Stress is something that all of us deal with from time to time but unfortunately, there are times whenever it may get so strong that it can be difficult to handle.  Some of us may even experience anxiety attacks, a very common occurrence in today’s world.  The reality of it is, however, stress, in itself, is not necessarily a bad thing.  As a matter of fact, we need stress in order to deal with situations that come up in our lives that need a bit more attention than usual, just run of the mill, everyday issues. Thing is, although we need it, we also need to learn to control stress.

The problem occurs whenever the stress gets so difficult to handle or appears so often, that it seems to just compound itself.  There comes a time when we are seemingly unable to handle the situation, and eventually, we are going to need to learn how to control the stress otherwise it is going to ruin our lives.

One way that you can do this is by changing your thinking.  I know that sounds rather simplistic, but it is one of the most effective ways for you to be able to handle and control the stress that you are under.

If you are already at breaking point as far as your stress is concerned, it may take a little bit of time to adjust your thinking and benefit from this particular method.  The good news is, you will experience almost immediate results that you will be able to identify with rather quickly.  Simply begin to change the way that you think about stress and to look at your situation in life through a more positive aspect.  It is not necessary, or  probably possible for you to get rid of your stress altogether, that would be counterproductive.  What is necessary, however, is to learn to control stress, and realize that not everything needs to be on your shoulders, and quite honestly, there are some things that you cannot change.

If you set aside the things that you cannot change and stop fretting over them, that will leave you only with the situations or problems that should concern you.  By dealing with them one at a time, considering that the others will have to wait until you get to them, you will be able to eventually get through the list and control stress more effectively.

You may also want to set up specific “YOU” time in order to help to control stressful situations.  If your stress level remains at an elevated state for too long, it can actually affect your health and this can make it more difficult for us to get through our day-to-day activities.  That is why it is a good idea to schedule some stress busting time for yourself, perhaps through going out with friends, or even taking up a sport etc.  Even doing something for ourselves such as this a few times a month can really go a long way in reducing our stress levels.

It’s really just a case of understanding the actual causes of your stress or anxiety, then it becomes far easier to enjoy a better life, apparently without stress… If you are able to do this, it is a method that you can use for the rest of your life to successfully control stress.

The dictionary cites “Inception” as “a beginning of something” and Dicaprio’s character “Cobb” says at one point “A single idea from the human mind can build cities. An idea can transform the world and rewrite all the rules”. An interesting observation or “truism” that many of us are unable to grasp easily…

But why is that? We have all read the history books, read the newspapers, and watch TV, and have seen that “ordinary” people break records and make headlines every day… So why not you (or me)?

Aside from it’s entertainment value, many people gain inspiration from books and movies, whether it be just the story line, how a particular character is portrayed, the soundtrack, or even a spectacular scene. There is also the “concept” or base idea of a book or movie that may inspire you… In this case recognition of the power of the brain’s subconscious abilities.

Yes, it’s only a movie, and the story is fiction… But the premise or idea behind it is true. Everybody possesses potentially tremendous power that they may never discover if they don’t allow themselves to release it, or are not prepared to learn how.

Is that a resource you can afford to ignore? Before you can achieve success in the world, you have to “know” and master your own self. Once you can harness the power of your own mind, you are only limited by your own ambitions…

For a start, you have to be honest with yourself, and realize what sort of person you are. That is, are you someone who thrives and performs better with big challenges and who puts their heart and soul into a certain project… Or, like most, less confident and prefer to tackle projects one step at a time?

Either way, the point is that before you start any new endeavor, you need to know what motivates YOU!

People set their goals differently, depending on their current situation, resources available, physical ability and other factors. You can, however, follow some guidelines to make sure that your goals are credible and possible. Too many individuals set their goals too high unknowingly, only to lose interest and get disappointed for life. So here are some tips on how to set goals and actually ACHIEVE them!

You Must Be Specific!

Goals need to be specific, so that you know which part of the process you’re currently in and the particular ways on how you will achieve them. Most people have goals to get promoted, get rich, improve relationships and the like, but these are very vague and your mind can become confused about what you truly mean. General descriptions usually do not have boundaries, so you always leave room for mistakes and compromise. If you want results that you can be proud of, be specific.

To be specific, you need to include the full details. Write down something like, “I want to get $10,000 by November of this year,” or “I need to become Team Leader of the sales department by next June,” or “I want my kids, Karen and Steve, to go on the school Ski trip this year.” Include the names, the position, the amount, the date and everything else needed to train your mind to start working towards that goal.

Your Goals Must Be Measurable!

Goals need to be measurable so that you can gauge how well you have done lately. To help measure your progress, you should include measurable details. For your job, you can include details such as the number of hours you’re working, the amount you’re earning, the staff you’re handling, etc. For the goal of money, you can include details such as the amount you want to have as a whole, the number of companies or businesses you own, your contact persons, etc. For losing weight, how many lbs lost per week etc. Always have things and items to be measured so you can understand how close you are to getting your goals. If your goal is to earn $10,000 a month, then you know you’re halfway there if you’re already earning $5,000 a month.

Your Goals Must Be Realistic and Attainable!

Only set goals that can possibly be accomplished (by YOU). Some people set goals that are too high to reach, so that they are almost setting up things that are impossible. Make sure you only set objectives that you can reach within a given amount of time, provided the current resources and capabilities you have. Some examples of impossible goals are doubling your salary overnight, getting a promotion higher than your boss’s position, etc. Some goals can be achieved faster compared to others if you have some strengths and strategies to back these up. Always include a strategic plan for big objectives.

Set A Time-Scale!

Set deadlines to achieve your goals, or else you’re never going to finish anything. Stay specific when setting time-lines and schedules. For example, indicate things like “To spend an hour with my wife every day starting tomorrow (indicate exact date and year)”. Setting the exact time and date will spur you to start working on your goals (and sticking to it), instead of putting it off for another available time. Some bigger goals can take years to accomplish, so it is wiser to break these down into smaller objectives, still complete with deadlines. You can then finish everything in a planned sequence to finally reach your biggest original goal.

View From Our Terrace

Some people may think it’s boring, but for a better life, you need to RELAX. Fortunately, with the temperate climate here in Spain, most mornings I can go and sit outside on the terrace with my coffee, and watch the sun come up over the hills opposite. We are also able to watch plenty of wildlife where we are, ranging from eagles and buzzards, to foxes, partridges, and hares… Luckily for them, I’m not into hunting!

I also like to relax out there after a hard day slaving over my computer… In the evenings the “Little Owls” and bats arrive looking for their nightly prey… Also fascinating to watch.

We quite often see eagles flying overhead and last week a “Bonelli’s Eagle” landed about 200 yards in front of the house, looking for a meal (they’re partial to rabbits and partridges)… but he/she was unlucky while I was watching.

We have a fair amount of open land around us, so I don’t have to go very far, and for me, is a better life than the hassle of the city… but if you live in town, you may be surprised how much wildlife there is around you, even if you have to go looking for it on heath or woodland.

If you are looking for ways to relax, you can’t beat going out for a walk in the countryside and actually watching what’s going on. Every country has their own wildlife species whether it’s hedgehogs and badgers in England, or koalas and kangaroos in Australia, so wherever you are, there will always be something interesting to find and watch.

Not only that, the fresh air and exercise is so good for you, you will feel relaxed, refreshed and invigorated, ready for anything the rest of the day throws at you.
Why not take a camera? You might be able to get some amazing shots once you get to know where to go, get used to various animal’s habits, and what time of year certain  wildlife “events” take place.

Anyway, as I said some people may find just walking or sitting around watching animals, birds, or any kind of wildlife boring just on it’s own, but if you attached some sort of purpose to this activity e.g. wildlife photography, it might just make watching wildlife a lot more interesting for YOU.

If you want to attract some wildlife to you, why not go and feed the ducks or swans at a local pond or river, there is always plenty of wildlife around water, especially if it’s fairly remote or off the beaten track. Take a picnic and make a day of it, perhaps take the kids too, although I’m not sure how relaxing that would be… Go and explore your local area and see what you can find… I think you’ll realize you’re enjoying a better life… It’s worth it.

Now I know this blog is about “a better life” and I’m all in favor of people enjoying themselves and having fun… But! Being a football (soccer that is) fan myself, albeit from an armchair or local bar, I continually find myself wanting to SWAT whatever it is making that awful droning buzzing noise when I’m trying to concentrate on the game!

This so-called musical? instrument has been the subject of growing controversy over the last week or so, with many players complaining they cannot concentrate or even hear their team-mates on the pitch when playing (except for the South African ones, thinking it helps their chances… That worked well…Not).

Anyway, it struck me (not literally, but you never know after this post) that the vuvuzela is very similar to a toy trumpet that you might buy your toddler (during a bout of inexplicable madness), without considering the consequences of said purchase, that is, the constant noise when they’ve got it, and the screaming and tantrums when you take it off them because you can’t stand it anymore!

So where does the “embarrassment” come in?

Well, after several complaints about the offending item from various interested parties, such as broadcasters, players and fans, the South African FA has refused to ban it because it has apparently become part of their culture and tradition… Not that I am an expert on South Africa, but that’s news to me and a lot of others. I would have thought what I would consider “the traditional” singing and chanting, “cheering your team on” approach to be far more palatable than the constant numbing drone of the vuvuzela.

My question would be this… Does “South Africa” want their hosting of the tournament to be remembered as “the most annoying World Cup ever”? A question and answer to be repeated regularly on TV Game Shows and “Trivial Pursuit” events around the world… How extremely embarrassing!

So my suggestion would be this… By all means enjoy yourself and have fun blowing away to your hearts content on your vuvuzela if that’s what makes you happy. But please, please… Do it in an extremely isolated place with your fellow “vuvuzelans”… And just let the rest of us enjoy your singing and chanting at the football games!

By the way, click here for satellite TV coverage on your pc.

Far less than you expected is often normal… That’s because the pressures of modern life have a nasty habit of running right over you so that you spend most of your time “catching up”. So here’s a few tips…

Get control… Know what you have to do, and get it done. For example, when it is time to get from home to work or from work to home, you will be ready for the transition.

To accomplish this, you’ll want to think of your ‘work time’ and your ‘personal time’ as existing in two different worlds. Each of these ‘worlds’ requires different skills and a different focus, but they are both important.

You can use some of the ideas here to create a ‘transition’ ritual for yourself – one that gets you out of one world and ready for another.

To go from home to work, you can try these things:

Get things ready the night before. Don’t wait until the chaos of the morning to pack lunches and iron clothes. Sign homework and pack your briefcase or car for work the night before, so you don’t forget anything. The less rattled you are going into the day, the less unbalanced you will feel throughout the day. Set your alarm and get up on time so you don’t have to rush. Always allow enough time for that last minute emergency, if you have kids. They have a way of foiling the best-laid plans.

You can try getting up before everyone else does if you think this might work for you. That will give you a little quiet time to get things done in peace before the rest of the house starts to stir and you are less likely to forget things in the rush. Some people use this extra quiet time to have a cup of coffee and write out their list for the day. Whatever works for you is fine!

Be sure you don’t run short on time to get to work. If you have young children, you have to be creative here. A ‘goodbye’ routine is a good idea. One that is fun and easy for the kids to get into will make the drop-off at daycare a lot easier and you will be out the door in no time.

These routines take a few tries to get right, so be patient with yourself and your children. Perhaps you can make a game of the tasks to be performed on the way out the door by using the familiar ‘Simon Says’. “Simon says get your lunch out of the refrigerator”.

Have a plan for what you will do if your child is sick or if you wake up to a foot of snow and you can’t miss work.

Use your trip to work – by train, car or bus – to read a book you enjoy, make a list of action items for the day, have a cup of your favorite coffee or listen to your favorite CD or meditation tape. You’ll need that sense of Zen and organization to get ready for the day, and you’ll greet the problems of the day with calm, and focused approach…

Ok, that will get you started… But now what?

How about a FREE book? Currently, my blog readers can get this ebook free… See opposite.

Have you ever wanted to “make stuff” in wood?

I don’t mean nailing 2 bits of wood together, sticking it in your garden, and calling it a bird table…  I mean something more substantial, such as a piece of wood furniture or even a summer-house!

Well I often fancy that, but have forgotten much of the (little) woodworking skills I ever possessed. Trouble is, my woodwork classes at school were a very long time ago, so every now and then look around the Internet for decent learning material etc. Until recently, not finding much either…

I’ve seen “shed plans” and various other plans that some retailers provide free sometimes, but most aren’t that good and the tutorials are mainly instructions on how to use their latest power “gizmo”, which is not what I want…

“What I want” is some decent project plans, step-by-step instructions (the idiot-proof sort, just in case I run into one), and video tutorials on “How to do woodworking“! Now, you would think a package like that is not hard to find, or too much to ask, wouldn’t you? I actually found a total of… One!

So, if you’re interested, read on…

If you are one of those people who enjoys building woodworking crafts/projects and some basic carpentry skills this website will interest you in the same way that it did me. The site is Ted’s Woodworking and it was the best that I have ever seen.

Ted Mcgrath was the originator of this site and is a professional woodworker so he knows what he is talking about. There are over 16,000 plans in the one package deal, but it’s what else is included that makes this package different…

Such as (currently)…

Comprehensive printable blueprints, schematics and materials list for each project

Step-by-step printable instructions for each products

Lifetime  access to a growing library of over 150 woodworking video tutorials

Complete Woodworking Guides – 200 pages of carpentry advice and instruction

DWG/CAD software package

Now, that’s more than I was looking for!

This is really something to find all that together in one package. For someone like me who is just really starting to get involved with woodworking this was like letting me loose in a candy store and telling me I could have anything I wanted. The pages were done in full color and they were laid out and very detailed which made it easy to follow. I really found it hard to put down and do some other things when I got it as it is so interesting. It gave me new ideas for summer projects!

I figured that with a unconditional money back guarantee that I was given and after a period of sixty days that I had nothing to lose. All I had to do if it was not what I was looking for would be to send it back and get my money back. You can not get any better deal than that. You won’t believe the low price at the moment either… honest!

Don’t believe me? Go check it out here!

In order to beat stress, you need to get out in the fresh air… It rejuvenates you, makes you feel more alive, and can take your mind off work or business problems for a while. Not everyone is interested in “gardening”, but there is so much more you can do out there (weather permitting)…

When most of us think of garden or backyard activities, children come to mind.  While children may enjoy being outside, they are not the only individuals who enjoy participating in backyard activities.  In fact, many adults also enjoy being outside in their yards.  Whether you are retreating your backyard alone or with some friends, you may want to think of some fun or relaxing backyard activities. This can easily be done by examining some of the most popular garden or backyard activities, especially those that are designed with adults in mind.

As previously mentioned, many adults use their gardens to relax. If you are looking to do this, you may want to examine your garden or patio furniture.  The furniture that you have available may make it possible, or even impossible, to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in your yard.  Popular furniture, used to help achieve relaxation, may include lounge chairs or hammocks.  If you do not have any comfortable lawn or patio furniture, you may want to consider purchasing some.  Most, on and offline retail stores, carry a fairly large selection of patio furniture.

Although many adults use their backyards as a source of relaxation, others use it for excitement.  If you are looking for fun backyard activities, there are literally an unlimited number of things that you can do. These activities may include playing sports games, going for a swim, or having a barbecue.  All of these garden or backyard activities are ideal for individuals of all ages.

If you are interested in playing sports games in your garden or backyard, you will have to think about the games that you would be interested in playing. You may also want to examine whether or not you would be playing alone or with someone else. If you are interested in playing a game by yourself, basketball or a singles game of horseshoes may be ideal. In addition to being ideal for singles games, horseshoes and basketball are also great games for when more than one player is participating.  Additional multi-player games may include soccer, football, tennis, badminton, or volleyball.

The above mentioned games are ideal because just about everyone one can participate in them.  Most gardens or backyards are able to accommodate a number of different backyard sports games.  However, to go swimming, you will have to have a pool.  Even though pools are popular, not everyone has one. If you are unable to have an in-ground or an aboveground pool installed in your backyard, a kiddie pool maybe a nice alternative.  While kiddie pools are designed with small children in mind, they are great for wading in hot weather, even for adults.

A barbecue is another backyard activity that is enjoyed by many adults.  Since most households already have a grill, you may not have to purchase anything besides your food.  If you do not have a barbecue grill, many small ones can be purchased for around twenty dollars.  Barbeques are great backyard activities, all on their own, but they also work well in conjunction with swimming or other outdoor activities.

In addition to enjoying, the above mentioned, popular garden or backyard activities, you may also want to make up your own.  Whether you create your own unique game or stick to traditional backyard games, it is likely that you will be pleased with your decision to entertain yourself outside.  There are many adults that just enjoy being outside, even if they are not participating in anything particular.

If you haven’t used YOUR garden or backyard in a while, try it out, relax, beat your stress, and see what you’re missing!

Here are some examples of common “low self esteem” thoughts and feelings…

1. Nothing you do seems to go right
2. You believe that most people do not like you.
3. You believe that you are not attractive.
4. You choose something and it turns out to be the worst one.
5. You are afraid to converse with others for fear that what you say might not make sense.
6. You feel swallowed up in a whirlpool of frustration.

So what is really wrong with you? Your thoughts, actually.

Stop thinking that the world is closing in on you. Get determined to achieve what you desire. Stop blaming other people for your misfortunes. The world is not your problem, YOU are your own problem.

From this moment on, begin the process of improving your self esteem. Think the right way and be determined to win, and win you will. Just remember that success never comes easily and that is why determination is it’s counterpart.

Often, one gets to the brink of success and with just a little disappointment or setback, they lose heart and give up too easily and too soon. A surefire candidate for improving low self esteem. Who knows what great things might have been achieved if only they had persevered.

Without having a high self esteem, your life could be rather boring. Change your thinking and begin to see yourself on top of the world. Make a very special effort to be what you really want to be.

You have to seriously decide either to remain in a miserable state of low self esteem, or develop a high self esteem with good character and self image.

The possible origins of your low self esteem…

Low self esteem could begin way back in childhood when children are made to believe that they are worthless. Their self confidence is eroded and they succumb to the idea that they can never achieve success in anything that they do. They were picked on, laughed at, pushed around, called ugly names, and treated with disdain. No wonder they grew up to be full of resentment.

If that was your experience, it is time you cut yourself loose from that mindset and start boosting your self esteem. Start reading about the lives of successful people and you will soon discover that many of them had such low self esteem that they could not even complete an elementary education. Many decided to override their low self esteem and improve their attitude, whatever it took. They became some of the greatest men and women that ever lived.

Low self esteem has never helped anyone, and it sure won’t help you. It can only drive you into depression, anger, resentment, fear and all the other evils that it generates. Re-program your thinking and control your state of mind. You must believe that you are worth much more than you think or you will remain at the foot of the ladder and never make an attempt to climb it.

Do not waste your life away with feelings of inadequacies. Instead, think of ways to go about improving your
self esteem and consequently, YOURSELF. Success can be yours, just reach out and grasp it.

Learn how to improve your self-esteem, be confident, take control of your life, and achieve what you desire… Click Here!

Relieving stress can be anything that you like to do.  If you enjoy long evening walks alone or with a loved one, this is a great way to relieve your stress.  You can enjoy this time to talk about your feelings and things that are causing stress in your life.

When you are at work, you need to get up from your desk or station and take breaks.  You can do this at different points throughout the day.  When you start to feel the pressures kicking in, you may need to get up and walk away.  It is important to go and take a walk or go outside and get some fresh air.  Give yourself time to gather your thoughts and take time for yourself.

Getting plenty of exercise is very important.  You will need to make sure that you are getting the right amount of exercise that will help you feel good about your body and it will also help to clear your mind from stress that can build up.  Eating right is very smart too.  You need to eat a balanced diet that will give you the essential nutrients that your body is going to need.

You can also take long rides in the country.  Getting out of the house and getting some, fresh air may be what you need for a nice pick ‘me up’.  This is a great opportunity to take in the sights and the different atmosphere that surrounds you.  You can take the drive alone or with someone special to make it wonderful romantic getaway.  Plan a romantic picnic lunch for you and your special someone as well.

Taking a hot bath is something that works to relieve any kind of stressful situation.  You can take the time to fill the tub with hot water and lots of bubbles and this will give you the safe haven that you are looking for to ease out all of your stress. Light some candles for the aromatherapy that your mind needs to get it relaxed and feeling free.  This will help to take away the stress and the problems that take over our body and mind.

Drink a cup of your favorite tea.  You can sit back and relax with your favorite brew and enjoy a good book or watch the stars in the sky.  This is a great method of relaxation that your mind and body needs to relieve the stress.  You will be able to appreciate the time that you have to yourself and let your mind wander freely.

When you know how to calm your stress and your body, you will find that you can deal with more situations and the stress is not taking over your body.  You will be able to break away from the cycle that stress can cause and this will bring you back to place that you want to be.