Categories
Choice consciousness Growth Joy Perspective

5 Practices on the Path to Peace: Inspired by ‘Stillness is the Key’ by Ryan Holiday

Path to PeaceIt’s probably not the best idea to be promoting other people’s books when you have recently released your own book (The Successful Mind), but since my number 1 thing in life is to share the best of what I learn on my journey, we will be looking at some great ideas Ryan Holiday shares in his great book – Stillness is the Key.

His book has plenty of ideas, but I’ve picked five of them that resonate with my teachings and are totally doable, practical and have a great return on investment.

He talks about stillness being the key, and draws on the philosophical teachings of Stoicism, plus a number of Eastern systems and practices. And for me, deeper (inner) stillness is one of the pathways and essential elements to experiencing more peace in your life.

Actually here is a (big) question for you. Would you prefer a million dollars or the guarantee of a deep sense of peace for the foreseeable future?

Think on that. Do you want deep peace or the cash?!?!
And if you chose the money (which is ok), ask yourself this question: “What do I think the money will make me feel?” and “What do I want to feel?”

For me, peace is a beautiful goal to be working towards.
So let’s look at these ‘stillness’ practices.

Categories
Acceptance consciousness Emotional Growth Perspective

The Profound Lesson I Learned from A Balinese Rooster & A Dog

learnAre you curious yet?

Life lessons from a Balinese rooster and a dog…

I am not sure exactly how much of a roosters head is filled with brain matter, but I am guessing it is not that much. So how could a rooster teach me such a profound lesson?

I guess you are going to have to read on to find out…

Categories
Choice Growth Life Lessons Perspective Relationship

The Big 5-0. 5 Things I Am More Clear About as A Result of Turning 50

50I recently had the joy of turning 50. For those of you that have not yet made it, you might find something of value in my musings and for those that have already stepped beyond their 50th birthday, maybe you will find something to reflect on here – or have the chance the relive that magical moment.

Do I feel different?
Nope.Do I think it is funny that I am now a 50 year old?
Absolutely!Do I think people will think I am wiser now I am 50?
I hope so (he he he).

Now enough of me asking and answering my silly questions, let’s get on with the 5 lessons that might actually be useful for YOU. Here goes!!

Categories
Choice Perspective Stress

Procrastination…The 3 Principle Causes and The Respective Antidotes

ProcrastinationWhenever I am getting ready to coach a new client I sent them a questionnaire to complete with a bazillion questions on it, and one of the questions is asking them their ‘worst habits’.

Invariably (from every 2nd or 3rd person) I will get this…”I procrastinate”, or even worse…”I AM a procrastinator”.
If you have followed any of my work in my books and workshops you know I am much more a fan of the not-kind-to-self statements that don’t have an “I AM” out the front.So this post is definitely for the people who DO procrastination; and for that those have bought into the mistaken belief that they ARE a procrastinator, don’t worry because the insights and tools to untangle that story are relevant for you too.

And so we begin.

Categories
Belief Emotional Growth Perspective Success

This Simple Strategy Can Change Your Emotions, Opportunities, Creativity and Results

This Simple StrategyYou know I am a big fan of simple and practical strategies that make a real difference, right now, in peoples lives (including the life of myself).

This technique is very simple to do…which also means it is very simple NOT TO DO.
So you need to set the intention right now, that you will trial it for the rest of the day and for a period of at least 48hrs.

Are you ready to commit to that?

Categories
Belief Growth Perspective Success

5 Things That Successful People Don’t Do

5 Things That Successful People Don't DoI imagine that you mostly agree with the statement that what we DO and DON’T do have a huge impact on the results we get in life. I have spent the last 20 years on a search for the DO’s and DON’Ts when it comes to increasing our happiness, health and success.

So today I am going to focus on what the successful people (the happy, healthy and fulfilled people) DON’T make a habit of doing.

Are you ready, because here we go…

Categories
Choice consciousness Goal Setting Tips Growth Perspective Success

Do You Have The Right Fuel Driving You?

fuelHave you heard me say before that ‘motivation is the fuel that you need to keep on feeding’? I tell my clients that with motivation it is like needing to keep kicking your own arse. It can get stuff done, but it is not the most effective source of fuel in my opinion.

So when I hear people say they lack motivation, or want more motivation, or they are looking for the way to increase their motivation, I like to suggest a different approach.

One that I will share with you very shortly.
But first we will need to talk about six basic human needs, plus what my favourite neuroscientist has to say, and then we will dip into 1000’s of years of ancient wisdom.

Are you ready?!?!

Categories
Choice Fear Feeling Perspective Physical Activity

6 Pieces of Wisdom to Take Into 2019

wisdomBefore I step over the line and move into a new year or a new chapter, I thought I would look back over the last 49 years and see what are the 6 best things pieces of wisdom I would take with me into 2019.

This was a powerful question I asked myself:”If I could only take 6 pieces of wisdom (or strategies) with me into 2019 what would they be?”

Tough question! But I will give it a shot.
Here goes…

Categories
Choice consciousness Perspective Rest Success

Sustainability, Hamster Wheels, and Eating Cake

sustainabilityAs usual I like to write about the things that are most relevant or most common with the different clients I have been working with over the last few weeks.

The theme that has been most common is how to have a work / life balance, but more importantly, how they can sustain a joyful life over the long term.

It seems that everyone is in a rush. Sound familiar?

And it seems that the rushing thing is not sustainable if you actually want to enjoy your life at the same time as creating something great, or doing great or becoming great; and not fall over in a heap of fatigue, illness or burn out.

Hands up if you would actually like to enjoy this life thing more?

If you are in a rush, I am guessing that the enJOYment factor is not even close to the 10 out of 10 possibility. You are probably barely even getting a pass at 5 out of 10 on a daily basis. That sort of sucks a bit.

Categories
Choice consciousness Perspective

5 Smart Ways to be Even Smarter than Your Smartphone (MORE Productive & LESS Stressed)

social mediaI am so grateful I am ‘old’. Really.
And before the ‘old’ thing starts growing its own story, I mean ‘old’ in the sense of being 48 years old (not 108 years old!). I still feel I am well and truly in the glory years of my life.
But when it comes to mobile phones, I am decades older than them. Below is the first ‘mobile’ phone we had in our office, while I was in the army in the early 90’s. I think calling it ‘mobile’ meant it was only mobile if you had a car to carry it in.
Anyway, the round-about point I was trying to make is I am glad I grew up in a time where there was a ‘before mobile phone’ period where we learned other ways to amuse ourselves, other ways to communicate and other ways to organize meet-ups with fellow backpackers when traveling the globe.
We would actually have plans like this: “Let’s meet up on the number 1 platform at the Prague main train station, on the 25th of June, between 10am and 1pm. If you don’t make it on that day, we will meet between 10am and 1pm on the 26th. If we still don’t meet up, then I will see you when I do.”