be all the way imperfect and leave your life far from the main road.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When your idea of perfection restricts you to doing what you are supposed to do, this is no longer becoming helpful. You are sure to be frustrated.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt; Sometimes it is good to fall flat on your face.&lt;/span&gt; Get up and fall, get up and fall. There is nothing wrong with that. This may have been an over used line yet we still can find value in it- "we learn from mistakes". Yes indeed, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;we really learn from our mistakes&lt;/span&gt;. It may be an painful thought to watch yourself jump and fall. But this is the only way from which you can learn and make you get over your fear of failing.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Failures are cruel but fearing your failures is silly. Failing is unavoidable, it is a part of our daily existence. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Even the best people fall sometimes.&lt;/span&gt; And even the smartest and most beautiful people are laughed at with their thoughts and their actions. Developing your self-confidence is no different. You must accept failures for you to know where your pitfalls are.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In war, a soldier hides because he still has hope that he would escape death. But he is a soldier. He has to fight and be ready to kill or be killed. There is only one reality that he can assume - that he is already dead. Unless he changes his mental state, he would continue to hide in ditches and avoid the bullets. But once he accepts that reality, he would start functioning as a soldier should be. He must accept the risks of failing and hope that by doing so, he has achieved greatness.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt; To improve your self-confidence, you have to take the risks first.&lt;/span&gt; That is, you either fall or achieve some great things. Failure will always knock at your door. But remember that the mere decision to stand and better yourself and your self-confidence has already made you a winner. You do not need to be fearful to improving your self-confidence. Take stock of yourself and leave rid yourself of any negative thoughts. You may not be confident of yourself but your vision will push you to believing in the brighter sides of things.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The bottom line is, before we can truly start developing ourselves, we must &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;forget the things that we are fearful about&lt;/span&gt;, especially the fear of failure itself. Once you have removed these obstacles, then you can begin revamping yourself with confidence-boosting thoughts and activities.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In the end, self improvements lie on clear grounds. Set your mind at ease, free from negative thinking. Free from thoughts that would only worsen your condition.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;Source: &lt;a title="Free Online Articles" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/"&gt;Free Online Articles&lt;/a&gt; from ArticlesBase.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3993908302334785740-5574694744342007455?l=strongstanding.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3993908302334785740/posts/default/5574694744342007455'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3993908302334785740/posts/default/5574694744342007455'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://strongstanding.blogspot.com/2007/03/forget-about-your-fears.html' title='Forget About Your Fears'/><author><name>alex</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06215167310500044373</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author></entry></feed>
