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THE NOT-TO-DO LIST: AND WHY YOU SHOULD CREATE ONE

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not to do list

If you’re interested in what a not-to-do list is, and how creating one can help you, then this article is for you. In essence, a not-to-do list, is the Yin to your to-do list’s Yang. The not-to-do list gives you parameters or bounds for you to stay on track and achieve your actual to-do list.

It helps you stay focused on the important things you want to achieve. The idea behind the not-to-do list is simple; pinpoint the barriers standing in the way of your achieving what is on your to-do list.

Oftentimes these barriers can be bad habits that you’ve subconsciously formed, and the only way to overcome them is to constantly remind yourself that this behavior is not useful. With that being said, if you’re ready to learn even more about the not-do-do list and why you should create one, let’s dive in:

What’s An Example Of A Not-To-Do List?

Not-to-do list

Perfectionism: This one is for both personal life and work. The idea is not to hang on every detail, or get bogged down trying to write the perfect blog post, email or client pitch. After a certain amount of time you get diminishing returns from extra work and it makes sense to apply this effort in areas you can move the needle more.

Not Planning: Especially for work not having a short and mid term plan to shoot for can leave you rudderless, which means wasting time on non important urgent tasks.

Not Taking Breaks: This is crucial, even though it seems like you can get more done not taking breaks it is not true. The best approach is to use an external pomodoro timer that remind you to take short breaks.

Using Your Phone At Work: This one was huge for me, I’d end up wasting an hour or two on my phone a day and shifting mentally to not wanting to do this limited phone time and increased productivity.

Spending Too Much Time On Emails: Another big time waster, if you’re constantly checking your email you can’t get much done. 

Feeling Sorry For Yourself: When you have a rough day or week, the worst thing you can do to yourself is feel sorry for yourself. It compounds negative feelings and can be self fulfilling so you perform poorly.

Futurecasting: Spending too much time in the future in your mind, takes you away from the present and can often lead to anxiety.

Dwelling On The Past: Focusing on the past is as bad as futurecasting as it can make you anxious and takes you away from what you should be doing.

Focusing On Weakness: Focusing on your weaknesses can leave you in a negative mindset too, and does not help you fix your weaknesses or excel in the areas you’re strongest in.

Focus On What You Don’t Want: As my motorcycle teacher says “you go where you look” if you’re focused on what you don’t want you may end up there. Focus on the things you want to achieve and it makes them more likely to happen.

Skipping Breakfast: Whenever I skip breakfast I’m less productive and less able to focus.

Skipping Exercise: Some days I don’t have an hour for the gym, but that’s no excuse to skip exercise, a 10 minute high intensity interval training can be as good for motivation as the gym.

Skipping Meditation: Not meditating really affects my mental health and productivity so skipping is a big not-to-do .

How Do You Write A Not-To-Do List?

The idea is to, over the course of a normal day, track your habits, patterns and things you do to understand what may be stealing time, making you less productive or happy. The best way to do this is by using the red/blue exercise.

Write the date and day and write everything that you didn’t want to do, but did do in red. For example, every day I push snooze or doom scroll for an hour on Instagram it’s noted as red.

Whereas every day I meditate or exercise, that’s noted in blue. It makes it easy to identify the habits you want to stop.

Alongside the red/blue journaling you should also keep note of tasks that were frustrating, time consuming or where you felt less efficient. The idea is to identify areas in your life where you could outsource or delegate certain tasks, or find areas to ask for help.

How Do You Put Your Not-To-Do List Into Action?

After a week of red/blue journaling you will have identified most of the habits you’d like to stop. The idea is to then write these down, ideally next to your to-do list. Then find ways to put them into practice.

One example for me is using my phone in the day. It’s a huge time sink for me, so I noted that in my not-to-do list and then built a system to not use my phone at work. The system is simple, I put it out of reach, in my bag or when I’m working from home I leave it in another room.

Another one for me is to spend less time emailing. So now I only check my emails once a day and respond to all my emails in one batch. When I adjusted this habit and was actively trying to not check my emails all the time, it became easy to put into practice.

I’m Already Very Productive. Do I Need A Not-To-Do List?

The answer will always be yes, even if you’re more disciplined than most and never look at your phone in the day, spend hours writing emails, or any other productivity killer. The great thing about creating a not-to-do list, is you can use it to improve even moderate behaviors.

Let’s say you use “Ok” or “umm” a lot, you can use a not-to-do list to improve even this most basic behavior. So, even if you can make only a 1% improvement every week on small behaviors, you’ll still be improving 52% a year.

With that being said, what will your not-to-do list look like?

Till next time,

STRIVE

Self-Improvement

10+ BEST BUSINESS AUDIOBOOKS TO FIND NEXT LEVEL SUCCESS

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business audiobooks

In a business world that is highly crowded and competitive, it takes a lot of time and energy to remain relevant and valuable to the marketplace. Every start-up, business owner, and entrepreneurial minded manager struggles to find the time to improve themselves, let alone stay abreast of the fresh perspectives found in the sea of self-help and business books that exist. The good news is, the growing availability of business audiobooks makes the development we all need to stay competitive, possible.

Audiobooks are truly a boon for anyone seeking a greater edge in their business or career, but that’s pressed for time. So, if you find that you’re the type of person who has been unable to take their career or business to the next level, simply because you don’t have the time to sit and read, well, audiobooks are the solution.

Audiobooks are a fantastic way to absorb the information from books while going about your daily life.  Whether you put one on during your commute or listen while your at the gym, they offer you a way to learn during times you normally couldn’t. With that said, here’s a handful of some of the best business audiobooks that you can begin listening to today to help you find that next level success in business and in life:

BEST BUSINESS AUDIOBOOKS

best business audiobooks

Note: We’re reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

1. ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’ by Dale Carnegie

This is pretty much the first book most of us turn to, the first we recommend to our friends and the one most often given as a gift.  It’s the most famous books in the realm of business books but that’s for a very good reason. 

This guide of how to look at situations and make yourself influential and likeable is not what you think.  It is surprisingly more about how to be genuine by not faking it.

How to Win Friends and Influence People is an ideal audiobook for business gurus who want to sell their expertise the right way.

2. ‘Ego is the Enemy’ by Ryan Holiday

Success is a fickle thing and if you let your ego win then you may find it’s destroyed you and your business.  But, according to Ryan Holiday (who also authored the NYT best seller The Obstacle Is The Way), you can take back your business expertise by taking control of your ego. That’s where the “Ego is the Enemy” audiobook comes in handy.

This audiobook discusses some stories of people who fell victim to their egos and the way it has affected them.  It’s a great listen to stop yourself from sabotaging your profession.

3. ‘Start With Why’ by Simon Sinek

This audiobook challenges listeners to think about the “Why” in their business practices. It’s a secret technique that many natural-born leaders know. When the “Why” is addressed in one’s business venture, then that “Why” becomes the solution to business success.

Simon Sinek explains why certain people are able to see the “Why” in their work, while others don’t see it right away. So, if a business leader doesn’t see the “Why” in their work, then their leadership will fall flat. Sinek will explore this idea with his own experiences in his work and passions in the business world.

4. ‘Unbroken’ by Laura Hillenbrand

This one isn’t necessarily a business book and is pretty heavy but will give you that drive to face the challenges ahead of you. 

It discusses the story of Louis Zamperini who was a POW in the second world war after his plane crashed in the Pacific leaving him drifting on a raft for 47 days. It follows his experiences transferring from prison camp to prison camp in Japan.

5. ‘The 4 Disciplines Of Execution’ by Sean Covey, Chris McChesney, and Jim Huling

If you haven’t heard of the term “4DX,” then allow the likes of Sean Covey, Chris McChesney, and Jim Huling to explain what that is. Essentially, that is the abbreviation for “The 4 Disciplines of Execution.”

This audiobook is the perfect way for business leaders to make projects get off the ground – from the brainstorming sessions to the planning stage to the team executing that brilliant idea. This idea of the 4DX consists of four disciplines that are both practical and timeless. As you listen to this immersive, conference-like discussion, you’ll get plenty of advice on how to lead your business team with an effective plan.

6. ‘The 4-Hour Workweek’ by Timothy Ferriss

Although it’s not about magically turning your workweek into four hours of effort, this audiobook suggests a different approach. Rather than find that burnout cure through reduced work hours, it suggests how working smarter is a better choice. 

This audiobook gives some great tips you can implement in your work. It’s a good introduction to finding that work-life balance.

7. ‘The Power Of Habit’ by Charles Duhigg

Making or breaking a habit is a familiar notion in Charles Duhigg’s The Power of Habit. If you’re tired of your usual business habits, or want to spice up said habits, then this audiobook is for you.

This audiobook describes how the 30-day monotony can take a toll on businesspeople, including leaders. So, what makes these habits stick in the first place? Duhigg suggests three key elements—the cue, the routine, and the reward. He demonstrates these elements through examples and anecdotes. It’s through these examples and anecdotes that listeners can learn how to develop healthier habits in their business endeavors.

8. ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change’ by Stephen R. Covey

The guidebook of how to build your character and get as much out of your day as possible. It can feel a slog at times but is well worth the time listening.  This book is all about the big picture and looking to prioritize your to-do list to make you more efficient. 

Its 336 pages are full of information to help you. And, it includes practical systems that you can implement into your daily life.

9. ‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari’ by Rob S. Sharma

A very entertaining book to listen to, this is mostly targeted at entrepreneurs and artists, but definitely gives lessons everyone can take something from.  It’s all about looking at what matters, taking responsibility for yourself, and knowing when it’s time to gracefully bow out.

However, the audiobook also understands when it’s time for a businessperson to double down and fight. In other words, Sharma understands that not all business ventures will be smooth-sailing. He suggests that the love for the job is what matters. It’s like the old saying, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

10. ‘Lean In: Women, Work, And The Will To Lead’ by Sheryl Sandberg

Celebrated TED Talk speaker and businesswoman Sheryl Sandberg isn’t afraid to share her experiences in the business world in her audiobook. The bulk of her audiobook exposes the concerns with women’s gradual but noticeable progress in business.

Sandberg not only shares from her own experiences, but also adds a bit of humor in her narrative. In addition to her assertive and casual demeanor, her book is all about tough love and understanding, since those qualities make up the recipe for success for women’s success in the business world, thus crushing the outdated, stereotypical women-stay-at-home myth.

11. ‘Lean Startup’ by Eric Ries

If you’re seeking insights on how to create a radically successful business without breaking the bank or spending endless hours developing something no one wants, then this audiobook is a must-read.

Ries provides an often overlooked approach to launching products or services without overinvesting time and money. His advice is critical for Cash strapped entrepreneurs who aim to preserve their capital and avoid business failure.

This business audio book is perfect for any entrepreneur who is thinking about launching their own startup business. If you’ve never read the book or listened to it in audio, it’s worth giving it a go.

12. ‘Your Next Five Moves: Master The Art of Business Strategy By Patrick Bet-David

‘Your Next Five Moves’ is one of the best-selling business books that is brought to you by the highly successful business mogul and growing media personality, Patrick Bet-David.

Patrick, or PBD as many have come to call him, is a nonsense thinker who cuts through what causes most people to fail in business, by offering up his shrewd business sense and practical ideas.

PBD does tell his readers what to think, but he does provide a solid framework that can help any entrepreneur or business professional better navigate the perils of modern business. If you’re looking to become a leader in your business who consistently achieves long-term success, then this is a must-read book.

Bonus Business Audiobook: ‘Mastery’ by Robert Greene

Finally, Robert Greene has a great audiobook for businesspeople everywhere. Greene will show you how to “master” the art of being a guru at anything you set your mind to, especially business.

If you’re looking to take more control of your life or business and begin shaping it into the master piece that it can be, then you’ll love this book. The work and research he puts into his every book is second to none, and in this particular book Greene pieces together the secrets of what it takes to become a Master. So, if you’re looking for some serious insights on how to become the master of your business, this book is a must read.

Wrapping Up

There are so many additional business audiobooks out there for you to choose from. This selection is just a starter list to help you learn a handful of new and unique ideas to improve yourself, your mindset, and eventually your success in business.

Of course, it’s important to branch out beyond the typical “business” genres as you search out other audiobooks that can truly help you grow

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Quotes

100+ STEPHEN COVEY QUOTES THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE

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Stephen Covey Quotes

Stephen Covey was an American educator, businessman, and author of the National Bestselling book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. He also authored many other popular books related to personal growth and striving for personal greatness. In short, he’s inspired countless people all over the world with his words of wisdom, and we aim to perpetuate that wisdom by publishing these handful of Stephen Covey quotes.

His almost sage-like advice has been used by so many people to improve their lives, and we hope you’ll be able to use some of his words to help you change yours. With that being said, if you’re ready for some of words that could quit literally change your life, let’s dive into some of these inspiring Stephen Covey quotes.

STEPHEN COVEY QUOTES FOR PERSONAL CHANGE

Best Stephen Covey Quotes

1.Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character, sow a character, reap a destiny.” – Stephen R. Covey

2. “But until a person can say deeply and honestly, “I am what I am today because of the choices I made yesterday,” that person cannot say, “I choose otherwise.” – Stephen R. Covey

3. “To achieve goals you’ve never achieved before, you need to start doing things you’ve never done before.” – Stephen R. Covey

4. “If we keep doing what we’re doing, we’re going to keep getting what we’re getting.” – Stephen R. Covey

5. “Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.” – Stephen R. Covey

6. “Effective people are not problem-minded; they’re opportunity-minded. They feed opportunities and starve problems.” – Stephen R. Covey

7. “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” – Stephen R. Covey

8. “Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he can and should be and he will become as he can and should be.” – Stephen R. Covey

9. “Start with the end in mind.” – Stephen R. Covey

10. “The way we see the problem is the problem.” – Stephen R. Covey

Stephen Covey Quote on The Problem

11. “Make time for planning; ware are won in the general’s tent.” – Stephen R. Covey

12. “Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” – Stephen R. Covey

13. “To change ourselves effectively, we first had to change our perceptions.” – Stephen R. Covey

14. “I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.” – Stephen R. Covey

15. “We see the world, not as it is, but as we are──or, as we are conditioned to see it.” – Stephen R. Covey

16. “Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.” – Stephen R. Covey

17. “Leadership is communicating people’s worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it themselves.” – Stephen R. Covey

18. “Two people can see the same thing, disagree, and yet both be right. It’s not logical; it’s psychological.” – Stephen R. Covey

19. “At some time in your life, you probably had someone believe in you when you didn’t believe in yourself.” – Stephen R. Covey

20. “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” – Stephen R. Covey

21. “You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage—pleasantly, smilingly, non-apologetically, to say “no” to other things. And the way you do that is by having a bigger “yes” burning inside. The enemy of the “best” is often the “good.” – Stephen R. Covey

22. “To touch the soul of another human being is to walk on holy ground.” – Stephen R. Covey

23. “If I really want to improve my situation, I can work on the one thing over which I have control – myself.” – Stephen R. Covey

24. “Be a light, not a judge. Be a model, not a critic” – Stephen R. Covey

25. “Highly effective people tend to be proactive. They decide to find a better job or to have better health, rather than responding to whatever curves life throws at them.” – Stephen R. Covey

26. “Happiness, like unhappiness, is a proactive choice.” – Stephen R. Covey

27. “My paradigm shifted. Suddenly I saw things differently, and because I saw differently, I thought differently, I felt differently, I behaved differently.” – Stephen R. Covey

28. “Live out of your imagination, not your history.” – Stephen R. Covey

29. “When you make a mistake, admit it, correct it, and learn from it — immediately.” – Stephen R. Covey

30. “You can’t change the fruit without changing the root.” – Stephen R. Covey

31. “The only thing that endures over time is the “Law Of The Farm”. You must prepare the ground, plant the seed, cultivate, and water if you expect to reap the harvest.” – Stephen R. Covey

32. “There are three constants in life…change, choice, and principles.” – Stephen R. Covey

33. “What you do has greater impact than what you say.” – Stephen R. Covey

34. “Setbacks are inevitable; misery is a choice.” – Stephen R. Covey

35. “Leadership is a choice, not a position.” – Stephen R. Covey

36. “If you want to be trusted, be trustworthy.” – Stephen R. Covey

37. “The power to keep commitments to ourselves is the essence of developing the basic habits of effectiveness.” – Stephen R. Covey

38. “I use the word effectiveness to get away from the word of success, because it tends to connote only getting desired results. But, you have to constantly nurture the assets that produce those desired results.” – Stephen R. Covey

39. “It’s the nature of reactive people to absolve themselves of responsibility.” – Stephen R. Covey

40. “Leaders are not born or made, they are self-made.” – Stephen R. Covey

stephen covey quote about leadership

41. “Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.” – Stephen R. Covey

42. “Synergy is better than my way or your way. It’s our way.” – Stephen Covey Quote

Halfway There

You’ve made it to the halfway point, great job! Here are a few fun facts to ponder if you’re looking for a little break….

Fun Fact: Stephen Covey was once named by Time magazine as one of the top 25 most influential people.

Fun Fact: Corporations would pay Stephen Covey’s business over $500 million per year to have him teach and train their staff the reinvention/leadership strategies found in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Fun Fact: Stephen Covey is the father of the following 7 Habits…..

Habit 1: Be Proactive
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Habit 4: Think Win/Win
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
Habit 6: Synergize
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

Alright, let’s get back to these inspiring Stephen Covey quotes shall we?

Related: Best Self-Growth Quotes

43. “If you want small changes in your life, work on your attitude. But if you want big and primary changes, work on your paradigm.” – Stephen R. Covey

44. “Each of us guards a gate of change that can be opened only from the inside.” – Stephen R. Covey

45. “You can retire from a job, but don’t ever retire from making extremely meaningful contributions in life.” – Stephen R. Covey

46. “The roots of the problems we face in the world, in our national life, and in our family and personal lives are spiritual.” – Stephen R. Covey

47. The key is taking responsibility and initiative, deciding what your life is about and prioritizing your life around the most important things.” – Stephen R. Covey

48. “Goals are pure fantasy unless you have a specific plan to achieve them.” – Stephen R. Covey

49. “Every time you think the problem is ‘out there’, that very thought is the problem.” – Stephen R. Covey

50. “Life is not accumulation, it is about contribution.” – Stephen R. Covey

51. “Employers and business leaders need people who can think for themselves — who can take initiative and be the solution to problems.” – Stephen R. Covey

52. “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” – Stephen R. Covey

53. “Your most important work is always ahead of you, never behind you.” – Stephen R. Covey

54. “Treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers.” – Stephen R. Covey

55. “Motivation is a fire from within. If someone tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly.” – Stephen R. Covey

56. “Be a light, not a judge. Be a model, not a critic.” – Stephen R. Covey

57. “Be a part of the solution, not part of the problem.” – Stephen R. Covey

58. “Proactive people carry their own weather with them.” – Stephen R. Covey

59. “Accountability breeds response-ability.” – Stephen R. Covey

60. Live your life by a compass, not a clock.” – Stephen R. Covey

61. “Deep within each of us is an inner longing to live a life of greatness and contribution – to really matter, to really make a difference. We can consciously decide to leave behind a life of mediocrity and to life a life of greatness – at home, at work, and in the community.” – Stephen R. Covey

62. “There’s no better way to inform and expand your mind on a regular basis than to get into the habit of reading good literature.” – Stephen R. Covey

63. “Being influenceable is the key to influencing others.” – Stephen R. Covey

64. “Most arguments are not really disagreements but are rather little ego battles and misunderstandings.” – Stephen R. Covey

65. “We live in a shortcut world. Can you imagine a farmer “cramming” in the fall to bring forth the harvest, as students have done, and still do, to pass examinations? Can you imagine a mile runner “pretending” speed and endurance, or a concert pianist “putting on the appearance” of skill and proficiency?” – Stephen R. Covey

66. “Admission of ignorance is often the first step in our education.” – Stephen R. Covey

67. “Most meetings are a waste of time, because they are so ill-prepared and there’s so little opportunity for true synergy in producing better results.” – Stephen R. Covey

69. “Our most important financial asset is our own capacity to earn.” – Stephen R. Covey

68. “We are not animals. So, we are not a product of what has happened to us in our past. We have the power of choice.” – Stephen R. Covey

70. “To know and no to do is really not to know.” – Stephen R. Covey

Stephen R. Covey Quote

71. “The space between stimulus and response, is the freedom to choose your response.” – Stephen R. Covey

72. “You cannot hold people responsible for results if you supervise their methods.” – Stephen R. Covey

73. “I believe conflicting or diverse viewpoints are a gift.” – Stephen R. Covey

74. “Win/Lose poisons the mind.” – Stephen R. Covey

75. “People deep into their souls know principles that are universal, timeless, and self-evident.” – Stephen R. Covey

76. “You cannot think independently in an interdependent world.” – Stephen R. Covey

77. “Don’t waste time on things that are urgent but not important.” – Stephen R. Covey

78. “Write a personal mission statement and live by it, so that your life is a function of your values, not a function of your environment.” – Stephen R. Covey

79. “It isn’t the poisonous snake that bites you that does the serious harm, it’s chasing that sucker that drives the poison into the heart.” – Stephen R. Covey

80. “Leadership is a choice.” – Stephen R. Covey

81. “I wouldn’t do work that does not add value, even if you make money. I would do work which significantly adds value to society.” – Stephen R. Covey

82. “Most meetings don’t need to take place.” – Stephen R. Covey

83. “I have no desire at all to retire, I never will. I am convinced that you should waste and wear out your life trying to make a contribution.” – Stephen R. Covey

84. “The greatest contribution I want to make frankly is to strengthen the families. To me that’s more important than any other organization there is.” – Stephen R. Covey

85. “Where you are headed is more important than how fast you are going.” – Stephen R. Covey

86. “You’ve got to develop the moral authority that your life is not a function of your moods, it’s a function of your values.” – Stephen R. Covey

87. “Trust is the highest form of human motivation. It brings out the very best in people.” Stephen R. Covey

88. “Don’t get seduced by money and by material things. It may be good to a degree, but in the long run what matters is the quality of the relationships with people, the quality of your character, and the quality of the contribution you make.” – Stephen R. Covey

89. “There’s four basic needs in all of us; to live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy.” – Stephen R. Covey

90. “You’re a product of your own choices.” – Stephen R. Covey

91. “That which you resist persists.” – Stephen R. Covey

92. “People simple feel better about themselves when they’re good at something.” – Stephen R. Covey

93. “When we defend those who are absent, you retain the trust of those present.” – Stephen R. Covey

94. “Paradigms are powerful because they create the lens through which we see the world.” – Stephen R. Covey

95. “Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out.” – Stephen R. Covey

96. “Make sure that as you scramble up the ladder of success, it is leaning against the right building.” – Stephen R. Covey

97. “The win-win mentality is fundamental not just to business but to all of life’s relationships. it’s the ticket to entry into any human being’s heart.” – Stephen R. Covey

98. “People are working harder than ever, but because they lack clarity and vision, they aren’t getting very far. They, in essence, are pushing a rope… with all of their might.” – Stephen Covey

99. “Our greatest joy and our greatest pain come in our relationships with others.” – Stephen R. Covey

100. “The key to success is dedication to life-long learning.” – Stephen R. Covey

Bonus Stephen Covey Quote

Bonus: Here’s one last and final quote from our collection of Stephen Covey quotes. It’s one of our favorites, which is why we’ve decided to highlight it here. They’re certainly great words to live by. Enjoy!

“Everyone Chooses One Or Two Roads In Life – The Old And The Young, The Rich And The Poor, Men And Women Alike. One Is The Broad, Well-traveled Road To Mediocrity, The Other The Road To Greatness And Meaning.”

– stephen covey –

Final Thoughts

There you have it, the best of the best Stephen Covey quotes that could help you change your life. If you’ve yet to read his best-selling book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, we highly recommend it.

With that being said, if you enjoyed this page, please share it and bookmark it. And we hope you’ll leverage Stephen Covey’s wise words to reinvent yourself, find more success, and create the results you desire most from life.

Till next time,

STRIVE

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Self-Improvement

BEST UPSKILLING PLATFORMS TO HELP YOU INCREASE YOUR SALARY

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If you’re looking for a way to increase your salary, get a raise, or get that promotion you’ve been eyeing, then upskilling should be on your radar. If it is, then this page is for you, as it covers the best upskilling platforms that can level up your earning power. Choosing the right one is crucial to maximizing your time and money, which is why’ve created this guide that ranks and reviews the best upskilling platforms for you.

Best Overall
coursera upskilling platform
COURSERA

for beginners + affordable.

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Best For Techies
udacity upskilling platform
UDACITY

hiqh quality + well respected.

Learn More
Best For Workforce
edX upskilling platform
EDX

for working professionals.

Learn More

We’re reader supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

In this guide, we rank and review the 3 best upskilling platforms. Certainly, there are many additional platforms to consider; however, per our research, these are the best of the best.

We may add more to the list at a later date; but we wanted to save you time so that you can pick the best one for yourself, start upskilling.

That said, if you’re ready to learn more about the best upskilling platforms that will actually help you increase your income, let’s get started:

BEST UPSKILLING PLATFORMS

best upskilling platforms

1. Coursera

Coursera is our top pick when it comes to upskilling platforms. One of the reasons we love their platform so much is because of the variety of courses they offer (over 5,800).

Another reason we love them is because of the learn for free option. With Coursera, you can take almost any course they offer for free.

Of course, there is a catch. If you go the free route, you get the skills but not the credentials.

So, you only have to pay if you want the certification or grading that comes with the program. The great news is the program is extremely affordable.

Coursera Pricing:

Speaking of affordability, let’s talk about Coursera’s pricing. They offer their students guided projects, which start at around $9.99.

Coursera also offers professional certificates which start at roughly $39.99 per month. If you plan to use their site heavily, you can opt for an entire year’s worth of courses for approximately $399, which is roughly $81 dollars cheaper if you used them for a whole year on their monthly plan.

One last thing on pricing is that they even offer degrees, which start at $9,000.

Here’s What People Are Saying About Coursera:

  • “I have nothing but good things to say about my experience with Coursera. I have loved the learning I have been able to do and look forward to taking many more classes with them.” – Denise
  • “Coursera is the best learning platform that offers high-quality courses. There are no deadlines or restrictions to finish the studies. You can learn from anywhere, at any time, on any device. We can access multiple courses at a time. We can catch up on material at our convenience.” – Nalli N.
  • “I have been using coursera to learn R and data analysis skills. This has proven so helpful in learning this through step by step instructions and has given me some certificates that make strong additions to a resume.” – Andrew J.

Key Features:

Some of the key features I liked best about Coursera, is that they offer such a vast array of high demand skills to choose from. They offer data analytics, digital marketing, project management, cyber security, you name it.

Another key feature was that fact that they had partnerships with major Universities. This added credibility to their programs, and it instilled confidence that what I was learning was useful.

Currently, Coursera partners with over 300 different universities and companies, to create the high-quality courses they offers. Here’s a small sample, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg:

Overall Feeling:

Overall, I recommend the Coursera platform as my #1 choice for upskilling platforms. It’s affordable, credible, and can be done at your own pace.

I also love the fact that if you finish your courses early, you can actually save money when using the monthly plans.

Hands down, this platform can help you learn key skills that employers want. And it can help you gain the certifications and technical know-how to level up your income and salary.

TRY COURSERA

2. Udacity

Udacity is a powerhouse when it comes to digital upskilling. They started out as a company that offered free AI classes back in 2011 via Sandford University.

Udacity is a top upskilling platform

The demand for their courses grew so fast, that they decided to pivot and create a platform that offered their transformative education to more people. Now, they’re a leader in the creation of job-ready digital skills that empower people all over the world.

Udacity Pricing:

Udacity offers a handful of programs to students free of charge. And they are high quality programs too.

But they also offer some high-powered courses and certification programs. Their flagship certifications are known as nanodegrees.

You can pay monthly as you move through their courses at your own pace for $399 per month.

Or you can opt to purchase three month’s worth of access to their platform for $1,017. Why three months? Because that’s how long it typically takes to complete their programs.

That said, some of their more advanced programs, like Data Science or Machine Learning offer 4 and 5 month packages, and charge $1,356 and $1,695, respectively.

Here’s What People Are Saying About Udacity:

  • “Excellent Program! I was a bit hesitant in enrolling at first but I’m glad I did it. The content is well structured and the pace at which you take in new information is just right.” – Tamim N.
  • “Excellent program so far. The exercise notebooks were good and demanding enough to require the learner to really internalize new concepts and look things up on their own as they would on the job.” – Tom
  • “I am super satisfied with the program. The schedule is totally relatable and realistic, and the videos are well balanced between explaining what is necessary and not making it too basic.” – Elisa

Key Features:

Udacity offers up courses that provide its users with knowledge that is highly relevant in the marketplace. In fact, most of their programs strive to provide its students with the skills needed to achieve $100K+ tech careers. On top of that, their aim is to do it in as little as 3 months.

Another great feature of Udacity is that their programs are co-created with some of the world’s most innovative companies. This gives every graduate of their program a real advantage in the marketplace.

One last great feature is their mentorship program. Udacity provides 24/7 access to mentors who are typically on standby to help you with your work, should you get stuck.

Overall Feeling:

Udacity is a legit upskilling platform. It’s not a program for the uninitiated. It’s for serious seekers of knowledge, and money-making skills.

As such, my overall assessment of Udacity is high. The only reason I’d recommend Coursera over this program is because of the price point.

However, if you’re seeking to jump into a completely new career in the shortest amount of time possible, then this program is preferable. It’s also preferable if you’re looking to grow any ai, deep learning, or programming-related skillset rapidly.

That said, Udacity is worth trying out.

TRY UDACITY

3. EdX

EdX has been around since 2012. It was founded by scientists from MIT and Harvard as an experiment to provide every single person the opportunity to acquire the world’s best education.

The organization’s aim these days is to transform ambition into impact by connect millions of people with affordable, career relevant opportunities.

EdX offers over 4,200 online courses, 300+ programs, and partners with educational heavyweights like Harvard, MIT, Boston University. They also partner with corporate heavyweights like Google, IBM, and Meta.

That said, edX is for serious learners who are looking to gain verifiable certifications, or have their courses count towards credit at more formal educational institutions like college or universities.

EdX Pricing:

Again, edX offers some serious educational and upskilling options. You can get a master’s degree through them with a starting point of around $10K, that can dip into the mid $20K range.

They also offer micromaster’s programs which are around $600 to $1500.

Then they have microbachelor’s programs which similarly priced to the micromaster’s program.

As mentioned earlier, edX also offers certification programs. And their price point starts as low as $150, but can get up into the $1000’s depending on the program.

If you’re looking for college credit, they offer a program called the Global Freshman Academey which charges around $200 per credit.

Here’s What People Are Saying About EdX:

  • “Honestly edX is my favourite site to do these courses. The fee you pay for the certificates if you go that route are indefinite, so you can do the course as you please. Other sites you would have to pay monthly and depending if you don’t complete within the month you’ll only pay more. So, price wise really good.” – edX Learner
  • “I have been a student since the early days of edX. I have learned so much from high-quality courses delivered on the edX platform, taught by top-notch universities and industry partners all over the world. In the COVID19 #stayhome season, edX gave more learning opportunities. I cannot recommend edX enough!” – David
  • “The MIT courses were excellent. The same content as the university but broken into digestible chunks with concept checks along the way. I found the deadlines challenging but not overwhelming. Also, so much more convenient than commuting to a campus.” – edX Learner

Key Features:

EdX is easy to use, convenient, available on all platforms, and provides employer-recognized certifications. They also offer many free courses if you want to brush up on any subjects or skillsets that will help you be more valuable at work.

This upskilling platform does lean more towards higher education than the other programs; however, if you’re considering going back to school anyway, this platform makes sense to jump onto.

Here are just a handful of their high-caliber educational partners:

Overall Feeling:

Overall, you can’t go wrong with using edX, especially if you have goals to acquire a credential in the form of a degree. They’re affordable, well-known, a provide solid career-based courses, certifications, and degrees that can help you move up in the world.

That said, navigating through the portal and through your courses can seem “clunky” at times. Some students have also mentioned that their experience was slightly complicated.

All in all, however, they are worth giving a try, especially since they offer a 14 day free trial.

TRY OUT EDX

Upskilling Runners-Up

Here are some runners-up worthy of your consideration as-well. They are not our top three, but they are still solid upskilling platforms that you can leverage to level-up your skillsets.

One platform I want to call out about his list is SkillShare. They are geared towards improving your creative/design skills. So, if that’s a skill you want to improve upon, they are certainly worth looking into.

Final Thoughts

If you’re serious about changing your life, or improving your financial situation, then it is imperative that you focus on upskilling. The only way an employer is going to pay you more money is if you put in more time with the company (which is slow upskilling), or you bring more to the table skill-wise by learning new skills.

When choosing a platform, consider the exact features you need, what your budget can handle, and what your overall end goal is before making your final decision.

“Your Success Will Always Be Measured By The Quality And Quantity Of Service You Render.” –

– Earl Nightingale –

That said, the platforms outlined here are some of the best. They are all relatively affordable, provide high quality learning, and offer certifications that most employers acknowledge and respect.

If you’re ready to increase your skills and potentially your salary, give one of these upskilling platforms a try.

Till you reach your aims,

STRIVE

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Motivation

HOW TO STOP MAKING EXCUSES

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How to Stop Making Excuses For Yourself

We all make excuses from time to time. Some people make a whole lot of excuses, while others make little to none. And if you’ve found yourself hopping from one excuse to another more often than you’d like, then this article on how to stop making excuses is for you.

With that being said, if you’re ready to find out how it’s possible to make excuse-making a thing of the past, let’s dive in to find out.

HOW TO STOP MAKING EXCUSES

How to Stop Making Excuses

Do you find yourself saying No to your goals more often than you say Yes? Do you find that when you do follow through with something, you have to continuously make excuses as to why it took so long?

While excuses may seem harmless at first, they only hold you back from achieving your goals and dreams.

The sooner you eliminate them from your life, the sooner you can become the person that accomplishes everything they want in life.

stop making excuses

I have good news and bad news… there comes a time in your life when you feel the need to make a shift from making excuses to taking responsibility. And it is never too late to make a change for the better!

Whatever age or phase of your life you may be in, when you stop making excuses, you start to grow exponentially as a person. You start to move from being reactive (nothing is happening in my life) to being proactive (I am capable and responsible to improve this thing in my life).

Yet, beware! Going from making excuses to taking responsibility is not automatic; baby steps & careful effort will get you there. Here are the fundamental tools that will help you change your life with this transition:

To Stop Making Excuses, Dive Deeper

Have you ever wondered why people make excuses? Is it entirely because everyone is too lazy or too irresponsible? Maybe! But here’s the catch: Often, making excuses is a superficial reaction to something deeper that is going on inside us.

We are complex beings and sometimes we hide a lot of our emotions, such as fear, anger, guilt, or stress, under the surface.

Figure out why you’re making an excuse. Write it down. See what you need to process that emotion in a healthy way.

Part of what allows us to make so many excuses is that we don’t always realize how much we use them. Think about your day and note five common reasons you didn’t complete a task or reach a goal. 

When you do it, you might notice something like you can’t work out today because you only had an hour, you didn’t go grocery shopping because you didn’t feel like it, or you couldn’t clean your house yesterday because your sister needed help with her homework. 

You can probably identify your own specific types of excuses after doing something similar for yourself.

By cutting out common excuses—I am too busy, I don’t have enough money, I deserve a break—we give ourselves permission to get things done. 

By setting new boundaries—I will work out at 6 p.m., If I get paid tomorrow then I am allowed to go buy groceries on Sunday morning—we demonstrate our commitment to being successful. 

Sometimes all it takes is recognizing that, instead of being too tired to exercise, maybe you are just not in a hurry right now. Recognizing these patterns in your behavior helps cut through the confusion and allows you to refocus your energy on getting things done right away.

Decide Where You Want to Go

Start with a problem that you want to solve or a goal that you want to achieve. Then ask yourself what you need in order to get there—goals, tools, skills?

Don’t hesitate to do a little research on how to set clear goals. Once you’ve done your research, get to work on making them happen. 

Break down your long-term objective into smaller steps and use your milestones as motivation along the way. You might find it helpful to keep a journal or start a milestone checklist of things you’ve accomplished so far and check off each item when it’s done. 

Celebrate your successes no matter how small!

Related: Lame Excuses That Kill Success

To Stop Making Excuses Take Action

Are you someone who finds yourself making excuses very frequently about something? Here’s a powerful way to stop doing that: Take action, and it doesn’t matter how small the action is. 

When you take that first step, that will help you stop making excuses. Small action steps on a daily basis are an effective way to eliminate those excuses.

stop making excuses and execute

Need to write something? Open the document or your notebook and write the first line. Starting a new fitness program? Do one exercise for one minute. Thinking about a change for the better in your career? Write down one reason why you want this.

Set Goals

Taking action is a gradual process. In order to get rid of the vicious cycle of making excuses, set small goals. These goals will act like benchmarks that will give you the necessary push & motivation to keep going. Small steps and small rewards will add up to great results.

So even if the results are too small to be visible right now, your results will be visible over time. I promise!

Embrace The Journey

The process to stop making excuses is one that asks you to challenge yourself to be a better person. It’s worth it so you can enjoy a better life! It is a step-up call that you’re planning to answer. Right?

Stepping out of your comfort zone is totally OK, just remind yourself to enjoy the adventure. And you don’t have to succeed the first time. But every time you try, you will be a step closer to success and closer to your results.

So, instead of being afraid of the changes, embrace the fear & emotions that come with them completely. In many cases, you can re-label the fear as excitement. And let go of any judgment.

Just observe & release. 

Related: No Excuses Quotes

Leverage Your Support Systems

Here’s the thing about making changes in life. Many times we assume (wrongly!) that we have to win all our battles alone. When it comes to stop making excuses, you will benefit from some objective feedback from a wise & neutral person.

This solves the stickiness and gets you into your new, improve habit patterns. If you feel like things are a bit too overwhelming for you right now, trust yourself to reach out.

Remember, all you need to stop making excuses is take that first step. Go make things happen!

Till next time,

STRIVE

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Self-Improvement

10 BEST WAYS TO DEVELOP A STRONG WORK ETHIC

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how to develop a strong work ethic

Having a good work ethic is something that will aid you in getting further in life. There are countless success stories out there, from celebrities, athletes, and high-powered CEOs, who credit most, if not all of their success, to their strong work ethic. So, that’s what we aim to touch on in this article, how to develop a strong work ethic.

Before we dive into that however, let’s quickly cover the meaning of what having a strong work ethic is. So, here we go:

One’s work ethic is how one approaches and tackles tasks within one’s job and ultimately their career. Having a good work ethic sets apart those who reach the success they desire and those who fall short. Some attributes include punctuality, prioritizing, and professionalism. But by and large, having a good work ethic comes down to believing and that your extra efforts, and your hard work will lead to some form of benefit or reward.

With that being said, no matter which sphere you work in or what your profession may be, there is an emphasis placed on the need for a good work ethic in all working environments.

This is not merely to be found in employees, but is often something good employers and strong leaders should show through example. So, without further delay, let’s dive in and examine some of best steps you can take to develop a strong work ethic for yourself going forward:

HOW TO DEVELOP A STRONG WORK ETHIC

how to develop a strong work ethic

1. Punctuality And Good Time Management

Other things could be placed before this point, but the importance of showing up on time cannot be stressed enough. When it comes to arriving for work or attending meetings, it is of the utmost importance that you show up on time.

This is because it shows that you are invested in what you are doing, and that you are dependable. If you tend to arrive just on time or a few minutes late, be aware that others may translate this as your being lazy or having little desire for your job.

Thus we would recommend examining what is causing you to lack punctuality and then seeking out how to address the issue. This may be as simple as going to bed earlier and waking up half an hour earlier at the start of each day.

Good punctuality and good time management is part and parcel of having a good work ethic.

2. Prioritizing Of Work And Tasks

We know that we can sometimes get overwhelmed by the amount of work that one has before them, and often our instinct is to grab onto the first thing at hand. But, if you can fight off this urge, and aim to prioritize your work and tasks, your productivity will skyrocket.

This is something where not only will it make you more productive, but it will also make your life much easier as well as stress-free.

Your employer or boss will often inform you of what tasks are of higher priority, but this is not always the case. Therefore, it is up to you to create a strategic plan that outlines what is of most importance.

You know your work, and what it entails better than anyone else. So give your tasks some thought when prioritizing them, and then just tick off the work as you go.

This approach will also aid in organizing your life and create less hassle and confusion throughout your days. And trust us, your employer will noticed the difference in you and your work.

3. Taking Initiative

If you really want to know how to improve work ethic, pay attention to this tip about initiative. Here’s why, because in any line of work, the job is never truly done. There will always be more to do, and we can also continually improve and tweak the way we work.

Thus it is essential to be someone who does not merely sit back and wait to be told what to do. If you know that something is required, yet you have not been asked to do it, step out and offer to get started on the task.

If you have ideas on how productivity or general workflow can be improved or any other concepts that you feel may benefit your company and workplace, do not hesitate to approach your boss to make suggestions.

Leadership and good managers are always on the look out for the team member who shows initiative. So decide to be “that person” and you’ll become known for showing initiative as well as the person who has a strong work ethic.

Related: Ways to Take More Action

4. Set Goals For Yourself

To ensure the completion of tasks promptly and to a desirable quality, one needs to have goals set in place. These goals and objectives should be clear and precise, and not too vague.

Before starting on a task, be sure that you know what the requirements are, and if you are unsure, we advise you to query any aspects thereof.

You should have goals that are measurable in some way or form, even if it is merely the timeframe in which to complete them. Your goals should challenge you, but ought to be realistic. Once you know what you need to execute, then you are ready to get started.

5. Take Pride In Your Work

So you are on time, you have prioritized the work, taken initiative, and have clear goals in mind. Now it is time to knuckle down and get the job done. You do not merely want to do the work, but instead, you want to deliver a final product that you can be proud of and which will hopefully even gain you praise.

In other words, take ownership of what you do, and how you do it.

Even at times when you are having a bad day, giving your best at all times is a skill that is sometimes hard to implement consistently, but it can be done. So always be sure to give your best and know that what you offer is commendable.

6. Do Not Fear Making Mistakes

We all slip up and fail at some time in our lives, but that is not the issue. What we are concerned about is how we react to such stumbling blocks. Those with a good work ethic will take the fall with a pinch of salt, dust themselves off and get back on their feet, ready to move on.

If you look at individuals who have achieved greatness, they would be lying if they said they had not failed repeatedly. What sets them apart from others, though, is that they did not let it get to them. So, embrace your failures, learn the lesson and move on to the next task.

7. Professional Behavior And Presentation

Professionalism manifests itself in various ways, from how one carries themselves, appearance, communication with others, and overall conduct. You want to be someone who exudes discipline, trustworthiness, and loyalty, as well as a longing for self-betterment.

An excellent place to start is being respectful towards others and yourself and taking your job seriously. That is not to say that you cannot have fun and enjoy yourself in your work, but realize its importance and constantly strive for excellence.

8. Learn How To Work Well In A Team

A team player will shine in most working environments. There are few jobs out there where you will be working in isolation. So it is a good idea to harness your interpersonal skills and learn how to interact with people in a professional, courteous, and friendly manner.

Team players know how to reach compromises with others, and they realize that they are not the only ones who’s voice has merit. Professionalism really comes into play here as well, and so does learning how best to handle situations where conflict may arise.

So, if you’re serious about improving your work ethic, become obsessed with being a great team player.

9. Eliminate Distractions

In the hectic and fast-paced world in which we live and with the advent of things like social media and extensive means of communication, it’s no wonder there are so many distractions. When it comes to working, you need to focus on the job at hand, and you need to ensure that your personal life does not creep in and draw you from your work.

We are bombarded constantly with notifications and messages, including work-related ones. But, we need to bear the other points in mind our priorities. Why, because people with a good work ethic have their priorities straight. That, and they make sure they focus most of their time on the things that matter.

So set specific times when you will check your emails and such to maintain an uninterrupted workflow. If you can keep your distractions to a minimum, you can ensure your productivity is at its maximum.

10. Maintain A Positive State Of Mind

This one links up with some of the other points, such as not letting failures get to you. If something negative occurs at work, whether that be not meeting a deadline, having a dispute with a colleague, or dealing with a disgruntled boss, try to remain positive.

This is undoubtedly easier in theory, but it does make a massive difference in the end. Do not allow one negative incident set the tone for your whole day. Rather. work through it and then set it aside to tackle what comes next.

Related: Maintaining a Positive State of Mind

Conclusion

We do not all have jobs where we jump out of bed and cannot wait to start the day; this is true. However, by leveraging the work ethic related tips above, you can help yourself have a better experience within the workplace. Here are those tips again in summary to help you internalize them so you can actually improve your work ethic:

  1. Be Punctual
  2. Prioritize Your Tasks
  3. Show Initiative
  4. Set Goals For Yourself
  5. Take Pride In Your Work
  6. Take More Calculated Risks
  7. Strive For Professionalism
  8. Be a Good Team Player
  9. Remove Distractions and Get Focused
  10. Have a Positive Mindset

Without a doubt, you will be surprised at how much of a difference a good work ethic has, not only on your job, but on all aspects of your life.

With that being said, here are a handful of other work ethic resources you can use for encouragement and inspiration to level up your work ethic:

Lastly, you don’t have to work 80+ hours a week, and function off of only 5 hours of sleep every night just to prove you have a good work ethic. To develop a strong work ethic, all you have to do is practice a few of these simple steps daily.

And over time your work ethic will gradually improve. Others will soon take note of the changes, and you may just be pleasantly surprised with all the new opportunities that begin flowing your way.

Till next time,

STRIVE

PS – If you enjoyed this article on how to develop a strong work ethic, then you’ll love these work ethic quotes.

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Self-Improvement

5 ADVANTAGES OF POSITIVE THINKING

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5 Advantages of Positive Thinking

Life’s too short to be a negative thinker. Negative thinking decreases the quality of your life, increases stress, and it actually shortens your lifespan.[1] So, to help you kick that negative habit to the curb, we thought it would be a good idea to address a few advantages of positive thinking, in the hopes that you’ll choose to become one.

Of course, you probably already knew this, considering most of us have been told to stay positive and to think positively since we were kids. But then again, most of us also need from time to time a little reminder to keep us on track to do those things which are best for us.

So, that’s exactly what we intend to do with this article, help you remember the key advantages of positive thinking, so you’ll be more inclined to apply them to your life.

With that said, if you’re ready to strengthen your understanding of the primary benefits of positive thought, so you can get start enjoying them for yourself, then let’s dive right into these key advantages.

TOP 5 ADVANTAGES OF POSITIVE THINKING

5 Advantages of Positive Thinking

1. Better Stress Management in Life

We all deal with stresses of some sort. Stress is after all a part of being human and is something that has to be accepted and dealt with. While it is not always possible to avoid stressors or even to control how much impact they have on our lives, we can control how we react and respond to them.

And believe it or not, striving to stay positive can minimize the negative effects stress has on our lives. Learning to maintain a positive outlook, even during stressful times, can help reduce the mental, emotional, and physical effects stress has.

A great deal of stress for many people comes from situations and events they cannot really do anything about. Therefore, responding to bad situations with a positive focus and intent can help those problems seem less severe and can help them have less impact on us day to day.

In short, staying positive can not only reduce your stress levels, but it can mitigate the negative side effects that stress typically has on our overall health and well-being in both the short and long-term.

2. Improved Levels of Mental Health

One of the key advantages of positive thinking is that it has been shown to directly impact our brains and how they work. Our moods, thought processes, habits, actions, and decisions are all partly based on chemical responses and signals from our brain.

On the other hand, negativity has been shown to cause imbalances with these chemicals, while positivity has been shown to have the opposite effect. It is easy to get swept up into a downward cycle of fear, depression, anxiety, fear, and worry.

One feeds into another and the deeper we sink, the more we feel upset and hopeless.

Thus, seeking out the good in things and events, no matter how small or minor they may seem at the time, can help keep you from sinking into a downward spiral of negative thought and its negative consequences.

3. Better Overall Physical Health

Aside from becoming happier and healthier due to keeping a positive outlook, one of the main benefits of positive thinking can be observed in the physical way a brighter outlook impacts us.

So much of our physical health has now been shown to be directly tied to our mental wellbeing and status.

Keeping your thoughts positive can also help you stay healthier in a very real sense. Stress has a huge impact on our physical bodies, and not in a good way! It can cause issues with blood pressure and blood sugar, it can affect the heart and the brain, and it can make us sick as it weakens the immune system over time.

Thus, keeping a positive outlook day in and day out makes it easier for us to stay healthy and physically fit, and which makes it much easier to live our best possible lives.

4. Improved Career and Job Performance

The advantages of positive thinking are vast and cover many aspects of life, including our career path and our jobs. The same positive effects that we can see when we maintain a positive outlook in our personal lives can also be experienced in our work life as well.

Positivity makes it easier for us to think and plan accordingly to deal with issues and problems that may arise. It can also help us better relate to others and work alongside our co-workers more efficiently.

The positive attitude we emulate can also rub off on others in the office or on the jobsite and make the entire work environment a little better and a bit more tolerable.

Related: State of Mind Poem

5. Better Social and Personal Life

The final example of the benefits of positive thinking that you can enjoy in your busy day-to-day life is an improved social reputation and greater sense of self-confidence. Think about those people in your life who you admire and respect.

Chances are, they are very positively minded people too- negative and depressed people usually aren’t very motivational or encouraging to be around.

Fostering a positive outlook and attitude can help draw people to you and make you more likable in your social circles. You can also benefit on a personal level as you enjoy a great sense of self-worth and have opportunity to be good to yourself at the same time.

Positivity attracts, negativity repels. So, if you want to improve your social life, be sure to leverage this last of the 5 advantages of positive thinking.

Bonus Advantage: Good Living

Here’s is one last advantage, but it is certainly not the least. In fact, it’s the ultimate reason we should all strive to improve how we think.

When you incorporate all 5 advantages of positive thinking it ultimately leads to a good life. That’s right, good living is the result of positive thinking.

Having less stress, better mental health, stronger physical health, a good career and a thriving social life equals good living. So, if living the good life is goal of of yours, then aiming to be a positive thinker should be a major goal of yours as well.

Final Thoughts on the Benefits of Positive Thinking

While there is always such as thing as too much of a good thing, positivity is something we all should strive for as much as possible. No, you shouldn’t be so blinded by positivity that you put yourself or others in danger, but a strong positive outlook on life can have surprising benefits.

If you’re still not convinced, be sure to check out these supporting resource about the benefits of positive attitude. It will certainly help.

That said, positive psychology has recently emerged as a new niche focus and area of study within the scientific field of human psychology. Sure, it can be difficult to get started at times, and no one person can maintain a totally positive outlook at all times.

But, when the positivity in your life outweighs the negativity, it can have a truly game-changing impact on your life.

Till you reach your aims,

STRIVE

PS – If you enjoyed this article on the 5 advantages of positive thinking, then you’ll likely love these quotes related to the power of keeping a positive attitude.

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Mindset

25 REALLY GOOD MANTRAS TO LIVE BY TO LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE

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Good Mantras to Live By

Have you heard of mantras but you’re still not sure exactly what they are? Have you ever been curious as to how exactly you should go about using them, and which are the best to use? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this article will be helpful to you. Our goal is to answer these questions for you, and then inspire you to take up the practice of using mantras yourself. Why? Because we believe mantras can help you maintain a positive state of mind, help live your best life, and assist you in finding much more success in the process.

In addition to this, we also want to share with you some of the best mantras you can put to use that will aid you in seeing results quickly. So, with that being said, if you’re ready to learn more about exactly what mantras are, whether or not you should give them a shot, along with a few good mantras to live by, then let’s dive in:

What Are Mantras?

Mantras have been put to use for thousands of years by Yogis stemming from the Indo-Asian region of the world. The word itself, tells us exactly what a mantra is, and how it is to be used. Mantra is a Sankskrit word, that is derived from two different words. Manas in Sanksrit translates to mind, and tra translates to tool. Thus, the word itself translates to Mind Tool.

And that is exactly what a mantra is, it is a mind tool. It’s a mind tool that can help you essentially force your mind into focused attention. Using mantras can help you alter your mental state (in a positive way) by calming your mind, clearing out the distracting mental “noise” that we all experience.

However, in it’s simplest form, a mantra is essentially a statement or slogan that is repeated frequently. They can also be considered sacred and a form of prayer or meditation. Of course, when mantras are used properly, they can and do lead to powerful positive results.

Benefits of Mantras

As such, using mantras can lead to having a calmer demeanor that allows for us to better cope with all the stress that life inevitably throws our way. But more importantly, using mantras can help us quite our minds and get us to focus on the good in life, vs. the bad.

With that being said, here’s a more comprehensive list of the benefits of using mantras:

  • Improved Sense of Calm
  • Lowers Stress
  • Increased Positivity
  • More Compassion
  • Higher Sense of Self-Awareness
  • Improved Focus
  • Improved Brain Health

You can gain a more in depth look on the vast science of sound and the science of mantras by reading this U.S. News article on The Science of Mantra or this Scientific Analysis of Mantra-Based Meditation.

Who Uses Mantras?

Mantras can be used by pretty much anyone in any walk of life. They tend to be used by people who are keen to bringing more balance to their life, as well as those who have a focus on living a low-stress life.

On top of this, mantras are used by many successful people. Of course successful people are not successful because they simply used mantras. Rather, they are successful because they employ tools and resources that help them be at their best in every way. And their use of mantras is no exception.

With that being said, one thing to note about why successful people use mantras, is because of their power to ensure a positive inner dialogue is maintained. In short, successful people typically use mantras to ensure they have positive inner dialogues.

BEST MANTRAS TO LIVE BY

Without a doubt, you don’t have to be a big believer in any new-age spiritual doctrines or esoteric philosophies to put the power of mantras to work for you. As mentioned above, many successful people from all walks of life have used mantras on their journey towards improving their lives and finding more success.

Mantras helped them improve their mindsets and effectively employ one of the greatest secrets of success – namely that “We become what we think about.”

With that being said, here is a list of some of the best mantras for beginners by subject area. Each subject area will include a few sample mantras to help you get started. But if you want access to a more comprehensive list of mantras, you’ll want to use the links provided at the end of each are to go deeper.

Good Mantras to Live By For Motivation & Success

First on our list are the best mantras for motivation and success. This set of mantras are extremely effective at helping people get motivated and take action on those tasks, events, and actions that they must do to move the needle forward on their goals.

mantras to live by for success

Here’s are three great mantra samples related to success and motivation:

1. “Action Conquers Fear.”

2. “Work Harder.”

3. “I am Capable. I am Strong.”

4. “Wake Up. Kick Ass. Be Kind.”

5. “You Didn’t Come This Far To Only Come This Far.”

However, if you’re looking for a great set of mantras to increase your motivation and get you moving towards your dreams, then you’ll want to leverage the full set of these mantras, which can be found here: Best Mantras For Success

Best Mantras For Abundance & Prosperity

Our next best set of mantras that we recommend are mantras related to abundance and prosperity. These are truly good mantras to live by, because they will help you improve your mindset on abundance and get you feeling better about all that you have in life.

mantras to live by for abundance

These mantras are a great starting point for anyone wanting to shift their mindset from one of lack, to one of appreciation and positivity for all the good you have in your life. They are also great at helping you open your mind to receiving more of the good that is bound to come your way.

Here are three great examples:

1. “I Claim My Abundance, Now.”

2. “I Am Open To Abundance.”

3. “Prosperity Flows to Me.”

4. “All I Need And More Is On It’s Way Now.”

5. “I am So Happy And Grateful That Abundance Flows To Me In Increasing Quantities Daily.”

With that being said, if you want to learn more about these specific mantras, and would like the full list, with explanations of each, go here: Best Mantras for Abundance

Good Mantras to Live By For Discipline

This next set of highly recommended mantras is related to self-discipline. These discipline mantras are actually affirmations; however, they can be used as mantras. All you have to do is pick the one that resonates most with you and then spend your meditation/mantra session repeating those specific words.

discipline related mantras to live by

The main thing to remember when using one of these affirmations as a discipline mantra, is to be vigilant in repeating the phrase with absolute focus. Doing so will help you tap the power of sound to calm and focus your mind, while doubly serving you as a way to reprogram your mind to be more disciplined.

Here are three of the best mantras for discipline:

1. “I Am Disciplined.”

2. “I Am In Control.”

3. “I Am Persistent.”

4. “Discipline Is The Way.”

5. “I Don’t Stop When I am Tired, I Stop When I am Done.”

Finally, here is a complete list you can review to pick your discipline mantra from: Good Mantras to Live By for Discipline

Best Mantras For Money & Wealth

There are mantras that exist to help just about every aspect of our lives. And of course, one of the areas many people would love to be able to influence most is their money situation. As such, this set of affirmations will help you not just feel good about you prosperity levels, but they’ll help you get your mind right about growing your wealth.

Best Mantras for Wealth

One of the core ideas behind using wealth related mantras, is to get your vibe aligned with having excess money. As such, you’ll want to use a mantra that helps you focus on the feeling of being millionaire or billionaire rich.

Here are three great mantras related to weatlh:

1. “I Am Wealthy.”

2. “Fortune Flows To Me Freely”

3. “I Am Financially Free.”

4. “Large Sums Of Money Come To Me Quickly And Easily.”

5. “Financial Success Is My Birthright.”

For a larger sample of the best mantras for wealth you can go here: Best Mantras for Wealth

Good Mantras For Happiness & Positivity

Last on our list of really good mantras to live by, is related to that extremely elusive state; happiness. As mentioned above, mantras come in all shapes and sizes and can cover the gamut on just about every area of our lives. And of course, our list would not be complete if we didn’t include a list of mantras that would help you improve your focus around the subject of happiness.

Best Mantras for Happiness

These happiness mantras will help you get results when it comes to your happiness levels. On top of this, they’ll also help you focus your attention on feelings of joy and positivity in general.

Here’s a small sample:

1. “I Am Strong.”

2. “I Am Enough.”

3. “I Love Myself.”

4. “I Choose Happiness.”

5. ” I Embrace The Beauty Of Life.”

Again, for a more exhaustive list, give these mantras a shot: Best Mantras for Happiness

Final Thoughts

There you have it, some of the best mantras for beginners and seasoned mantras users alike. We’ve provided a handful of helpful insights on exactly what mantras are, how they can benefit you, why you should use them. But most importantly, we provided you with a list of the best mantras to use to get started.

Remember, neuroscience has proven that at the very least, mantras will improve your mental state and help you feel less-stressed. And if the law-of-attraction folks are correct, then there is much more to be gained from their use. So, if you’re still on the fence, give them a shot for at least a month. We have hunch you’ll be with the results you get.

Till then,

STRIVE

PS – If you enjoyed our list of good mantras to live by, then you’ll certainly find value in this resource that can help you better understand how mantras are different from affirmations: What Are Affirmations?

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