Thought For Today - October

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October 1

An Unreasonable Request

When someone makes an unreasonable request, how do you respond? Do you say no, not possible?

Mostly, what works is a clear and confident no. But you may want to give a little explanation of why you're refusing their current request, without over explaining your reasoning. This gives them the opportunity to understand what's going on for you.

Sometimes, what works, is to avoid responding with a quick no. You may want to say that you'll think about it, and get back to them with a response at a later time. This gives you the opportunity to show respect for their request.

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October 2

Get in Sync

Values inform our choices, add meaning to our actions and definition to our character, but do we really use our values? Are our actions in sync with our values, at all times?

Get in sync with your values, even when no one is looking, even when the choice isn't easy. Use your values and make life valuable.

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Life On Repeat

Get up, go to work, go home, go to bed, get up, go to work... Most of us live life on repeat, so let’s infuse it with meaning and purpose. How? As you go about your day, choose thoughts, words and actions on purpose and bring meaning to seemingly meaningless actions.

How will you add meaning and purpose to your day, today?

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Add To Doubt

When we doubt someone who already doubts themselves - it doesn't help the person, does it? It only adds to their doubt. Maybe the best we can do is to empower them.

Empower them by encouraging their efforts, empathizing with their difficulties and making them feel confident. Accept them where they are at, cut them some slack when they make mistakes, and trust in their potential. Believe in others to empower them.

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Recharge Your Batteries

If your phone’s battery is running low, you charge it up, right? Do the same with yourself.

If your energy is running low, recharge your batteries. Get a little extra sleep, or do nothing, or do something different altogether.... Top up your energy, power up and power through life.

How do you recharge your batteries?

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Just Be Yourself

"Just be yourself." How many times have you heard it or said it!

So, are you always yourself? What stops you from being yourself? Are you worried about how you come across to others? Are there times when you curb your personality because you want to fit in, please people, or because you have to be appropriate to the situation and respectful to the people around you?

It takes more effort to not be yourself. So be yourself, if not all of the time, then most of the time. Be yourself and not only are you being authentic but you'll also feel more relaxed.

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Is Mess a Stress?

Are you in the habit of being messy? Being messy has its benefits, research indicates that it can promote inspiration and creativity. But reality indicates that mess is stress, because when you can’t find what you need, when you need it, you end up wasting time searching for things. To be messy or not to be messy?

Understand what makes your life calmer and functional, and what makes you work better and feel better. Why not, create an environment that suits you best.

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October 8

Being Honest with Yourself

Are you always honest about yourself, to yourself? When we're not honest with ourselves, it creates a subtle tension.

To improve your level of honesty, take time at the end of the day or the end of the week to reflect and journal. Be honest with yourself about who you are and why you do what you do.

When we’re honest with ourselves, there's a deeper level of relaxation. This allows us to be more authentic, transparent and accountable.

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October 9

Honor your Energy

You honor your time and money right? Well, energy too, is one of your most precious resources. So honor your energy by managing it well, and exercise, drink lots of water, eat healthily, get enough sleep....

When you go into an energy deficit, make time and space to recover your energy. Double everything you think you need and get your energy back.

Honor your energy and manage it well, and not only will you feel good but you’ll also manage everything else well.

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Thoughts, Stuck in Your Mind?

When worrisome and anxious thoughts get stuck in your mind, try this: imagine turning the worries and anxieties into ice cubes....

Imagine that it's a warm day, and little by little, the ice cubes begin to melt.... As all your worries and anxieties melt away, let any remaining tension in your mind, melt into complete relaxation.

Your mind is now completely relaxed and free.

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Start The Day Right

How do you start your day? Mayhem or calm? Sluggish or motivated? Grumpy or happy?

How we start the day sets the tone for the rest of the day. So how would you like to start the day? With anticipation? With a bright mood? With a positive mindset? And what would you like to add to your morning routine to help you start the day right? Peaceful Meditation? Energizing Exercise? Healthy Breakfast?

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Attitude Towards Someone

As is your attitude, so is your experience. If you find that your attitude towards someone is negative, it'll influence how you communicate and behave towards that person. And as a result, your attitude will most likely reflect back to you.

So, check your attitude. Contained within your attitude are your perceptions and beliefs about the other person. Check if your perceptions and beliefs reflect reality. Change your attitude, make it positive and you'll increase the possibility of a positive experience.

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Tracking Everything

There are so many gadgets and apps that can help us keep a track of just about anything, from steps taken, stairs climbed, time spent on email or social media, to the quality and quantity of sleep. Tracking yourself to monitor things can be valuable if you use it to make healthy changes, do better and be better. But over-monitoring everything can become overwhelming and useless.

So, what do you think, should we really be tracking everything? Or maybe, track some things, and if so how to do it more successfully?

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Reach for Certainty

We like to reach for certainty, but the only certainty is uncertainty.

Let go of the need to reach for certainty & instead take hold of trust. Trust that there is a reason & benefit in everything. Cultivate trust in life & it will carry you through all the changes & challenges, & help you create opportunities & make the most of uncertainty.

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October 15

Involving Others in Decision Making... or Not

When making decisions, do you get others involved? Especially if they're affected by the decisions?

Involving others in the decision making, can often make the process longer because of all the different personalities & opinions. But it can also make those involved in making the decision, feel more valued. And improve the decision because of all the different knowledge & skills.

Decide when to make decisions on your own & when to involve others in the decision making.

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October 16

Where Thoughts Come From

We think a lot. Some of its positive, some negative, some frightening, some enlightening. Where do our thoughts come from? Do they simply leap into our mind or are they triggered by something? TV, tasks, music, memories, podcasts, people...?

Just as our thinking affects everything, everything affects our thinking. So, know where your thoughts come from.

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Things You Like and Dislike

There are things we like, things we dislike…. Our likes and dislikes are part of our identity and individuality. But these likes and dislikes can create rigid opinions and habits that may be limiting and unhealthy. Now, we don't have to like everything, but it may be healthier to be less rigid.

Challenge yourself to a) like your dislikes, and if you can't, then maybe dislike a little less, b) drop your likes and dislikes, one by one, and if you can't, then maybe drop a few of your likes and dislikes. Try it and see what happens.

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Be Like a Tortoise

Just as a tortoise is able to withdraw into its shell at a moment’s notice, we too can withdraw our attention from the world around us, away from our senses, thoughts and emotions. Turn your attention to the essence of your being.

Be like a tortoise and take a moment to withdraw every so often during the day. It can be during routine actions, as well as when you need it the most. Become centred within your inner peace and inner power and return with a refreshed mind and presence.

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Problem Solving, Quick or Slow?

When it comes to problems, are you quick to look for solutions? Quick problem solving and fixing things immediately is good, but it may limit your solutions. Sometimes, to arrive at the right solutions, it's better to go slow, spend some time on the problem and work through the problem thoroughly.

Of course, no problem is ever the same. But generally, what works for you, quick or slow problem solving?

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5 Ways to Boost Your Mood

As the days get shorter, darker and colder, it’s easy to feel a little down. Here are 5 ways to boost your mood:

1. Find an exercise routine that makes you happy and get active.
2. Plan something fun and have something to look forward to.
3. Turn on upbeat, uplifting music and feel brighter.
4. Volunteer your time, energy and skills, and feel good.
5. Throw those curtains wide, step outside and get some sunlight.

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Talking About Others

If you know something about someone, do you feel compelled to share that with someone else? Even when it has no bearing on our own lives, we like to talk about other people to other people. Even when we know it's not constructive or nice, we still do it.

What will you do? Curb the urge to gossip? Can you stay considerate and complimentary, when you talk about other people to other people? So what to do, gossip or not to gossip?

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October 22

Giving Up, Keeping Going

You’ve probably given up on lot of things before. Giving up on the right things, for the right reasons is often the right choice.

But if you're thinking about giving up on things that matter, then maybe you need to think about a) giving up the desire to give up and b) finding a way to keep going.

Do you know when to give up and when to keep going?

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October 23

The Extra Hour

This weekend, in the UK, the clocks go back one hour. This gives us an extra hour to enjoy and do whatever we want. Get an extra hour of sleep. Catch up on some of the little things we never have time for. Or do something fun or something special.

What will you do with your extra hour?

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The Wandering Mind

How often does your mind wander off? There are times when a wandering mind can be dangerous, but there are times when a wandering mind can be a good thing, it can foster creative thinking.

Next time you notice that your mind has wandered off, decide if now is an appropriate time to let your mind wander. If it's not, then bring your mind back to what you are doing.

Just become more aware of your wandering mind, and make it work for you.

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A Chore Free Weekend

Laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, ironing.... do you save all your chores for the weekend? Would you like to do less chores on the weekend? Maybe even have a chore free weekend?

Here's how: do most of the chores, if not all of them during the weeknights. You may want to avoid doing all your chores in one night. Instead maybe do your chores on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, and finish what's left on Thursday night.

You may want to set yourself time limits because if you have less time, chores take less time. Get your chores out of the way and you're free to relax and get the most out of your weekends.

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Are You a Drainer?

Are you a drainer, a radiator or an energizer? A drainer blames, complains, criticizes, and just takes, takes and takes. A radiator gives out warmth, smiles and leaves others feeling inspired. An energizer encourages, appreciates and infuses others with positivity.

Now, no one wants to be a drainer but sometimes we're prone to draining other people's energy, especially when we're feeling stressed and depleted or when life gets a bit rough and tough. So, if you are a drainer, think about how to fix it and get back to being a radiator or an energizer.

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Make Your Own Luck

Do you think luck happens by chance? Or can you make your own luck?

If you want to make good luck happen:
- Be more positive. Think you are lucky, believe it and feel it.
- Be open to noticing opportunities and creating possibilities.
- Confidently take decisions and actions, and work hard.
- Make the most of every situation and nothing will feel like bad luck.

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From Insecurity to Inner Security

Almost all of us have insecurities. Insecurities build shaky foundations for self-esteem and everything we do!

Break free from your insecurities by a) listening to what your insecurities are telling you, b) understanding what's behind your insecurities and c) working out how to overcome them. Then respond to your insecurities with self-esteem affirmations. Love yourself and build a solid foundation of inner security.

How will you go from insecurity to inner security?

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October 29

Express Yourself

Only a tiny percentage of communication is expressed through our words. The rest of the communication is through our facial expressions, gestures, the tone and volume of our voice, and through our attitude and behavior.

So, what you are communicating? How are you expressing yourself?

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October 30

Things are Looking Down

When things are looking down, here's a simple way to boost your mood, look up. Look up in the sky. Look up at the clouds, the sun. Look up at the stars, the moon. Look up at the buildings, the trees.

Look up. It may help you put things into perspective and help you feel better, even if it's just for a moment.

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Thoughts Like Stars

Think elevated thoughts and your thoughts become like stars. Hold elevated thoughts in your mind, and thoughts, like stars, become bright and luminous.

When your mind becomes like the clear starry night sky, your thoughts, like stars will brighten your mood and illuminate your world.