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Jay White2008-04-29T08:47:34.938-05:004 Signs That Your Hyperconsumerism is Ruining Your Life</h3><content type="html"><div id="write"><h7 class="write">Written on 4/29/2008 by Alex Shalman, creator of the <a href="http://www.alexshalman.com/blog/">Practical Personal Development</a> blog.</h7></div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpockele/316360710/"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_dH0q9hvpVHg/SBck6dH2MQI/AAAAAAAABsU/x2tqZndJpr0/s320/wheel.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194661281863708930" border="0" /></a>As a society, our lack of owning up and taking responsibility is causing some very significant downfalls which will not be sustainable long term. Our 'I want it yesterday' way of life is based on one fundamental principle - 'I want more, now'. It's a huge loop that consists of want more, work more, spend more - rinse, repeat. We're actually trapped, very much like rodents in a wheel, running hard without getting anywhere. The reality, at least the one many people avoid believing, is that we all have the ability to stop the endless cycle. Like most things, you just need to apply yourself to a solid plan versus waiting for someone else to swoop in and put a band-aid on your financial or mental injuries; it's not going to happen. Let's discuss a handful of ways that we can solve our carelessness, overconsumption problems, and downright laziness. Given time, choosing and focusing on one of these will turn your life around. Are you up for the challenge or are you content with the constant dilemmas you face? <ol><li>We eat too much. The food industry is one that is trillions of dollars strong. We all have to eat, right? From high end to fast food restaurants, our society is not lacking for a place to eat. The problem? High quantity mixed with low quality puts nutritionally poor food into our stomachs. Solution: Become educated in proper nutrition. Use your hard earned money to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables and eat a <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vegetarian-diet/HQ01596">plant-based whole foods diet</a>. When you calculate the fact that you'll live a healthier and happier life you will be doing yourself a great service. </li><li>We spend too much boosting pride. <a href="http://psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-464.html">Insecurity</a> is very prevalent in this society. It took me a long time to realize that I was trained to be insecure from childhood. Perhaps it's not a problem limited to this day and age, but speaking from personal experience alone, it's a huge problem now. In order to keep up with our peers we want to buy more, have more, and obtain more items that do little less than boost our pride. This mentality will inevitably take you down a path of credit card debt and deep anxiety. Solution: Gain insight into why we take certain actions and become more self-confident and aware. <a href="http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/09/lose-and-control-your-clutter.html">Simplify your possessions</a> and keep the minimum for a comfortable life. While 'comfortable life' has a different meaning to everyone, the key is that it's YOUR comfort that takes the lead, not the comfort of a peer that just bought a new iPhone. This reduction in spending will free up time, allowing us to <a href="http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/06/hack-your-work-23-ways-to-get-ahead.html">work less,</a> and spend more time with our families. </li><li>We watch too much. Too much television, reality shows and game shows means we're watching other peoples lives instead of living our own adventures. This causes us to envy others and become <a href="http://www.dumblittleman.com/2008/02/convert-your-sedentary-lifestyle.html">sedentary</a>. Why go climb a mountain when watching it on TV is just as good? Solution: Go outside and begin enjoying the simple pleasures in life that don't have to cost an arm and a leg. Appreciate being outside, walking through your local park, and laughing with friends. Build genuine relationships with significant people, not the people we see on TV. </li><li>We Are Too Complex. Multi-tasking work and family, to-do lists spanning multiple pages, and thinking about B while doing A are all things that add up to more complex but less fulfilling lives. We're selling everything we have to be able to live 'as if'. As if we were happy, satisfied, or even content, when none of these things are actually true. Solution: Simplify our lives. <a href="http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/07/10-ways-to-remove-clutter-from-your.html">Get rid of clutter</a>, get rid of all the extra baggage in terms of stuff and emotional traumas that we choose to carry around. Leave just the essentials. Live in the present. Simplify, work less, enjoy more.</li></ol>There are loads of other ruts people are stuck in. Take 15 minutes to list all the ways your life would be better if it was simpler. List some in the comments below - maybe it'll help the next reader realize their reality. -Alex <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/DumbLittleMan?a=xOKMxw"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/DumbLittleMan?i=xOKMxw" border="0"></img></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=EXMoZg"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=EXMoZg" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=vAIQBg"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=vAIQBg" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=1exUag"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=1exUag" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=wvL5Tg"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=wvL5Tg" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=5HL0TG"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=5HL0TG" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DumbLittleMan/~4/280105115" height="1" width="1"/></content><author><name>Alex Shalman</name></author></entry><entry><updated>2008-04-28T11:32:19.855-05:00</updated><title type="text">Which comes first, the Success or the Happiness?</h3><content type="html"><div id="write"><h7 class="write">Written on 4/28/2008 by Shilpan Patel of <a href="http://www.successsoul.com/blog/">Success Soul</a>.</h7></div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikex/344491246/"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_dH0q9hvpVHg/SBXrb9H2MPI/AAAAAAAABsM/dHNm0aOBLhg/s320/eggs.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194316610738204914" title="Happy eggs" border="0" /></a>We've heard the classic expression, "which came first, the chicken or the egg?" Chickens hatch from the eggs, but eggs are laid by the chickens, arousing endless debate over each side of the arguments. I've come up with an equally controversial expression to perturb your mind, "which comes first, the success or the happiness?" Before you jump the ropes, I wanted to warn you that arguments could be made to prove which gives rise to the other. Success comes from within, knowing the true worth of our human potential. I have several profound reasons to prove that happiness leads to the success. <ol><li>Positivity is the mother of success: We all know that positivity leads to attitude and unwavering faith to achieve success. In the history of the human race, no negative person has ever climbed the peaks of success; happiness is a virtue of positivity. Without happiness, positivity dies a horrible death. </li> <li>It's all in my head: Success begins with self-affirmation. It's that staunch belief that when I love what I do, success has to come. When the mood is positive, we give rise to our self-esteem leading to relentless pursuit of success. </li> <li>I succeed when others succeed: It is a known fact that success comes to those who invest in other people's success. Being happy is a prerequisite to have a pro-social attitude leading to generosity with time and money. </li> <li>I'm happy, so I am healthy: Happiness tends to instill positivity towards life goals including a healthy mind and healthy relationships. With the virtue of healthy mind, body and soul, I now am focused to achieve success. </li> <li>Be confident: I've noticed that staying under sun energizes my mood and willingness to pursue my goals. Similarly, with happiness, I get an abundance of confidence in my skills and in my resilience towards temporary failures to achieve success. </li> <li>Constancy of purpose: Success comes to those who have a definite purpose. Their relentless efforts towards definite purpose come from happiness within to affirm that victory is the only acceptable outcome. </li> <li>Success holds no limits: Happiness leads to creative vision that seeks achievement without limits. My success is limited only to the limits I impose on my thoughts. With happiness, I take my self-esteem to unseen heights to achieve success beyond my wildest expectations. </li> <li>In the moment: Enjoying every moment with focus of mind, body and soul leads to happiness that shows in the activity that we engage in. I tend to be at my best when my mind is neither engaged in the past failures nor in the future fantasies. I am giving all I have to the task at hand with unbound happiness. I am destined to arrive at success. </li></ol><div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote> Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.- Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) Preeminent leader of Indian nationalism.</blockquote></div>Our profound view towards success and happiness shapes our destiny. You may focus solely on success and sacrifice happiness with the belief that happiness will follow success. That may prove to be wrong; sharing laughter with family, helping others, being personable and establishing social relations are all forms of happiness, essential to the health of you success. You may have arguments from the other side of the fence. If so, I'd love to hear why you think success gives rise to happiness? -Shilpan <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/DumbLittleMan?a=f8Pu0z"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/DumbLittleMan?i=f8Pu0z" border="0"></img></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=ZXxBjg"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=ZXxBjg" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=e04C1g"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=e04C1g" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=iJXOTg"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=iJXOTg" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=vE0oSg"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=vE0oSg" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=TlojIG"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=TlojIG" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DumbLittleMan/~4/279501937" height="1" width="1"/></content><author><name>Jay White</name></author></entry><entry><updated>2008-04-28T09:05:01.207-05:00</updated><title type="text">Beating Procrastination is Easy – Once You Get Moving</h3><content type="html"><div id="write"><h7 class="write">Written on 4/28/2008 by <a href="http://www.slowdownfast.com/about/">David B. Bohl</a>, the author of <a href="http://www.slowdownfast.com/">Slow Down Fast</a>.</h7></div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/poldavo/513518182/"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_dH0q9hvpVHg/SBXYq9H2MOI/AAAAAAAABsE/89DAeiAQ7Mg/s320/procrastinate.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194295977715314914" title="She is Working, I am Procrastinating" border="0" /></a>One of the biggest difficulties for most people to overcome is <a href="http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/07/5-simple-steps-to-stop-procrastination.html">procrastination</a>. We all have things we dread doing, and it is so much easier to come up with excuses not to do those things, or find other more pressing things to take care of, all as a means of avoidance. Then we look at all the time that has been wasted putting off the dreaded task, only to find that it is still sitting there, staring us squarely in the face. Not only did we lose precious time trying to ignore the unpleasant task, but it has since grown even more ominous. An important aspect of any self improvement program is learning to overcome the fine art of procrastination. Some people are able to casually avoid an unpleasant or difficult chore, while others go to extreme lengths devising outlandish mechanisms for escaping their responsibilities. In many cases, the effort spent avoiding the task far exceeds the amount of effort required to complete it. As you progress along your path towards self improvement, keep the following things in mind. <ul><li>Unfinished Business Causes Stress: No matter how steadfastly you try to ignore those unpleasant responsibilities, the fact is they are not going to go away without your attention. One of the goals of any effort towards achieving self improvement is the ability to reduce stress – but until you learn to overcome your procrastination, any unfinished business will add stress to your life. Undone tasks will lurk in the back of your mind, causing you to feel guilt and frustration. You will be ill at ease until you finally get around to completing any unfinished business you may have. As unpleasant as it may be, you need to dig in and make sure you address each and every responsibility and task in your life. Failure to do so will undermine any effort you make at <a href="http://www.dumblittleman.com/2008/01/four-steps-to-achieve-happiness.html">achieving relaxation and fulfillment</a>. </li> <li>Make the Most Difficult Tasks Your Priority: One of the best ways to get past your mental roadblocks regarding certain tasks is to move them to the top of your priority list and <a href="http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/12/6-simple-steps-to-achieve-laser-like.html">focus all of your energy</a> on them. Make them your first accomplishments of the day, the week, or the month. Once you dive in and finish them, you can clear them off of your calendar, take a deep breath, and go about the rest of your business with a clear mind and a light heart. By tackling the hardest things first, you complete them with and energetic body and a refreshed attitude, giving you the greatest chances of achieving success. You will feel a sense of great accomplishment, and somehow the rest of your chores will not seem so difficult.</li> <li>Just Do It: The easiest way to beat procrastination once and for all is to commit to just <a href="http://www.slowdownfast.com/blog/personal-growth-means-taking-action/">getting it done</a>. Choose a starting point and dig in with both hands. If it helps, break your major tasks into smaller parts, creating a succession of smaller tasks that lead to the fulfillment of one major task. Breaking it down into smaller parts is a great mind trick that fools you into thinking you are completing something much easier than the original project appeared to be. Once you know where you are going to start, then get moving. They say to have to walk before you can run, so just take it slowly and accomplish one step at a time. As you complete each step, take a moment to acknowledge your progress, then continue on. Do not allow yourself to become sidetracked, which is really just another avoidance mechanism. Commit to keeping yourself on task until the <a href="http://www.dumblittleman.com/2008/04/7-insanely-simple-ways-to-ensure-your.html">entire project is complete</a>. </li></ul>You will find that once you finally decide to just get to work, you will make progress towards completion of the project more rapidly than you initially believed. As you begin to see your project moving towards completion, you will likely feel momentum building in your favor, giving you the energy to continue. You may even feel it building, causing you to become invigorated by your own success, making you strive that much harder towards reaching your final goal. Procrastination can be difficult for everyone, and we all have things that cause us to struggle. In the long run, though, it is so much easier to just get moving and let our successes give us the motivation to continue, than it is to wallow in our failures. Movement creates a positive energy that will lead you down the path towards achieving your dreams. -<a href="http://www.slowdownfast.com/">David</a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/DumbLittleMan?a=Uo2jNm"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/DumbLittleMan?i=Uo2jNm" border="0"></img></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=eexMTg"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=eexMTg" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=L26DCg"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=L26DCg" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=aUltEg"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=aUltEg" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=dVAn4g"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=dVAn4g" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=b2LpLG"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=b2LpLG" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DumbLittleMan/~4/279420333" height="1" width="1"/></content><author><name>Jay White</name></author></entry><entry><updated>2008-04-26T09:00:16.068-05:00</updated><title type="text">The Friday Finale</h3><content type="html"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_dH0q9hvpVHg/SBHk29H2MMI/AAAAAAAABr0/m2fy7UTW6b0/s400/friday+finale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193183478106435778" title="DLM Friday Finale" border="0" />Several years ago I made a vow to stop working on the weekends. This was done for two main reasons: to clear out my brain from the previous week and spend totally uninterrupted time my family. It's gone well but I feel guilty every weekend because I am fairly certain that many of you are looking for new stuff to read - regardless of my little vow. Therefore, in hopes of satisfying two of the passions in my life, I am starting the Friday Finale. Yes, the name is very, very lame but I was at a loss for something better; suggestions are welcome. These Friday afternoon posts will contain interesting or fun articles that I happened upon over the last week along with a bit of commentary. For the most part, the articles I reference will pertain to the theme of this blog so don't expect anything too crazy. Nevertheless, they will will be timely and something most of you should enjoy. So, there is your explanation. Here are the goods for this week. Feel free to discuss in the comments. Found from Around the Web: <ul><li><a href="http://jonathanfields.com/blog/are-your-sleep-habits-making-you-fat-nasty-and-dumb/">Are your sleep habits making you fat, nasty and dumb?</a> - Solid article explaining what the lack of sleep actually does to you. </li><li><a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2189574">Water, Water Everywhere and Not a Drop To Drink</a> - Article explains that bottled water was once a status symbol and how it is now a symbol of crass consumption. Where do you stand on this? Is it time for a boycott on bottled water? </li> <li><a href="http://weburbanist.com/2008/03/26/20-eye-catching-pieces-of-recycled-urban-furniture-geeky-and-ecological-reuse-of-ordinary-objects/">20 Eye-Catching Pieces of ‘Recycled’ Urban Furniture: Geeky and Green Adaptive Reuse Design Projects</a> - This is simply cool and a must see for anyone wanting to get creative with recycling. <a href="http://www.dumblittleman.com/2008/02/turn-green-heres-15-ways-reduce-your.html">Related</a><a href="http://www.dumblittleman.com/2008/02/turn-green-heres-15-ways-reduce-your.html"></a></li> <li><a href="http://dalnews.dal.ca/2008/04/22/liar.html">Where the truth lies</a> - Interesting study, quoting: "The results were that no one participant was able to falsify emotions perfectly. Odd or out-of-place expressions—such as smirking or rapid blinking in a supposedly sad face—were more likely to show up when the participant was attempting to be deceptive."</li> <li><a href="http://www.mydollarplan.com/retirement-planning-checklist-43-tasks-to-get-you-ready/">Retirement Planning Checklist: 43 Tasks to Get You Ready!</a> - #31 is a great point; I know a lot of people that retired early and freaked out shortly after.</li> <li><a href="http://goodlifezen.com/2008/04/18/how-to-start-meditating-ten-important-tips/">How to Start Meditating: 10 Important Tips</a> - Coulda, shoulda, woulda. Meditation can do wonders to calm your life. If you have been procrastinating on this one, here are some good tips that will get you started. <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/12/meditation-techniques-for-busy-or.html">Related</a> </li> <li><a href="http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/how-to-prepare-healthy-meals-faster-than-you-can-order-takeout/">How to Prepare Healthy Meals Faster than You Can Order Takeout</a>- Read this and 'get it' to be on your way to increasing your health and saving some time. </li> <li><a href="http://fabulously40.com/article/2243/How-Likeable-Are-YouYour-Smile-Says-A-Lot/">How Likable Are You?</a> - You know those people with the constant sparkle in their eye, the ones liked by everyone? Why can't I be that guy? Is there a trick to it? </li></ul>At this time last year on DLM: <ul><li><a href="http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/04/lets-fine-tune-your-resume.html">Let's Fine Tune Your Resume</a>- Compilation of handy sites to review when it's time to update that resume. </li> <li><a href="http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/04/10-things-you-better-know-when-aging.html">10 Things you Better Know When an Aging Parent Falls Ill</a>- Self explanatory title isn't it? </li> <li><a href="http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/04/so-how-fat-are-your-kids.html">So How Fat are your Kids?</a> - Story about a trip the the grocery store and how parents need to do more to reinforce healthy eating habits in their children. </li></ul>That's it. Have a great weekend everyone. Spend time with those you care about, stay out of trouble and get outside even if it's raining! 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