The Steps To Overcoming Those Negative Patterns

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Ask someone if they have any bad habits, and most people will say yes. Most of us have at least one thing we'd like to kick. While some bad habits, like knuckle cracking or incessant throat clearing, are just annoying to both us and the people around us, others can be hazardous to your health - smoking, for example. Kicking these bad habits is not an easy task, but don't give up. There are some very helpful tips that will help you get rid of any bad habit you may have acquired. Follow these steps to overcoming those negative patterns in your life!


1. Make It Conscious

With some habits, we don't even realize when we're doing it. We light up without noticing it or crack our necks before we even know we've done it. Every time you find yourself in the midst of this habit, be aware of it. Say it out loud if you need to. The more you bring it to your own attention, the more you can control when it happens.


2. Stay Away From Bad Influences

This doesn't just mean people, although, yes, maybe you need to back away from smoking friends if you're tempted to smoke with them too. This also means influences like sitting restlessly with nothing to do or having lots of snacks lying around. If you find you indulge in your habit under certain circumstances, avoid those circumstances.


3. Replace Habits With Something Else

Find something else that you can use to consciously replace the original habit. For example, every time you're tempted to eat in between meals, watch a YouTube video instead. Distract yourself until that urge dies down to a more manageable level.


4. Tell People

Some habits can be embarrassing to admit to others, so you don't have to do something nearly as drastic as posting it on Twitter, but the more people you tell, the more you are held accountable for your choices. Tell a friend, your partner - if nothing else, journal about it and tell yourself. Making your habit-breaking public knowledge gives you extra support and motivation to stick with it.


5. Hypnotherapy

This one takes a little bit more time and money than our other tips, but it's also one of the most helpful for those habits that you just can't kick any other way. There are a lot of myths about hypnotherapy floating around, so feel free to do a little research and find hypnotherapy info to educate yourself on what the process is like, but it may be what you need to succeed.

Self-Motivation - When No One and Nothing Else can Motivate You at Work

I am still fortunate that despite the recession, our company has maintained its staff. Although it is difficult to work with 400x as much load as you previously had, we cannot complain. This is the time where employees are being squeezed dry to the limits because the employer can always give you the "take-it or leave-it" approach. And if you are one of the millions who have bank obligations to settle, you have no choice but to keep mum and just bear and grin it (for the time being...).

Unfortunately, it is also difficult to maintain one's sanity when you work in a place when no one even bothers to motivate and look after you. I have that misfortune. So, I am sharing some few tips (and tricks) to those who are in a similar boat as I am. 

1. Be positive. 

Time and time again, this line can always surpass the cliche mode and it always work. I use the power of positive thinking to help me get by. You know, always see the glass "half-full." I always tell myself that I am lucky to have a job and that matters a lot especially at a time like this.

2. Be thankful.

Lift your head up and say a prayer. Be thankful for the blessings no matter how great or small. A humble man prospers just like what the 8 Beatitudes say: Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.

3. Be creative.

Spruce up your cubicle with nice photos of you and your family. That's what I did. Although we are not allowed to make a collage out of the cubicle wall, we can put nice pictures in frames to display and my table is brimming! Put pictures of happy trips you have, candid shots with funny faces, pictures of your pets and beautiful sceneries. Post sticky notes on your computer monitor with a smiley face drawn on it. That will put a smile on your face.

4. Surround yourself with wisdom.

Read books that you like and inspiring during your coffee break. Read the bible. Read, read, read... Read newspapers (but try not to read the negative headlines! This will just defeat the purpose of self-motivation) especially the comics section (I do this all the time and it brings a smile to my haggard face).

5. Blow your Horn.

Okay, you may think that this contradicts what I have pointed at number 2. It will only if you boast about it. In this case, you do this tooting of horn in silence, in your thoughts. Well, I do "pat myself" for a job well done when no one else will and let me stress this out - I DO IT IN SILENCE. Yes, it sounds weird but it works well for me knowing that what I have done is great and I congratulate myself for that. It boosts my confidence too. Try it. You don't have to announce to the whole world how marvelous you are. Just say it to yourself and believe.

6. Pray.

Start your day and end it with a prayer. I always lift all my worries to God. I am only a mortal with limitations and weakness. I surrender all my doubts and concerns to Him because He knows what is best. At the end of the day, I always tell myself that I have given my best and I offer all those sacrifice to Him and my family. I may not be recognized at work but in His eyes I am worthy.

So, I hope I have helped impart some important tips to help you get by if you are in a similar situation as I am. I know it is very difficult to motivate yourself but look at the bigger picture. Millions of people out there have no work as I write this. You and I have... Shouldn't that be a motivation in itself?

Daily Survival Kit

I got this from a friend's forwarded email and could not let the day pass without sharing. It's really something to note of. So, whenever you are feeling blue and a little bummed, just remember this post of mine and hopefully I can give a smile on your face.

Today, I am giving you a

DAILY SURVIVAL KIT

to help you each day............

Toothpick ... to remind you to pick the good qualities in everyone,including yourself.

Rubber band ... to remind you to be flexible. Things might not always go the way you want, but it can be worked out.

Band-Aid ... to remind you to heal hurt feelings, either yours or someone else's.

Eraser ... to remind you everyone makes mistakes. That's okay, we learn by our errors.

Candy Kiss ... to remind you everyone needs a hug or a compliment everyday.

Mint ... to remind you that you are worth a mint to your family & Me.

Bubble Gum ... to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything.

Pencil ... to remind you to list your blessings every day.

Tea Bag ... to remind you to take time to relax daily and go over that list of God's blessings.

This is what makes life worth living every minute, every day

Wishing you love, gratitude, friends to cherish, caring, sharing, laughter, music, and warm feelings in your heart.