Self Improvement

How to Remember More of What You Read

Reading is important for anyone who wants to get ahead in life. The skills you can learn and the viewpoints that can change your life are just some of the benefits of reading. If you don’t remember what you read, a book is just words on a page – not much use to you.

The ability to remember and recall the words you read can mean the difference between a great reading experience and an utter waste of time. The great news is anyone can remember more of what they read with just a few changes.
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Needs and Wants: Discovering the Subtleties That Can Change Your Life

I think it’s safe to say that when pressed, most people will be able to tell the difference between wants and needs. Yet, I see many people blur the distinction between the two using the words “want“ and “need“ interchangeably. Remember, nobody “needs” a big screen TV.

However, the difference between wants and needs isn’t defined by a fine line. There are many subtleties within them. If you understand these subtleties you can end up saving money, time and live a better life.
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The Secret to Being and Thinking Creatively

 

Whether we realize it or not, creativity has affected our lives in many ways. All the technological advancements around us were the result of someone thinking creatively. All the best works of art were too. The very word “creativity” means to bring thought into reality; something from nothing. It’s the source of all mankind’s greatest achievements.

Creativity is an important characteristic to have. It is important to many employers who see innovation as a way to grow their business. Not only that, but creativity can define how we see ourselves and our role in the world.
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4 Hobbies That Can Change How You See the World

 
Hobbies are a great way to spend your time. The skills and discipline hobbies bring can be great for your life. They have been shown to reduce stress, boost self-esteem and can even make you healthier. When thinking about hobbies, coin and stamp collecting come to mind. However, the list of hobbies you can do is large and varied.
 
Some hobbies can even change the way you see the world. These activities can make you see the world in new and unique ways that you might not see otherwise.
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Eliminate Distractions: The Secret to Finding More Free Time

Distractions are everywhere. It’s easy to get caught in even the most mundane attention grabber that wants your time. Once they have your attention, it can be difficult to get it back.

Advertisements are a great example of this. They don’t make your life any better by watching them. They don’t give you any real world benefits, yet their ability to grab people’s attention is amazing. Think about how much time you’ve spent watching them. What could you do with all of that time?
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6 Reasons to Meditate (And How to Get Started)

 

Meditation is a discipline to silence the mind and get you into a deeper state of awareness. This deep, calming experience clears the mind of all the noise we experience in our heads. It creates peace even when the outside world is in disarray. Once the mind is clear, restful feelings and focused thoughts arrive.

Through meditation we can relax our minds to improve our mental health. There are also many physical benefits to meditation.
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How to Become a Successful Risk Taker

 

Of all the skills in life to learn, I believe risk taking is the most important.  Imagine how dull your life would be if you never took chances.  Without taking risks, you might never have found that great hole in the wall restaurant, traveled the world or found the love of your life.  Everything great in life requires a little bit of risk to make it happen.

For example, several years ago I was asked by a friend of mine to accompany him on a trip to Southeast Asia.  He asked about twenty people to go with him.  Everyone eventually backed out except me.  That trip became one of the defining moments of my life.  Why did I do it and so many others back out?  Because I am a risk taker.

Becoming a risk taker seems to have a negative connotation to it.  The word brings up images of danger, hazards or even loss.  But no matter how dangerous the idea of risk taking is, there is an even greater danger of not taking risks.  Risks are a key ingredient to living life to the fullest.  Fortunately, the skills of becoming a successful risk taker can be learned.
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