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8 Ideas for Finding More Joy

Have you ever climbed into bed wondering, “Where did the day go?” Have you ever felt you were on a treadmill–trying to go “somewhere” that never arrives? In our busy world, we often find ourselves living on auto-pilot with one day blurring into the next.

Several years ago, I implemented the “8 Challenge Life Principles” into my daily routine. These Principles take very little time and are so simple to implement–you could start using them tomorrow if you like. The Principles have allowed me to realize great contentment, happiness and meaning in every day. The days of auto-pilot living have been replaced by purpose-filled living through the application of the Challenge Life Principles.

Challenge Life Principle 1 ~ Good Morning: The first thing I do after opening my eyes each morning is say (aloud or to myself):  Something great is going to happen today–I can’t wait to see what it is! When I started this practice, it was a bit awkward–perhaps, because I was at a low-point and didn’t fully believe the words. I said it anyway. Every day! Soon after, great things started happening.  Why? … Because I was looking for them!

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10 Cleaning Tips

HTML clipboardCracks and Crevices: Use paintbrushes and Q-tips for hard to reach cracks and crevices.

Make Cleaning Fun: Transform cleaning from chore to fun with an incentive!  Find a few books on audio that you would like to listen to–reserve listening to them for cleaning time.

Sticky Situations: To remove gum from a surface, press ice against it to harden and then use a buttered knife to loosen.

Invisible Ink: Kids get a bit wild on the last craft project?  Use hairspray to remove magic marker ink from surfaces.

Murphy’s Law:  It isn’t Murphy’s Law you are thinking of!  I’m  talking Murphy’s Oil Soap!  Used most often on wood floors and furniture, this is a great choice for all around cleaning.  It is a natural cleaner that really goes into the crevices and removes direct versus laying a filmy shine on top of a surface as many other cleaners do.  This cleaner has been on the market for 90+ years and I often use it to clean counters, walls, etc

Shine and Sparkle: An old toothbrush and toothpaste work wonders for cleaning jewelry.

Not only for the dishwasher: Dissolve 1/4 cup of dishwasher detergent in a gallon of very hot water.  Let cool a bit so you can handle.  Use on refrigerators, stoves, walls, floors, glass-you can use this solution on just about anything!  Test a small area first if in doubt.  Wipe   with a dry cloth after cleaning.

Leave film in your camera, not on your dishes: Run a cup of white vinegar through a full cycle in an empty dishwasher to remove excess film.

Spotted sinks: To clean light stains from a sink, rub with a fresh cut lemon; for rust stains and darker stains create a paste from borax and lemon juice and scrub stain.

Sponge Sterilization: To sterilize your kitchen sponge heat it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. (Make sure to keep an eye on it!)

Tags: cleaning, tips

Create More Energy in Your Life Part 2

In last week’s challenge we explored physical and emotional energy. This week, we turn our focus to two other types of energy–Productive and Spiritual. If you missed the first article, you can view it by clicking here.

Types of Energy:

Physical energy: influenced by our daily lifestyle habits, food intake and fitness levels

Emotional Energy: influenced by our thoughts and attitude

Productive Energy: influenced by our actions and mindset

Spiritual Energy: influenced by our connections and self-care

Productive Energy

One of my goal group participants was very surprised at her progress during her first week in our annual goal class. While prior to the class she had felt unable to accomplish the simplest tasks, she now found herself completing her goal-centered to do lists — and more! “How does that work?” she asked in a post to the support board.

This member discovered “productive energy.” Aristotle said, “We become what we repeatedly do, excellence then is not an act, but a habit.” When we repeatedly step forward, we propel ourselves forward even further. When we continually stand still, we dig a bigger rut. When we continually move backward, we dig a big hole.

To truly understand productive energy, think of a time when you were fatigued and then became inspired to do something. Perhaps it was reading a book, writing, or organizing, or completing pages in a scrapbook. Before you knew it, you looked at the clock and hours had passed–even though you were tired earlier. What changed? Well you didn’t eat anything or exercise. The change was in what you were doing. Your attitude and productiveness elevated - thus elevating your performance and your energy.

Make a list … and make sure to check it twice: The first step in building productive energy is to be focused on the right track. Have a clear list of what you want to accomplish with clear and attainable timelines. Make sure to star three items for the day that will allow you to feel good about the day regardless of what bumps pop up in your path.

Recharge: In order to be productive, you must have balance and that means learning what you personally need to recharge. Some people need quiet time each day, others just need a good night’s rest. Discover what helps you recharge and work that it into your to-do lists.

Forget revving your engine and just go… The great thing about productive energy is you don’t have to prepare or spend a lot of time thinking about it. Often we over-think and would be much better off following the Nike slogan. Push yourself over inaction and you’ll discover that productive energy is ready and waiting for you whenever you need it.

Put it into Practice: Read through these four tips and “star” which seems to speak to you the most as a way to increase your Production Energy. Schedule time to work in that area this month.

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Create More Energy in Your Life Part One

Your Weekly Challenge
Create More Energy in Your Life - Part 1 of 2

When we are young we have too much of it, when we are older we can’t get enough of it. What really is “energy” and how can we create energy in our own lives? Do we have to keep waiting for energy-filled days or are there proactive steps we can take to create more energy? The good news is that there are proactive steps to create more energy. The even better news is that I am going to share a few!

One common mistake people make is thinking that the only way to get more energy is to create healthy lifestyle changes that revolve around food and fitness. While food and fitness do dramatically influence energy–they are far from the only energy factors. Here are the four energy factors I explore in my High Energy Living Course.

Types of Energy:

Physical energy: influenced by our daily lifestyle habits, food intake and fitness levels

Emotional Energy: influenced by our thoughts and attitude

Productive Energy: influenced by our actions and mindset

Spiritual Energy: influenced by our connections and self-care

Emotional Energy and “The Second Wind”

Have you ever been really tired and then pushed yourself to go do something anyway? Perhaps it was a dinner with a friend or attending a talk or lecture? Somewhere inside that period, the tiredness disappears and is replaced by what we often call “a second wind.” That “second wind” is energy that you are producing. It isn’t something you have to wait for, you can produce that energy at any time once you understand the steps that created it in the first place.

Discovering emotional energy: This energy is derived from information or events that spark  emotion and passion. We receive new information, or hear old information in a new way. Or perhaps we are around someone who emulates energy, and their passion excites the energy within us.

Caution: Remember that energy fluctuates, so as easily as you can build it - you can also destroy it. There is no quicker way to become tired than spending time around negative people or listening to negative news. All stimulus influences our energy one way or the other. Watch for stimulus that are influencing your energy levels negatively. Example: Watching a round of Headline News will catch you up on the day’s Headlines. But does  watching additional programming help or hinder? What about reading? Are your choices uplifting and inspiring more energy or are they energy sappers?

Put it into Practice: To use Emotional Energy in your everyday life, you need to discover what produces this energy for you personally. Create a page in your notebook for listing your energy-producers. Here are a few that are on my list:

1. Read positive feedback or notes I have received from readers.

2. Have coffee, dinner or lunch with someone who I find inspiring.

3. Read a book that I find inspiring or motivational–something that really “speaks” to me.

4. Make sure I start my day off with positive emotional energy through my “Good Morning” routine.

5. Ask myself each morning, “Who do I want to be today?” and then remain personally accountable for being the best “me” possible.

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Tags: energy

We’ve never failed…

“I never failed once. My invention just happened to be a 2,000 step process.” -Thomas Edison

Good morning! I am so glad Thomas Edison kept going, aren’t you? What is something in your life that you have given up on or aren’t pursuing as avidly as you might because it seems too hard or unattainable? What if, like Edison’s, your goal is a 2,000 step process? What if, instead of thinking of your goal as unattainable, you realized how many of those 2,000 steps you have already taken?

 Your Turn: Ask yourself where you have given up or been detoured by the idea of failure. Embrace Edison’s quote and restart and rejuvenate your goal.

 Today’s Affirmation: Failure does not exist, unless I choose to let it.