The document provides tips for strengthening family bonds through simple daily routines. It recommends finding short activities to do together each day, like singing before bed or telling jokes at dinner. Eating breakfast as a family and writing notes for lunch boxes are also suggested routines. The document states that these small rituals can help families connect on a daily basis and create lasting memories.

1. Just Love Yourself
A series of articles to create a better you.

2. Ways to a better you
1
“Nothing is impossible, if
you really want it”

3. 6 Easy Routines to Help Your
Family Bond
2
6 Easy Routines to Help Your Family Bond
Your family can strengthen its bond and grow closer by
following simple routines. These activities are easy to
incorporate into your family life and can be adjusted to
fit your needs.
Routines and rituals like these can help your family
connect on a daily basis:
1. Find simple things to do together that don’t take
much time. It’s not easy to find time to spend
together as a family, but you can create routines that
help. Look at your schedule and find a short time to
add simple rituals to the day when you’re together.
• For example, you could pray or sing a song together
b e f o r e b e d .
• Maybe your family would enjoy jokes during dinner.
2. Eat breakfast together. The morning can be a hectic
time for families as everyone tries to get ready for
school or work. However, breakfast is an easy
opportunity to eat together.
• It may be tempting to let everyone grab a quick
meal or drink and rush out of the house in the
morning. However, you’re missing the chance to
spend time together as a family and create a simple
routine.
• Breakfast doesn’t have to be complicated, so you
can prepare easy items such as bagels or cereal. By
having these items ready before your family wakes
up, you can encourage them to eat together. You
may have to adjust the family’s schedule for this
routine, but you’ll be creating memories.
3. Make lunch box notes. Simple rituals such as lunch
box notes for every member of the family can help you
bond.
• Children and adults alike can benefit from the
sweet notes in their lunches. Use small note cards
or sticky notes and write an encouraging message.
You can also draw pictures or include jokes.
• Lunch box notes can become a family tradition that
lasts for years.
4. Create a secret family handshake. Make up a special
handshake that only you and your family uses. You’ll
make another connection with your loved one each time
y o u u s e i t .
5. Make movie night special. Replicate the feeling of
being in a movie theater by getting popcorn, candy,
and turning off the lights. You can even grab a
flashlight and use it to find your way during
intermission, or rearrange the furniture and add chairs
f o r a m o v i e t h e a t e r e x p e r i e n c e .
• Rotate who picks the movie every week. This gives
both the adults and children the chance to watch
their favorites. Ensure that each movie is
appropriate for the entire family by setting a few
guidelines on choosing the movie.
6. Create a pizza and game night. You may enjoy taking
a break from the stove, and the children will
appreciate the chance to eat pizza.
• Pizza and game night can be a fun way to bring your
entire family together. You can do this ritual once a
week or once a month. Adjust the frequency to fit
your schedule.
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4. • Games are a simple way to reconnect with your
loved ones, and they can fill an entire evening
with laughter.
Help your family bond by creating simple routines and
rituals. These routines can quickly become family
traditions and create cherished memories that last a
lifetime.
3

5. 8 Ways to Keep Your Mind in
Shape
3
8 Ways to Keep Your Mind in Shape
A lot of us are concerned with the size of our biceps or
the girth of our waist. Having a fit body is important.
However, keeping your mind in shape is critical to
enjoying your life at the highest level. Give your brain
the attention it deserves!
Keep your mind healthy, active, and in shape with
these strategies:
1. Exercise regularly. Roughly 30% of your brain’s
volume is composed of blood vessels. It’s important to
keep your blood moving! Exercise will get your blood
flowing and help to control your blood sugar. High
blood sugar is harmful to blood vessels. That’s why so
many diabetics die of heart disease or stroke at a
r e l a t i v e l y y o u n g a g e .
2. Read each day. Reading requires a lot of your brain.
It’s not easy to transform symbols into words and
meaning. Spend some time each day with a book
that makes you think. You might learn something
useful, too.
• Avoid reading the same types of books on a regular
basis. Read well-written articles. Read the classics.
Try a new science fiction novel. How about a book
on theoretical physics? Reading the sports page
every day doesn’t count. The same goes for
romance novels by your favorite author. Mix it up.
3. Eat well. A healthy diet will help preserve your brain
function. Do a little research on the best diet for
longevity and attempt to make a few changes to your
eating habits. A few, small changes each month will go
a long way toward keeping your brain healthy.
4. Meditate. Meditation is powerful for several reasons.
You’ll learn to focus like a Tibetan monk. You’ll also
learn how to relax. Both are wonderful for your
brain. Meditation is hard work. It’s like a decathlon
for your mind.
• Find a good teacher in your area and meditate in a
group. You’ll make some new friends, too.
5. Challenge yourself. Learn something new. Learning to
paint, speak a new language, or dance are a few great
examples. Learning something new forces your brain
to create new neural pathways. Your brain’s ability to
change is referred to as its “elasticity.”
• This can be very challenging at first. If you’ve been
living the same day repeatedly for several years,
learning something new is similar to going jogging
for the first time. It’s painful, and you don’t get
too far. Be patient and give your brain a chance to
w a k e u p .
6. Do something that requires a lot of brainpower. It
might be solving cryptograms or writing a computer
program. Take a multivariate calculus class. Study
c h e s s . P u s h y o u r b r a i n t o t h e m a x i m u m .
7. Remember the past. As we grow older, it’s more
challenging to remember facts from the past. When
you can’t remember something, avoid giving up. Take
all the time you need to remember. You might finally
remember the name of your high-school English
teacher while you’re mowing the grass. Keep at it.
8. Get out and socialize. Spending too much time alone
has been shown to increase the likelihood of developing
dementia. Have an active social life and spend more
time with others. You’ll enjoy your life more, too.
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6. There are many benefits to keeping your mind in tip-top
condition. You’ll enjoy better mental health and preserve
your mental faculties longer. Keeping your mind healthy
requires attention. Challenge yourself to learn new
information and skills. Your brain is highly elastic. Give it
a chance to use that ability.
5

7. Add Fun to Your Life by Harnessing the Joy
of Anticipation
Add Fun to Your Life by Harnessing the Joy of
Anticipation
The happiest moments of your vacation may take place
before you board your plane. Studies show that looking
forward to a vacation is often more pleasurable than
the time you spend away. After all, you can dream about
sunbathing on tropical beaches instead of dealing with
crowded airports and squabbling kids.
While the benefits of anticipation come naturally, you can
also train yourself to make the most of your high hopes.
Look forward to checking out this guide to anticipation.
How to Heighten Anticipation
Create more opportunities to experience happiness.
Anticipation intensifies and extends the joy of any
special occasion or daily treat.
Try these strategies:
1. Be specific. Drawing vivid mental pictures boosts your
enthusiasm. Rehearse what you're going to say when
your boss announces your promotion. Research art
museums and gourmet restaurants at your travel
d e s t i n a t i o n s .
2. Tune in to your feelings. Anticipation depends on
generating current emotions about future events. Try
to put your feelings into words. Feel free to smile,
d a n c e , a n d j u m p u p a n d d o w n .
3. Demonstrate perseverance. It can be difficult to
maintain your motivation when you're working on
long-term goals like completing a college degree or
establishing a small business. Envisioning your future
helps you to stay the course because you sample a
l i t t l e o f y o u r s u c c e s s r i g h t n o w .
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8. 4. Work on your timing. Find inspiration in short term
benchmarks. While you're waiting to sign a book deal,
picture yourself writing a column for your local
n e w s p a p e r .
5. Share the thrills. One of the most effective
methods for leveraging your anticipation is
collaborating with others. Split a workspace with
other entrepreneurs who are trying to get their ideas
off the ground. Take dance lessons with your best
f r i e n d .
6. Enjoy your memories. Reminiscing completes the
process. While it may be less potent than anticipation,
nostalgia also contributes to feeling good.
7. Revise your to-do list. Of course, you need events
you can look forward to if you want to practice
anticipation. Ensure your schedule includes fun and
e n t e r t a i n m e n t a s w e l l a s w o r k .
How to Manage Anticipation
Anticipation is such a powerful force that it’s important
to handle it with care.
Learn to savor the excitement without giving in to the
potential drawbacks:
8. Apply effort. Making your dreams come true
requires concrete action as well as imagination.
While you're planning for your dream home, start
s a v i n g f o r a d o w n p a y m e n t .
9. Live in the present. Pay attention to the here and
now while you're keeping an eye on your future. Take
satisfaction in the journey as well as the results.
10. Keep minor issues in perspective. Reality sometimes
falls short of our expectations. You can relish your
new job offer even if it comes with a slightly longer
c o m m u t e .
11. Treat yourself with compassion. What about job
interviews when you're unemployed or dating when
you're nursing a broken heart. Sometimes you need to
be gentle with yourself and practice restraint so you
won't feel let down when times are tough.
12. Make contingency plans. At the same time, being
flexible and focusing on solutions can help you to
indulge your dreams even if your bank account is low.
If one option doesn't pan out, you'll have a stockpile of
a l t e r n a t i v e s t o w o r k w i t h .
13. Soothe your anxiety. In some ways, coping with
anxiety is like practicing anticipation in reverse. Your
future will probably be a mixed bag, so it's just as
realistic to emphasize the positive aspects instead
of speculating about what could go wrong.
Even if you have more than a few grey hairs, you can feel
like a kid waiting for Christmas all year round. Discover
the joy of anticipation. You’ll be glad you did!
7

9. Eliminate Your Fear of Failure and
Soar to Greater Success
4
Eliminate Your Fear of Failure and Soar to Greater
Success
Fear of failure can alter every choice we make. This fear
can be helpful. Some of us are able to use the fear of
failure as motivation to do our best work. However, most
of us are influenced by this fear in a negative way. We
often change our plans altogether and find an alternative
that feels safer. This is a sure way to limit your results
and experience feelings of regret.
Put the fear of failure behind you:
1. Understand that failure is part of the process.
You’re very lucky if you figure out the right way to do
something with your first effort. Short-term failure is
much more common. Anytime you want to accomplish
something significant, you can expect failures to be
part of the process. Keep improving your process
u n t i l y o u ’ r e s u c c e s s f u l .
2. Realize that failure is only a temporary condition. A
single failure isn’t a permanent condition. Failure is like
a rainy day. Sunny days always show up again.
3. Find something meaningful. With enough motivation,
fear isn’t an issue. For example, if you’re feeling overly
bashful at work, maybe you aren’t working in the right
field or with the right company for you. When you
have enough passion for something, fear is much easier
t o o v e r c o m e .
4. Failure isn’t personal. Failing only means that your
approach wasn’t the best option. It doesn’t say
anything about you as a person. Even the most
talented people deal with failure on a regular basis.
A wrong choice isn’t indicative of a fatal flaw.
5. Stay present. You can’t worry if your mind isn’t living
in the future. It’s only when you project a negative
outcome that you become anxious. Reality is happening
right now. The future is only a daydream. If you’re
going to think about the future, imagine success. At
this very second, you’re okay. You’ll be okay in the next
s e c o n d , t o o .
6. Learn to enjoy fear. If your life isn’t in danger, being
afraid is a sign that you’re doing something new. Only
new behaviors will change your life. No one wants to
live the same day repeatedly. That uncomfortable
feeling is a sign that something amazing might happen.
7. Minimize fear by taking action. The people that are
most afraid tend to be the most paralyzed, but they
didn’t start out that way. You weren’t born afraid of
the things that you fear today. But by giving in to
fear, you teach your brain that fear is an effective
way to control your behavior. It will continue
ratcheting up the fear because it knows it works.
• Ignoring fear and taking action has the opposite
effect. You can teach yourself that fear doesn’t
impact your behavior. In time, the amount of fear
y o u f e e l w i l l d e c r e a s e .
8. Look ahead. If you continue to allow fear to dictate
your behavior, what will your life look like in 20 years?
How would your life be different if fear didn’t control
your actions? Would you rather be a little
uncomfortable now or be filled with regret for the
r e s t o f y o u r l i f e ?
9. View failure as an opportunity to learn. Failure
might provide a small sting, but the information you
gain is invaluable. A few, small improvements are often
enough to turn a failure into a success. Look for the
lesson and apply it to your next attempt.
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10. Has the fear of failure had a negative impact on your
life? Dealing with the fear of failure is something
everyone faces. Avoid allowing fear to dictate and limit
your life. Remember that the fear is self-created. You
can choose to have an attitude that supports your
success.
9

11. 7 Essential Preventive Health
Screenings
5
7 Essential Preventive Health Screenings
Preventive screenings are an easy way to test for a
variety of illnesses. They can help you catch a disease in
the early stages while it’s easier to cure, or provide peace
of mind.
Preventive health screenings are available from your
doctor, so you may want to discuss them.
Consider getting these screenings on a regular basis:
1. General physical exams. General exams give you the
chance to talk about your health with your doctor
without the distraction of being sick. You may want to
have a general physical exam once a year or more
often.
• You can also do tests for various illnesses and
discuss your risk factors.
2. Diabetes screening. Your doctor may recommend a
different schedule, but a regular screening schedule
for diabetes is at least once every three years.
• If you have risk factors for diabetes such as being
overweight or a family history, then you may want
to get screenings more often. A blood glucose test
is one of the most popular ways to screen for this
disease.
• Your doctor can test your blood sugar levels and
see early signs of diabetes.
• By catching the disease in its early stages, you
may be able to reduce the amount of medication
you need or control the illness with diet and
exercise.
3. Blood pressure screening. It’s a simple test, but your
doctor’s office has more accurate equipment than your
local pharmacy.
• Health experts recommend having your blood
pressure tested at least every two years. If you’re
at a high risk of developing hypertension, then you
may want to get the screening test more
frequently.
4. Cholesterol screening. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults
have this test at least once every five years.
• If you have several risk factors such as obesity and
smoking, then you may want to start these
screenings at the age of 20. If you don’t have high
risk factors, then you can wait and start at the age
of 35.
5. Skin cancer screenings. Your doctor may have
individual guidelines for you to follow, but you may
want to discuss skin cancer at least once a year.
• If you have a history of tanning or suspicious moles
on your body, then you may need to get tested
more often. Your lifestyle and risk factors will
determine how often you need to get the
screening.
• You can also check your skin at home once a month
to track mole changes or other skin irregularities.
6. Hearing screening. It’s wise to get a hearing test once
every five or ten years. If you have other risk factors
or notice a change in your hearing, then get your
hearing checked more frequently.
10

12. • If you’re over the age of 50, then health
experts recommend getting your hearing checked
every three years.
7. Bone mineral density screening. Experts recommend
that women over the age of 65 get this test. However,
men may also want to consider it.
• Osteoporosis can affect both men and women. In
addition, the symptoms of osteoporosis may not be
noticeable until you break one of your bones. It’s
important to have this screening test done at least
once and discuss the results with your doctor.
• Your physician may recommend a more frequent
screening schedule for osteoporosis.
Preventive screenings can help you stay proactive about
your health. They can be a routine part of your doctor’s
visits and help keep you healthy.
11

13. 8 Thought Patterns That Cloud Your
Judgment
8 Thought Patterns That Cloud Your Judgment
Our thoughts impact our actions, and ultimately, the level
of success we achieve. Our thought patterns influence
our emotions and perspective of the world. If you can
identify your unhelpful thought patterns, you can correct
them and develop new ways of managing yourself and the
world.
Your thought patterns influence multiple aspects of
your life:
1. Making assumptions. Good decisions require
information. Too many of us jump to false conclusions
because we don’t have all the facts. Before you reach a
negative conclusion about a situation or person, delay
your judgment. Gather all the available information and
make an informed decision.
• How many times have you made a decision too
quickly and regretted it? Give yourself the chance
to be right.
2. Applying the past to the future. The most beautiful
girl in high school might have ignored you, but that has
nothing to do with your ability to appeal to the woman
of your dreams today. The past doesn’t have to equal
the future.
• We’re too quick to believe we’re experts regarding
our abilities. One failure isn’t enough to prove
anything. Pharmaceutical companies aren’t allowed
to test a drug on just one person and then release
it to the public. Many attempts are required to
prove that results aren’t due to random chance.
• Would you believe that a flipped coin would only
land on “heads” in the future after flipping it once
12

14. o r t w i c e a n d g e t t i n g t h a t r e s u l t ?
• Even if you lack natural skill in one area, you can
always learn. You weren’t born knowing how to walk
or do algebra. You can learn to be a great public
speaker, salesperson, or social butterfly, too.
3. Focusing too much on the positive or the negative.
Strive to be accurate. Consider when you start dating
someone new. At first, you’re too focused on their
positive traits. As the relationship is failing, you’re too
focused on the negative. Neither is accurate.
4. Giving things too much or too little relevance. Do
you give your failures too much attention? Do you give
your successes too little? Have a balanced view. Just
because your boss ignored your morning greeting
doesn’t mean you’re about to be fired. Give yourself
t h e c r e d i t y o u d e s e r v e .
5. Taking something personally that has nothing to do
with you. People do and say things for many reasons
that don’t include you. They might be having a bad day
or dealing with a personal issue. Your car breaking
down doesn’t mean the universe is out to get you.
Others have more on their mind than just you.
6. Focusing on the past. The past can provide lessons.
However, most people don’t use the past
constructively. They focus on the missed opportunities
and mistakes. When used this way, the past creates
feelings of regret. Let go of the past and avoid
a l l o w i n g i t t o c l o u d y o u r f u t u r e .
7. Focusing on the future. Having goals and plans is
great! But it’s common to use the future as a source of
worry. Stay focused on today. Today is the only time
you can change your life. Allow the future to arrive.
I t w i l l c o m e s o o n e n o u g h .
8. Putting things off. Is it easier to have your muffler
replaced when you notice it’s deteriorating or to wait
until it falls off in the middle of the highway? If you
wait until you’re forced to deal with things, your
solutions will be less elegant and less convenient. Do
things on your time.
Do indulge in any of these negative thought patterns?
Noticing your tendencies is the first step to changing
them. When you catch yourself thinking in a way that
clouds your judgement, replace your thought pattern with
one that serves you well.
13

15. Are These Items Causing Your
Fatigue
6
Are These Items Causing Your Fatigue?
Fatigue can make you feel unable to handle the simplest
task. However, you can identify the cause and treat it.
Instead of reaching for another source of caffeine,
consider finding the root cause of your weariness.
Fatigue doesn’t have to ruin your life, and you can
fight it.
These issues might be causing you to feel tired:
1. Dehydration. You may be feeling sluggish because
you’re not hydrated.
• Instead of coffee or energy drinks, try water
first. Water will hydrate your body and increase
your energy levels. It’s an easy and quick way to
treat fatigue.
2. Skipping breakfast. If you skip breakfast, then you’re
at a higher risk of fatigue.
• Breakfast helps you get the fuel you need for the
rest of the day. It’s important not to skip it
because it can leave you tired.
• A good breakfast will have a mixture of proteins,
carbohydrates, and healthy fats. One way you can
fight fatigue is to eat nutrient dense food that will
help you feel full longer. Try oatmeal with
blueberries on top and bacon on the side.
3. Low iron levels. If your iron levels are too low, you will
feel tired. Anemia is characterized by feelings of
sluggishness and fatigue. Talk to your doctor about
your fatigue and get your iron levels tested.
• If you’re lacking iron, eat plenty of iron-rich food.
Meat isn’t the only source of iron. You can also find
this important nutrient in eggs, nuts, green leafy
vegetables, and kidney beans.
• It’s important to consume vitamin C with your
iron. They work together in the body, so you want
to make sure you’re getting both.
4. High amounts of sugar and junk food. These items
raise your blood sugar levels and then make them drop,
causing you to feel tired.
• Fatigue is a common issue associated with blood
sugar spikes and falls during the day.
• You can fight this type of fatigue by avoiding
simple carbohydrates and high amounts of sugar.
• You can also eat foods that are higher in protein to
help you feel full for a longer time, so you don’t feel
the need to snack on junk food. Items such as
meat, brown rice, sweet potatoes, peanut butter
and more can help you control these spikes.
5. Caffeine addiction. An addiction to coffee, energy
drinks, and other sources of caffeine can make you
feel tired.
• High amounts of caffeine can affect your sleep and
waking cycles. If you’re not able to sleep, then your
next morning will likely be filled with fatigue.
Drinking more caffeine simply makes the
c o n d i t i o n w o r s e .
• Try to cut down on your caffeine intake.
6. Glare of technology. The light created by your
Smartphone, tablet, computer, or other device can
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16. affect melatonin levels in your body. This makes it
more difficult for you to fall asleep and stay asleep,
and you’re tired the next day.
• The solution is to avoid using these devices for a
few hours before you go to bed.
Fatigue can be caused by multiple factors, but you can
work with your doctor to find the one that is affecting
you. You can treat fatigue and fill your life with more
energy.
15

17. Balance Your Independence and Your
Marriage for a Happy Equilibrium
7
Balance Your Independence and Your Marriage for a
Happy Equilibrium
It’s possible to strike a blissful balance between your
independence and your marriage. You can find a way to
make them work together. This will create a stronger
relationship that makes both you and your spouse feel
fulfilled.
Try these strategies to find what works for you:
1. Discuss your need for independence. A relationship
suffers if one person feels trapped and isn’t able to
share ideas. This leads to resentment and anger
building up to a dangerous level. You can avoid these
issues by talking about your needs with your partner.
• It’s important to have an open dialogue about your
desire for more independence. First, reassure your
partner that you still love them more than ever and
want to spend time with them. However, you need
space and time to grow as an individual.
• You can share that you need to develop your own
hobbies or activities outside of the home and
relationship.
• You can still do activities as a couple, but your
own interests don’t have to be neglected.
2. Plan time with your partner. Marriage doesn’t create
the obligation to spend every second with your
partner. Plan to spend some time with your partner and
other times for pursuing your other interests.
• This will help you develop your independence and
feel freedom without hurting your marriage.
3. Find time alone. The time you spend alone can help
nurture your independence.
• Do you crave a few hours with a good book and no
distractions? Do you want to take a long hike alone
with your thoughts? These types of activities can
help you feel free and give you space from your
partner.
4. Find time for friends. Spending time with your
friends can be a fun way to find your independence
again.
• You don’t have to force your partner to attend
every chat, meal, or event with your friends. It’s
normal to spend some time without your spouse
while you visit with your friends.
5. Give each other room to handle challenges. It may
be tempting to act as a savior and try to fix all of the
issues in your partner’s life. However, it’s crucial to
give each other space to handle difficult situations on
your own. Your partner may not want you to interfere.
You can still support each other, but you can also give
each other room.
6. Enjoy your own hobbies. You don’t have to share
every hobby with your partner. Although you can enjoy
hobbies such as skiing or hiking together, you can also
find other activities to do on your own.
• Consider the hobbies you liked before marriage.
Did you create your own paintings in a small studio
at home? Did you take cooking lessons at a local
school or learning center? Do you miss the dance
class you participated in before you got married?
• You can do hobbies on your own without hurting
your partner. First, discuss your need for a solo
16

18. activity and share why it’s important to you. Then,
create a separate list of hobbies you can do as a
couple, so your partner doesn’t feel neglected.
You can create a balance between marriage and your
desire for independence. It requires time and effort
from both sides of the relationship, but that time and
effort can actually bring you closer together.
17

19. Create Abundance by Changing Your Habits
Create Abundance by Changing Your Habits
Whether you’d like to lose a few pounds, enhance your
love life, or make more money, your habits are important.
Your current situation is the result of your habits.
Habits control what we do and think each day. Your
thoughts and actions add up over weeks, months, and
years. Your circumstances are the result.
For example, your physique is the culmination of the
eating and exercise habits you’ve had over the last
several years. Your financial situation is no different.
Your social life is the grand result of your beliefs,
attitudes, and actions regarding other people.
Regardless of your objective, you won’t be successful
without habits that contribute to that success. By
changing your habits, you can create the abundance
you desire.
Use these strategies to develop habits that bring you
abundance:
1. Raise your glass ceiling. We have a level of abundance
that’s challenging to surpass. We might be able to see
ourselves earning $100,000 per year, but can’t wrap
our minds around $500,000. Some numbers seem
impossible to reach.
• If you don’t believe you can do it, you’ll prove
yourself correct. Work each day to raise your level
of expectation. Visualize earning more than you
believe is possible. Stick with that image until the
resistance melts away. When you can imagine it
without feeling uncomfortable, you’re on the road
to success.
2. Keep negative thoughts and emotions out of your
head. This is especially important when it comes to
earning money and your lifestyle. You can control your
18

20. thoughts. Negative thoughts lead to negative
outcomes. Take a deep breath. Let the thoughts go,
and get back to work. It requires practice to stay
positive. There’s no time like the present to start
p r a c t i c i n g .
3. Have a clear goal. Whether you believe in God, the
universe, or yourself as the source of your success,
you can’t get what you want if you’re unable to define
it. Know what you want and develop a plan to achieve it.
• Make a habit of reviewing your goals daily. Set
aside a few minutes twice a day to review and
v i s u a l i z e r e a c h i n g y o u r g o a l s .
4. Provide as much value as possible. Money is a
compact, liquid form of value. You can use it to
purchase any item or service. Without money, we’d be
trading chickens, goats, milk, and rubies for goods and
services. It’s hard to fit a goat in your pocket.
• Understand that you can’t receive something of
value, including money, without providing value.
Praying to the universe, hoping, rubbing chicken
bones together, and howling at the moon don’t
provide value to anyone. So, they’re unreliable
means of bringing more value into your life.
• Spend each day brainstorming ways you can help
others and charge them for it. You only need one
good idea. Once you have a good idea, get busy
bringing it to life.
Studies have shown that habits are best changed slowly.
Big changes are very difficult to maintain and
uncomfortable to even begin. Add a new habit into your
life a piece at a time. It might take weeks or even
months to have a new habit fully implemented. That’s
okay. How many positive habits have you added in the last
five years? Slow results are better than none.
Remember to look at the habits that are currently
limiting your abundance. Remove them from your life
slowly.
Your habits create your environment. Creating effective
habits will increase the level of abundance in your life.
Avoid being in a rush. Seek to improve slowly, but
consistently. Abundance is coming your way.
19

21. Give Yourself the Gift of Saying
No More Often
8
Give Yourself the Gift of Saying "No" More Often
Do you feel like you’ve lost control of your life? Are you
spending too much time on activities and responsibilities
you don’t enjoy? There’s a good chance that saying “no”
more often would bring some relief. Most of us feel
uncomfortable saying “no”. But no other word can
provide more freedom.
Use the word “no” more often:
1. You’ll have more free time. Are you lacking the free
time necessary to pursue your hobbies and interests?
Is it possible that you’d have more free time if you
had declined a few requests? You’re more able to help
others if you also give yourself priority. There’s
nothing left to give if you don’t allow yourself to
unwind.
• Decide how much free time you need each week
a n d s t i c k t o t h a t s c h e d u l e .
2. Saying “no” gives you more control over your life.
When you say “yes” too much, you’re allowing others to
dictate your schedule for you.
• Happiness is elusive when you don’t believe you have
control over your life. Do what you can to help
others, but never give up control over your life.
3. You have a better chance of achieving your goals.
When you say “yes,” you’re helping others reach their
goals. Give yourself the same consideration. Your
goals are important, too. Ensure you have enough time
to address your own dreams.
• You can’t achieve a big goal without giving it
consistent attention. How much time do you require
t o w o r k t o w a r d y o u r g o a l s ?
4. You’re able to set boundaries. Relationships with
friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, and romantic
partners all require boundaries. Otherwise, your
neighbors would be borrowing your car every day, and
your lover might be spending the weekend with
someone else! Avoid being afraid to say “no” when the
situation calls for it.
• There are certain limits on each person in your life.
You can choose and enforce those limits with one
s i m p l e w o r d .
5. Saying “no” keeps your values intact. Sometimes
we’re asked to do things that sacrifice our values. Your
friend might ask you to lie to his wife so he can meet
his mistress. Your boss might ask you to fudge the
numbers in order to make him look better.
• When you’re asked to do something that conflicts
with your values, you can protect your integrity by
s a y i n g , “ n o ” .
6. Other people won’t be able to take advantage of
you. If you haven’t been taken advantage of, you
haven’t been paying attention. Whether it’s loaning $5
for gas or watching your neighbor’s pet for the week-
end, we’ve all be hung out to dry at least a few times.
You can refuse to take part in any activities that might
lead to a loss.
• You don’t have to let others take advantage of your
kindness. It’s not admirable. It’s self-destructive.
Have respect for yourself and expect respect from
o t h e r s , t o o .
20

22. 7. You realize that people aren’t as sensitive to
rejection as you think. People that struggle to say
the word “no” believe that the other person will be
upset or hold it against them. You’ll likely find that the
other person will understand your refusal. The next
time will be even easier.
We can’t say “no” to every request. After all, we’d like
other people to do things for us occasionally. But saying
“yes” to everything creates stress and eliminates our
free time. This isn’t acceptable. Value your time and
energy. You’ll have more to give if you take care of
yourself.
21

23. Life Altering Questions to Ask
Yourself
9
Life-Altering Questions to Ask Yourself
Questions are a valuable tool. By asking yourself
questions, you can change your focus and the direction
of your life. The proper question can open you up to new
possibilities and ideas. Take the time to examine your life
and ensure you’re on the best possible path.
Ask yourself these questions on a regular basis:
1. Have I seen enough to have an accurate view of the
world? It’s surprising how many people have never
crossed their state line. The northeastern part of the
United States is very different from the South,
Midwest, or other parts of the country. Europe is very
different from Africa.
• You’re missing out on a lot if you don’t explore
other places and cultures. What are the odds that
you were born in the precise place that fits you the
b e s t ?
2. Will my finances be able to support my retirement?
It’s important to start asking this question
immediately. Focusing on the short-term at the
expense of the long-term is a common error. You only
have so many tomorrows to prepare for the latter
p a r t s o f y o u r l i f e .
3. Where will I end up in five years if I live this day
repeatedly? You might not have a time machine at your
disposal, but you can probably predict the future
better than you think. Our daily activities determine
our future. Ask yourself these questions and project
your answers over the next five years. What’s the
logical outcome?
• What did I eat today?
• What did I do to earn money today?
• What social activities did I engage in today?
• H o w m u c h e x e r c i s e d i d I g e t t o d a y ?
4. If today were my last day to live, what would I do?
You probably wouldn’t spend your day in front of the
TV or spend your time worrying about silly things.
Whatever answer you receive is a good indication of
how you should be spending more of your time each
d a y .
5. Am I pleased with my career choice or would I
rather do something else? Having multiple careers is
much more common than it used to be. If you’re in a
career you don’t enjoy, you have other options.
Spending 40 years in a career that doesn’t excite you
i s a h a r d w a y t o g o t h r o u g h l i f e .
6. What are my goals? If you don’t have any goals, how
do you know where you’ll end up? Without goals, we’re
relegated to choosing the best options that randomly
pass through our lives. It’s much more effective to
decide what you want and make it happen. Leave
l u c k o u t o f t h e e q u a t i o n .
7. Which parts of my life are making me unhappy?
Becoming happier isn’t just about adding all the right
components. It’s also about getting rid of the stuff
that makes you miserable. The low-rated parts of your
life make you unhappy. It’s not the fact that you don’t
have a Ferrari in your driveway. Take out the trash
b e f o r e a d d i n g t o y o u r l i f e .
8. Am I living my life in a way that supports my
health? Young bodies can take a surprising amount of
wear and tear without showing any signs of abuse. That
doesn’t last. Taking care of yourself today improves
the odds of enjoying good health down the road. Eat
and sleep well. See your doctor on a regular basis.
22

24. 9. Am I enjoying my life as much as I could? Are you
too busy with work to notice all the good things in your
life? Are you too worried to enjoy time spent with
your children? You can experience many simple
enjoyments every day.
It’s easy to get caught up in your old routine and never
take the time to look around. By the time you lift your
head, you realize you’re not where you want to be.
Questions are one way to evaluate your life and create
change. Be aware of your life and make conscious choices.
23

25. The Lessons Learned From Grief
The Lessons Learned From Grief
Whether it’s the death of a loved one, divorce, or the loss
of a job, we all have to deal with grief at some point.
Grief is a normal healing process. After all, your life has
been permanently changed when you suffer such a loss,
and it requires healing to get past the event and move on.
While grief is painful, there are many things to learn from
grief. Challenging times provide the possibility of growth.
Learn from your grief:
1. Grief creates gratitude. You might not think you have
anything to be grateful for, but grief happens when
things are taken away from us. Grief can help you to
appreciate what you had, as well as what you still have.
It’s easy to take things for granted. Grief is a tough
way to learn to be more grateful, but the opportunity
i s t h e r e .
2. Grief can help you engage with your life. It’s very
easy to float along without really committing to
anything. Tragedy can be a wake-up call and remind you
that your time is limited. There are only so many days
left. Ensure that you’re making the most of each
d a y .
3. Grief can’t be solved by avoiding it. You might try to
avoid your grief by staying busy. But you can’t stuff
your grief into an overhead compartment without
something falling on your head sooner or later. You’ll
find that your grief will be waiting for you and your
sadness will get your full attention eventually.
4. Grief can help you to refocus. Perhaps you spend too
much time focused on work at the expense of your
family life. Use grief as a time of reflection. Are you
spending your time in the best manner for you? Have
24

26. y o u e v e r t h o u g h t a b o u t i t ?
5. Life doesn’t stop. After a tragedy, life continues and
99.999% of the people on the planet are unaffected.
Everything keeps moving forward. Your life must
continue, too. It doesn’t seem fair that the world
doesn’t take a timeout for your grief. But there’s
always someone grieving somewhere. Nothing would
ever get accomplished if the world stopped operating.
6. You can move on knowing that things can’t get
worse. You may have had the worst experience you’ll
ever have. There’s a certain relief in that
knowledge. Everything can seem easy by comparison
after you’ve successfully dealt with grief.
7. Bitterness only creates more pain. Some of us tend
to be bitter regardless of the occasion. Grief
highlights the fact that bitterness isn’t a viable
strategy for dealing with life. The Holocaust survivors
with the happiest lives were those able to avoid
bitterness. Grief can facilitate a less bitter view of
l i f e .
8. You’ll find out who your friends really are. It’s
uncomfortable to be around others in pain. But your
true friends will still be there for you. The others will
f i n d a n e x c u s e t o s t a y a w a y .
9. You can overcome anything. Your life will eventually
recover from your loss. It’s surprising how good things
can be after enough time has passed. You can then
approach the future with the knowledge that you can
handle anything life has in store. You’ll be stronger
t h a n y o u ’ v e e v e r b e e n .
10. You become less small-minded. After dealing with
great heartache, it’s not easy to be petty. The small
things become even smaller. The important things
become more important. Grief can be a blessing in this
regard. Your life has the potential to become richer in
the future.
Grief gives you an opportunity to reevaluate your life
and refocus. Turn to your friends and family during
difficult times and one day soon, you’ll be able to move
forward, stronger than ever.
25

27. The Lies You Tell Yourself
10
The Lies You Tell Yourself
We lie to ourselves on a daily basis. These lies cover up
our perceived shortcomings and prevent us from taking
risks. Ultimately, these lies limit our lives and our ability
to enjoy life fully. In the end, our lies serve the
purpose of making us feel better in the short-term.
You may not even be aware of the lies you tell yourself.
A v o i d l y i n g t o y o u r s e l f a n d s t a r t l i v i n g :
1. “I don’t have a choice.” We all have an unlimited
number of options available to us at any time. You
might not feel brave or capable enough to consider
them all, but you do have options. Consider what advice
you would give a friend in a similar situation. Or deter-
mine what your most capable friend would do. Can you
d o t h e s a m e ?
2. “If I do X or say Y, people will think less of me.”
Thought it’s hard to believe, no one cares. Everyone is
too preoccupied with their own lives or else wondering
what your opinion is of them.
• If you believe you’re worthy, you won’t have these
types of thoughts. You’re good enough to do and
s a y w h a t y o u w a n t .
3. “It’s too late for me.” People have graduated from
medical school in their 60’s. An 80-year old
successfully climbed Mount Everest. Do you still think
it’s too late?
• Many things become less convenient as we get
older. For example, it’s more challenging to go back
to school when you have a family and a full-time job
compared to a single, 20-year old. But challenging
and impossible are completely different.
4. “Anything short of perfect is failure.” If you have to
be the best at something before you’ll try, you’ll never
get off the couch. Most of us don’t have the potential
to be the best at anything, but we can all be pretty
good at just about anything. However, it requires time
and effort.
• Do you really need to be the best? That’s another
sign of feeling unworthy. There’s no reason to be
competitive with everything you do. Enjoy yourself
without worrying about how well you’re doing.
5. “I’d be happy if I had more money.” Studies have
shown that happiness and income are only correlated
up to a salary of roughly $70,000 per year. That
means that millionaires are no happier than those that
make $70,000 annually. If you can pay your bills each
month, money isn’t limiting your happiness.
6. “I can change him (or her).” Unlikely. Think about
how hard is to change yourself, even when you want to
change. Now imagine how difficult it is to change
someone else. And that other person probably doesn’t
want to change. It isn’t going to happen.
• Learn to accept others as they are. If something
about them is too disagreeable, distance yourself
f r o m t h e m .
7. “I’m limited in my ability to accomplish anything.” It
has been said that learning to walk and talk are far
more challenging than anything else anyone has ever
accomplished. You’re probably saying to yourself,
“Well, everyone can walk and talk.” Exactly. You’re
infinitely more capable than you need to be.
• You may have a few issues to resolve, but your
inherent capability isn’t one of them.
26

28. We are masters at deluding ourselves. We lie to the
person in the mirror in order to protect ourselves – to
make us feel better. Avoid giving up your future in
order to appease your emotions in the short-term. It
could be argued that the purpose of all self-help is to
learn how to lie to ourselves less frequently. Try it! You
could be the next marvel of the universe!
27

29. What a Caveman Can Teach You
About Simple Living
11
What a Caveman Can Teach You About Simple Living
If you've been shaping up on a paleo diet that has you
eating like a caveman, you might want to take things a
step further. Living more like a caveman across the
board could help you to cut down on complications and
stress.
The next time you're facing a dilemma in your personal or
professional life, ask yourself what a Neanderthal would
d o .
Caveman Lessons on Living Healthy
1. Stay active. Studies show that an hour at the gym
may not be enough to offset the effects of prolonged
sitting. Incorporate more physical activity into your
routine. Taking the stairs and jumping rope can be just
as effective as running after mastodons.
2. Eat whole foods. Many of the benefits of a paleo diet
come from focusing on natural foods rather than bags
of chips and boxes of cookies. Fill most of your plate
with vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
3. Cut down on white sugar and flour. Avoiding
processed foods can be challenging, but it's
worthwhile. Lose weight and lower your risk for
diabetes by switching to whole grains and satisfying
y o u r s w e e t t o o t h w i t h f r u i t .
4. Limit toxins. Our ancestors also had less exposure to
environmental pollutants. Wash your produce well or
buy organic. Support clean air and water initiatives.
5. Sleep well. Early humans didn't stay up all night binge
watching Netflix or playing video games. Go to bed and
wake up on a regular schedule. Darken your bedroom
and wear earplugs if streetlights and traffic are
k e e p i n g y o u u p .
Caveman Lessons on Strengthening Relationships
6. Be direct. If you believe the funny pages, Stone Age
courtship consisted of clubbing your partner over the
head and dragging them home. Granted, that's
extreme, but straightforward communications usually
p r o m o t e m o r e u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d t r u s t .
7. Connect with your kids. Some anthropologists praise
t h e i n v o l v e d p a r e n t i n g s t y l e o f a n c i e n t
hunter-gatherers. Spend time with your children and
e n c o u r a g e u n s t r u c t u r e d p l a y .
8. Communicate face to face. Gathering around the
dinner table draws us closer to family and friends. Log
off Facebook for a while and spend an evening in
t h e s a m e r o o m w i t h y o u r l o v e d o n e s .
9. Cultivate alliances. Neanderthals couldn't order their
groceries online when they were working overtime.
Extend a helping hand to your neighbors, friends, and
relatives so you can support each other on busy days.
Throw potluck dinners and trade babysitting services.
Other Caveman Lessons
10. Create a comfortable home. If home improvement
projects are spiraling out of control, reclaim your free
time. Cover the basics by arranging a space that keeps
you warm and safe. For decorations, you can hang your
o w n d r a w i n g s o n t h e w a l l .
11. Repurpose and recycle. Our ancestors fashioned
rocks and sticks into tools for farming and defense.
You're carrying on the tradition when you fertilize
y o u r r o s e b u s h e s w i t h c o f f e e g r o u n d s .
28

30. 12. Appreciate nature. Studies show that time outdoors
makes us feel happier and more energetic. Take a
walk during your lunch hour or read outdoors before
b r e a k f a s t .
13. Kick your shoes off. Do your feet swell and ache
because they've spent most of the day squeezed into
fashionable footwear? Find relief by removing your
shoes when you arrive home and practicing yoga
exercises that strengthen your feet. As a bonus, you'll
have cleaner floors and enhanced balance.
14. Consume less. Most importantly, cavemen weren't big
spenders. Liberate yourself by figuring out your basic
needs. Trimming your monthly expenses helps you to
pay for other priorities like travel or education.
Even if your knowledge of the Stone Age is limited to
watching reruns of the Flintstones, you can master living
more like a troglodyte. Going prehistoric will make your
life simpler, healthier, and more peaceful.
29

31. What Kind of To Do List Works
for You
12
What Kind of To Do List Works for You?
To do lists help you track your activities and manage your
time. Then again, what happens when your lists grow out
of control because they're too long or there are too many
of them?
Maybe the solution is using a different kind of list. Take a
look at your options for designing an effective to do list,
along with suggestions for using any productivity tool
more effectively.
Tips for Designing a To Do List That Works for You
1. Limit the length. Many experts recommend keeping
your list as short as 3 to 5 items. Promptly cross
off any tasks you complete. Move projects you're
unlikely to get to off to a separate wish list.
2. Consider categories. If you prefer longer lists,
categories are one way to stay organized. Separate
business and personal items. Group similar activities
like shopping, reading, or making phone calls.
3. Juggle timelines. Maybe your projects are
interrelated with structured stages and strict
deadlines. Calendar functions and color-coding could
h e l p y o u s t r a t e g i z e .
4. Add detail. When you need more than a simple list,
create a full log. Build in supplementary information
like daily summaries, phone numbers, and websites you
v i s i t f r e q u e n t l y .
5. Block out your time. Do you tend to waste small
blocks of time? Planning your day in 30-minute
increments could help you spot when you'll have 10
minutes free for filing or checking messages.
6. Choose paper or digital. You may already know that
GTD stands for Get Things Done, and there are a
growing number of GTD apps to choose from. On the
other hand, paper journals are still popular too. What
m a t t e r s i s u s i n g t h e m c o n s i s t e n t l y .
Tips for Using Any To Do List Effectively
7. Set priorities. A successful list lets you see your
major responsibilities at a glance and approach them
systematically. Arrange your list so your top
c o n c e r n s s t a n d o u t .
8. Distinguish between urgency and importance.
Prioritizing raises some tricky questions. Picking up
your dry cleaning before the shop closes in 10 minutes
is urgent. Spending time with your friends is less time
sensitive, but contributes more to your wellbeing. Pay
attention to essentials that may otherwise be bumped.
9. Automate routine tasks. Eliminate chores that robots
and computers can do for you. Electronic banking frees
up your time and gives you peace of mind knowing that
y o u r b i l l s h a v e b e e n p a i d o n t i m e .
10. Build in leeway. Studies show that most adults
underestimate the time it takes to complete many
everyday tasks. Give yourself an extra 10 minutes
between appointments. Assume that a new dinner
recipe may take you 20 minutes to pull together even
if the cookbook claims you can do it in 10.
11. Take a break. Put adequate rest and play on your
list each day. It's time well spent when it keeps you
i n t o p s h a p e a n d p r e v e n t s b u r n o u t .
12. Expect surprises. However comprehensive your list is,
you're sometimes going to run into circumstances that
you couldn't predict. Be prepared to shuffle your
30

32. other obligations to the next week if your car breaks
down or you win a trip to a tropical resort.
13. Evaluate your progress. Hold onto your lists so you
can review them periodically. Repeat the practices
that simplify your life and fix the patterns that are
c a u s i n g y o u d e l a y s .
Keep your personal and professional life in order.
Whether you prefer writing in a notebook with colored
markers or downloading the latest productivity app to
multiple devices, there's a to do list that will help you to
stay on top of your game.
31

33. Why Does Success Elude You
Consider These Top 11 Reasons
13
Why Does Success Elude You? Consider These Top 11
Reasons
Most of us aren’t experiencing the level of success we
desire. It’s easy to see what successful people do.
However, it can be challenging to notice the things
successful people avoid. Avoiding the common success
mistakes improves your odds of attaining higher levels of
achievement.
Avoid these common mistakes on the road to success:
1. Using socially acceptable excuses to quit. It’s easy
to come up with 20 good reasons to quit before you
reach success. Socially acceptable excuses are those
your peers will best understand. That’s the easy way
o u t . R e f u s e t o f a l l i n t o t h i s t r a p .
2. Not having habits that support your goals. Your
results in life are a reflection of your habits. You’re
moving either closer or further from success each
day. Effective habits ensure that you make consistent
p r o g r e s s .
3. Relying on luck. In an effort to avoid work or
responsibility, many of us do the minimum necessary to
have a chance to be successful and rely on a little luck
to carry us the rest of the way.
• A more effective alternative is to have such a good
plan and do so much that you’d have to be incredibly
unlucky to fail. Borrow the military’s idea of
overwhelming force. Bring more resources to the
fight than you think you’d ever need.
4. Not knowing where you’re going. Success requires a
known endpoint. You can’t accidentally end up on the
summit of Mt. Everest. Any significant achievement
requires that you clearly understand your objective.
Avoid just working hard. Work hard with a purpose.
5. Lacking a realistic timeline. In your enthusiasm, be
careful about being too aggressive with the timeline
when you set a goal. It’s easy to overestimate what can
be accomplished in a certain time period. If you
overestimate what you can do in the short term, you’re
l i k e l y t o b e c o m e d i s c o u r a g e d .
6. Giving up too soon. This is the biggest reason for a
lack of success. If you never quit, you can’t fail.
Sooner or later, things will work out. Keep going.
7. You’re afraid of success. It seems like you’d have to
be crazy to be afraid of success, but success isn’t
100% positive. There’s more responsibility. More
people are watching you. There can be a certain
amount of stress associated with success. Just
remember that being unsuccessful is uncomfortable,
t o o .
8. You’re afraid of failure. Failing can be hard on the
ego. The most successful people have failed the
most. In all likelihood, most people won’t even notice
t h e f a i l u r e s o n y o u r w a y t o s u c c e s s .
9. Avoiding full responsibility. Your success and failures
are your responsibility. It doesn’t matter that your
parents aren’t supportive or that your friend won’t
loan you $500. When you blame others, you admit to
yourself that you’re not in control of the situation.
Take control by accepting responsibility.
10. Being pessimistic. A negative attitude brings negative
results. When you expect a poor outcome, you won’t do
the work necessary for success. Why would you even
try? Keep your mind filled with positive thoughts.
32

34. 11. You can’t handle being uncomfortable. Every time you
try something new, there will be a level of discomfort.
You have to deal with uncomfortable feelings all along
the way. Learning to work through these feelings is
part of achieving success.
Success is a twisting road with many obstacles. It’s easy
to become discouraged. The most successful people know
what they want and have a high level of persistence.
Avoid the common reasons for a lack of success and you’ll
reach your goals.
33
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