TL;DR
Leaving one’s comfort zone massages the inner critic. 2017 gifted a wealth of impactful articles, encouraging self-tweaks for continued progress.
Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes
Articles Packing a Self-Tweaking Punch
1️⃣ Proximate vs Root Causes: Why You Should Keep Digging to Find the Answer.
Farnam Street Blog [May 29, 2017]
Deciphering multiple mental models for getting to the root of any dilemma, this article stands as among the most tangibly useful encountered to date. From 5-Whys Technique to the Socratic method, tools remain at our immediate disposal to pinpoint the problem and conjure remedial action.
2️⃣ Personal Development Plan: Your Definitive Step-by-Step Guide.
Scott Jeffrey [March 6, 2017]
From growing emotional intelligence and selecting your area of focus, to discovering your practices and establishing your schedule, this gem merits mandatory read status as the new year dawns.
3️⃣ 6 Steps to Transform Your Outlook
Psychology Today [January 5, 2017]
Number 2 —”Practice thought stopping”— lit a 100 watt internal bulb. Seizing that advice led to effective habits, muting Poindexter (inner critic dude) the moment he launches an attack. Example? No self-lectures, since I can’t unring a bell by telling myself to do so. Whether sitting or standing, my eyes dance around a room, locking with laser focus on one item. I analyze it, then conjure a storyline for the person assisting in its physical creation. During the process, Poindexter scoots.
4️⃣ How to Inspire Others Through Your Own Self-Improvement
HuffPost [January 16, 2017]
The Swedish proverb gracing the 2nd listed point caused a rare instance of deliberate duplication. As in my 2017 bullet journal, it also graces the inside cover of my 2018 bullet journal. Succinct phrasing packing a comprehensive punch.
5️⃣ Overcoming Fear: 10 Ways To Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
Forbes [April 26, 2017]
The sun rises each day. The mind craves comfort. Leaving your comfort zone triggers resistance, e.g. Poindexter speeds into overdrive. But the good stuff, the truly great adventures, live outside the comfort zone zip code. Grasp that reality. Wrestle with its handiwork. Then, keep on steppin’ along you new road.
6️⃣ How to Stop Your Inner Critic from Sabotaging Your Happiness & Success
Psych Central. [September 8, 2017]
Recognizing a Poindexter attack when it’s underway provides the gateway to relief. Because he stubbornly resists lectures, an abrupt change in focus spells his (momentary) defeat.
7️⃣ 4 Tips for Leaving Your Comfort Zone
Success [January 30, 2017]
I dedicated considerable time to pulling my life-management bible (a/k/a bullet journal) together. The “me” aspect likewise demands attention.
Because Poindexter proves so relentlesss, I gobble beat-resistance articles. This little beauty translates as the side of yummy greens on my dinner plate, adding to my nourish-spirit diet.
8️⃣ Harnessing the Power of Words
The Teaching Experiment [April 23, 2017]
Silent speech envelops us all.
Remain vigilant, as the innate power of words casts a looming shadow.
9️⃣ Habits vs. Goals: A Look at the Benefits of a Systematic Approach to Life
Farnam Street Blog [June 7, 2017]
“The difference between habits and goals is not semantic. Each requires different forms of action. For example, …”
Want a powerhouse? Establish a hand-in-glove relationship between your goals and habits. Mesmerizingly effective combo!
🔟 How to Take a Guilt-Free Mental Health Day
Brit & Co [August 14, 2017]
“Nature is a proven mood-booster.” Being your own boss, like most things, carries positives and negatives. I tend to forget about the chill factor enjoyed during 9-to-5 water cooler moments. The idea of stepping outside gets muddied in the what-I-wanna-do-today mindset. But taking time off proves essential to sustained productivity. Once I “got it,” those breaks muscled their way onto my calendar, as they should.
⏸ 15 things I’ve learned from reading picture books
Shawn Thomas Anderson [December 15, 2017]
The 6th listed item rings a bell for every litigator: the power of 3. Books ostensibly written for children instill lessons for adults as well. The writers among us will find this post particularly helpful, in more ways than one!
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Finding these and other treasures validates my surfing timeouts. My habits include visiting StumbleUpon.com and googling a brief thought. While these processes do not always produce a bingo!, much more frequently than not my peepers land on a goodie.
I feed my body daily. My spirit demands similar treatment.
You do have a preferred self-nurturing process, right?