Leaving one’s comfort zone massages the inner critic. The past year gifted a wealth of impactful articles, encouraging self-tweaks for continued progress. End result: staggering personal growth.
Articles Packing a Self-Tweaking Punch
Mindless reading has its place, since we all need a break. But bumping into eye-opening lessons learned births seeds for staggering growth, as detailed below.
1️⃣ Superficial vs Genuine Causes: Why You Should Keep Digging to Find the Answer.
Farnam Street Blog [May 29, 2017]
Deciphering multiple models for getting to the root of any dilemma, this article stands as among the most tangibly useful I’ve encountered to date. From the 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 conjuring your practices and establishing your schedule, this gem merits mandatory read status for those wedded to self-improvement.
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 create a storyline for a person who assisted 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. The succinct phrasing packs 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, lives outside comfort zone’s zip code. Grasp that reality. Wrestle with its handiwork. Then, keep on steppin’ along you new road, using these tips.
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 quick (albeit, 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.
Doubt me? The Bible managed to survive generations. It opens with a homage to the power of words. Think on that.
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 others enjoy 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,” I took that ball and ran with it, adopting the Pomodoro Technique. Ooooo baby!
⏸ 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!
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?
