Countless volumes, courses, and therapy sessions are based on the principles of living a happier life. I’m going to attempt to capsulize some of those key concepts in 500 words! For the past 45 years, I’ve devoted a lot of thought to developing my own potential and cultivating positive thoughts. I don’t have any training as a therapist or psychologist — only life experience and a strong desire to bring out the best in myself and others. Flood Your Mind with Positivity One resource I’ve found to be quite helpful (believe it or not) is Instagram. I scroll through my feed a couple times a day to ..read more

One of the many challenges of being a human being (in this crazy, kooky world of ours) is that, although, we’re born with a tremendous amount of potential, we’re pretty much left to our own devices when it comes to figuring out how to discover and use that potential. Since it’s typically not taught in school or at home, we have to figure it out on our own. Even though we’re not issued a written life-manual or assigned a personal mentor at an early age, the information and inspiration we need IS readily available in a variety of forms. We just have to have the awareness and receptivity to be a ..read more

Adopting a “growth mindset” is the first step to improving your life and experiencing more happiness and success. Unfortunately, there is not a “one size fits all” approach to accomplishing any of this, so we’re all pretty much on our own, when it comes to navigating the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune”. However… we can absolutely get inspiration, guidance, encouragement, and useful tips from a multitude of sources, including books, websites, seminars, motivational videos, blogs, life coaches, seminars, keynote speakers, therapists, mentors, and — on a case-by-case basis — social med ..read more

instagram.com/anntarazevich A simple, but powerful concept is the fact that we are all creatures of habit — a truth that can be used both to your benefit and detriment. As you focus on your personal development and growth potential, here are some ideas worth dwelling on: Your thoughts are the cornerstones of positive change in your life. When you upgrade your thoughts, you set off a chain of events that impacts your behavior, attitudes, actions, and results. (Insight: One method of constructively changing your thoughts is through repetition. That can be done in the form of positive affirmation ..read more

Image by Ben Kerckx from Pixabay  I don’t know how many self-improvement jokes there are out there, but here’s one that is not only funny, but it’s also relevant. [My apologies if you’ve already heard it!] QUESTION: How many psychologists does it take to unscrew a lightbulb? ANSWER: Only one, but the lightbulb has to really want to change. As is the case with a lot of jokes, there is a grain of truth in the punchline. Admittedly, change can be a difficult thing to accomplish, which is why the majority of New Year’s resolutions fall by the wayside after a few weeks. Changing ..read more

Image by Merry Christmas  from Pixabay  I think at some level, everyone recognizes the importance of self esteem in their attitude toward life, but dismisses it as a form of self centeredness. This may very well be the number one barrier to being a fully actualized, joyful, fulfilled human being. I’m not saying it’s a good idea to be conceited, arrogant, or self absorbed; those are all bad, potentially toxic characteristics. I’m just saying that the world would be a better place if more people felt good about themselves and could redirect their attention toward their own in ..read more

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay  I would describe myself as a “self improvement junkie,” which can be viewed in both a positive and negative light. On one hand, it’s beneficial to expose yourself to as much positive, constructive ideas as possible. Since we are all susceptible to the power of suggestion, it logically follows that we are going to be influenced by the information, points of view, and philosophies that filter through our minds, every day. With the year 2021 just around the corner (thank God!), I’m tempted to compare the practice of positive thinking to the ..read more

Image by Maciej Cieslak from Pixabay  One of the biggest barriers to achievement, happiness, and goal attainment is a lack of mental focus. People who don’t instill a degree of self-discipline in their lives, eventually become distracted, discouraged, and demotivated. I’m not one of those people who believe that the path to success involves working 80 hours a week, continually burning your candle at both ends, and sacrificing your health, relationships, and peace of mind for financial and material success. You don’t have to “sell your soul” in order to have a beautiful home ..read more

Image by NRThaele from Pixabay There are two concepts that I learned from Dr. Wayne Dyer, which help me create a positive mental attitude every time I think of them. If I had to pick just two life-changing ideas to pass along to anyone on a self-discovery journey, I’d choose these two quotes: “You don’t get what you want, you get what you ARE!” “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change!” In other words, your thoughts, your values, your attitudes, and your intentions have a direct bearing on your happiness, your level of success (as YOU define it), and the peopl ..read more

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay No matter what you want in life, here are four steps that comprise the formula for achieving your goals: Establish goals. That usually requires reflecting on what you personally need to be happier, healthier, energized, and more fulfilled. Clarify your goals. Writing down your goals, your personal values, and your priorities in a journal can be an effective technique for defining your path in life and beginning the process of realizing your potential. Reinforce positive intentions: Provide yourself with reminders, ever day, about personal qualities you want ..read more