Monday, August 7, 2017

How to Overcome Your Biggest Enemy in Life: Fear

Have you ever heard someone say “Me? I’m rubbish at mathematics!” or “It’s no good asking me I’ve always struggled with grammar”? These are two perfect examples of the chosen thoughts we allow to hang out in our minds that dismember our goals and our results.

So many of us enable the wrong thoughts in our minds and our brain is only too happy to deliver exactly what we ask for. The damage is caused when we don’t realise we’ve been asking for the wrong things.

You see, our brain is a clever old bunch of cells. It’s highly likely you’ve heard of the exercise where you are asked to not think of a pink elephant… and weirdly there in your head is a pink elephant! Or of Pavlov’s dogs, who could be encouraged to salivate just on hearing a bell ring. Even now I could say to you “Don’t imagine a lemon being cut in half and the juice being squeezed down your throat”, and you’d start to realise “Hey I’m producing more saliva”. How is that possible?

Because our brains WILL deliver what we ask for.

When it comes to performance we have to choose our words carefully. If you appreciate the above and accept that we are easily suggestible creatures, then by nature it stands to reason that I can give you some top tips and tools to help you perform better just based on what words you are choosing to think.

You see, if words can impact what your body does it can also impact the results you achieve, and the standard to which you perform at.

How Fear Screws You Up

How is it that one person can relish the opportunity to stand on a stage in front of 5000 people, and another would rather have their spleen burst before it was their turn. (And trust me as someone who used to have a very physical fear of public speaking and who now adores it and coaches people out of that fear, I really know what that fear is like.) If we allow such a fear to fester and hang out in our minds then guess what that can do to your performance?

Let’s stick with the public speaking fear since it is still one of the top fears in the world. We are still more scared of speaking than dying. Crazy right?

You are asked to speak to a large audience and the opportunity has the potential to rocket your career. If you fear public speaking then the overriding thoughts are around the fear… instead of the ideal results you want to get.

For instance, instead of thinking:

“This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for and it’s going to rocket my success”

You are more likely to be thinking:

“Oh no the biggest opportunity of my life and I’m going to screw it up.”

Now remember our brain likes to keep us happy. So, if you are thinking the first positive thought guess what you are likely to get? And what about the second one?

“That’s all very well and good Mandie but it’s a fear. It’s real, it’s tangible. It shuts my throat, makes me shake, sweat and I struggle to remember my name let alone an entire speech!” you say.

And from many years’ experience of helping people overcome those fears I know that this is exactly what fear relies on. It relies on you accepting the feelings, and accepting the physicality of it. It relies on you accepting those negative emotions and really experiencing them on a level that causes you to never question them. And that is the key.

To increase your performance success, you have to question your thoughts. Not all fears are obvious. Some can hide out in your subconscious for years and it’s only when you work on them that you become aware of a fear that has been impacting on your success.

Everyone Has Fears, Even Those Who Look So Tough

Don’t believe me?

Only recently I had someone who I’ve admired for a long time on an international level say to me that it was not until they read chapter 3 of my book that they realised something had been impacting their success for years. That something was the action of picking up the phone. How can picking up the phone kill your performance?

Let’s break it down by thinking about what happens if you choose your actions according to your thoughts. So, if you think picking up the phone is going to interrupt someone’s day, make them less likely to say “Yes” and want to hear what you have got to say, are you likely to revert to an email?

On the other hand, what if you accept that you are a valuable person who has every right to speak to someone on the phone because you have something useful to say that could be very relevant and interesting? What are the chances you will pick up the phone?

So how do you revert to positive thinking and override the fears that damage your performance?

4 Tips to Override Your Fears

Adjust Your Assumptions

What assumptions are you making and are they good or bad for you? For instance, if you assume that mistakes are opportunities to learn, then you will go for it with all your heart. You will trust that even failure has its benefits and use them effectively to power up your performance. On the other hand, if you believe that failure is dangerous and damages your reputation and success then you are likely to shy away from the opportunities that can risk failure. With fear, you have to think like the superhero in a movie. Be prepared to step into situations that you fear with trust that you can do this. You don’t see superhero’s look at the big evil 20-foot bad guy and think “Mmm I don’t think I will protect mankind today, he looks a bit scary.”

Remember No One Really Cares

A big reason that fear can impact your performance and thus success is because we imagine what people are thinking. Ironically, it’s not usually true. We assume that everyone is thinking about us, and yet they are much more likely to be thinking about themselves — “what’s for tea”, “what they are going to get their Mom for her birthday” or “why did I wear these shoes, they’re far too tight”. However, remember that fear relies on negativity holding us in place and so if you just learn to accept that everyone is thinking their own thoughts and are as obsessed with them as you are yours, you can stop allowing incorrect thoughts into your head. And as one business friend said to me once “Mandie, you have no right to the thoughts in other people’s heads.”

Shift Your Focus

Fear loves us to repeat patterns. So, if you have thoughts in your head that say “this won’t work”, or “I’m scared of the end results” — then your brain will do all it can to prove you right.

Therefore, if you can have a stronger new direction to focus your attention on the fear will reduce and eventually dissipate. For instance, let’s go back to the fear of public speaking (You can replace this fear with one of your own!) If you fear public speaking and focus on what you fear, that is what you will get. On the other hand, if you have a clear goal in sight then that is what you are more likely to get. That means you need to work out what you want. What do you want? What is the goal? Where do you want this to lead? By answering these questions with your true passions and desires your brain has a positive direction to aim for, and not the fear routed patterns of the past.

Don’t Be Afraid of Looking Stupid

Closely connected to the fear of what people think is the fear that you will make a fool of yourself. Thus, if you fear what people think and/or making mistakes and getting it wrong then fear again gets to overpower you. Think about a time you’ve felt stupid for saying or doing something. What happened next? Then answer, “How did that make you feel?” and then from that ask yourself “Did that result in a feeling or an action?” and then answer, “what happened next?” In this way, you can start to build up a picture of the automatic path way connected to this fear. How you fall into old patterns that have not served you powerfully, and allowed fear to hold its power of you. (And yes, this process can be used on any fear, I call this a negative spiral.) Once you build a picture of what is happening in your old state you can learn to see what thoughts and feelings create what actions. For instance, if you stood up for yourself and spoke up and that led to you feeling inferior, did that then lead to you not taking on the project that was offered to you, because you feared getting it wrong? Understanding the thoughts that create the actions means that you then decide to create a new thought, and that will lead to new actions. But again, this really needs a powerful focus and goal to help you achieve.

Ultimately fear is allowed to impact our performance because we’ve learnt to trust fear. Fear is useful in that it keeps us safe, however there aren’t too many woolly mammoths on the streets anymore. So when fear is given too much power it damages our success. Learn to challenge and stop assuming. And most importantly trust that you can do this, you can give yourself all the proof of your successes to tell you this. And I will leave you with this thought: Why do we assume what if we are awesome at something then everyone else can do that too? While if we can’t do something we are idiots because everyone else can do it?

You see, fear really does wish to damage your success. So, it’s time to challenge it.

The post How to Overcome Your Biggest Enemy in Life: Fear appeared first on Lifehack.



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10 Best Stylish and Multifunctional Backpacks

Whether it’s for work, college, or traveling, backpacks are an essential part of daily life. So backpacks need to be practical and look good. They need to keep up with the demands of the modern world and be an expression of your personal style.

Nowadays many well-designed backpacks have functions that go beyond any regular bags. After interviewing all of our outgoing colleagues who are fashion (and backpack) lovers, we have hand-picked for you 10 of the best backpacks available today.

1. BagoBago Backpack with Built-In Seat

The innovative BagoBago backpack has a hidden stool seat built into it (supporting up to 130kg) – so you’ll never get stuck without a place to sit ever again.

The bag itself – which is waterproof and washable – has plenty of space, with a storage volume of 1,342.5cu.

Best for: nature walks or commuting in the city.

BagoBago Backpack with Built-In Seat, $119.99

2. Wolffepack Escape Backpack

The Wolffepack Escape is the world’s first orbital backpack – you can easily swing the backpack round to the front, even with the bag still strapped to your back.

It’s the best of both worlds – the comfort of a backpack, and the easy access of a satchel, messenger bag or shoulder bag. It’s also great for quickly protecting your belongings from theft.

Plus it boasts super strong Dyneema® cords that can support 300kg.

Best for: Quick and easy access on the go, and to quickly secure your belongings in busy areas.

Wolffepack Escape Backpack, $179

3. Progo Carry On Backpack

The attractive angular-designed Progo Carry On Backpack is great for short-stay visits when you just want to pack and unpack quickly and easily.

It has an integrated removable shelf (4 layers) that you can hang in any closet.

An internal mesh compartment inside the main compartment will provide space for your undergarments or other flat belongings.

Best for: travellers, especially those hopping from location to location.

Progo Carry On Backpack, $249

4. Backpaix: Backpack for Commuters

The stylish Backpaix is billed as the world’s first ‘smart’ urban bag – and it really does offer a host of features for the modern commuter.

Just some of the features include the ability to: charge your USB devices, mount a GoPro, and interact in Bike Mode.

It’s a great-looking backpack to take your gear around in (check out the distinctive LED badge) and includes a separate pocket for shoes.

Best for: city commuters and bike riders.

Backpaix: Backpack for Commuters, $250

5. TrustBag: World’s Most Secure Bag

Appearances can be deceiving. The TrustBag looks like a simple gym bag – but it’s so much more.

The special fabric used to make the bag is ultra-soft – yet it’s one of the strongest, most advanced fabrics in the world.

Amazingly, it can resist cuts, ripping and abrasion – and until recently it had only been used by the army and security services as protective gear.

Best for: a lightweight bag safe from damage or theft.

TrustBag: World’s Most Secure Bag, $179 (grey)

6. Lifepack Solar Powered and Anti-Theft Backpack with Laptop Storage

The Lifepack has some great features for the demanding commuter.

Its Solarbank consists of a 3-in-1 powerbank, bluetooth speakers and solar charger.

It has an integrated retractable lock to secure your belongings. And if you’re caught in a shower it has a built in rain cover.

You can organize your multi-faceted life using separate compartments – the ‘life zone’ and the ‘work zone’.

Best for: city commuters and bike riders.

Lifepack Solar Powered and Anti-Theft Backpack with Laptop Storage, $199.99

7. Jule’s Bag (Super Dad’s Bag)

Take care of your little one in style with Jule’s Bag. It’s a unique no-fuss changing bag designed especially for dads.

When you open the backpack, you’re greeted by several compartments for keeping everything organised and accessible – from sanitary care items, to spare clothes, to food.

The bag also transforms into a changing mat (waterproof and washable). And there’s a clever detachable waste bag to ditch dirty items.

Best for: On-the-go dads who want a fuss-free way to look after their precious baby companions.

Jule’s Bag (Super Dad’s Bag), $150.96

8. ELECOM Off Toco 2 Style Casual Backpack

If you’re looking for a dedicated camera backpack, the ELECOM Off Toco could be the one for you.

It has a special interior with moveable pads to configure the space two ways to fit your camera and lenses.

The handy removable camera inner case is great for on-the-go camera and lens use.

Best for: photographers.

ELECOM Off Toco 2 Style Casual Backpack, $131.78

9. NIID-UNO I Water Repellent Slim Laptop Backpack

If photography, sports, or art is your thing, the NIID-UNO I is a great choice.

Its mega storage space fits laptops of up to 15.6 inches. And it has a smart organizing system: 3 different types of specially-designed interior panels for cameras, sports equipment, or art supplies.

It also has a handy USB charging port.

It’s made with a durable Eco-Polyester exterior with a water repellent coating to keep your valuables safe.

Best for: mobile photographers, sports people, and artists needing to store their gear while navigating the city or countryside.

NIID-UNO I Water Repellent Slim Laptop Backpack, $79.99

10. Korin ClickPack Pro Functional Anti-theft BackPack

You’ll get great all-round functionality with the Korin ClickPack Pro.

It has four kinds of security functions. It can charge your devices on the go, and you can organize your gear in its five major storage compartments.

Plus you won’t get caught out in a bad weather thanks to its double layer rain protection.

Best for: nature walks or city commutes in unpredictable weather.

Korin ClickPack Pro Functional Anti-theft BackPack $193

The post 10 Best Stylish and Multifunctional Backpacks appeared first on Lifehack.



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Selected works by Johnny Smith - image manipulatorJohnny Smith... crss

















Selected works by Johnny Smith - image manipulator

Johnny Smith (born Jonathan Smith) hails from Houston, Texas, where he attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, studying theater. He graduated from the Univ. of Texas at Austin with a degree in film before landing in Los Angeles. Since being in LA, he has acted in over 34 commercials, written, acted in and directed numerous short films and was featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno when his YouTube series “Scaring Evelyn” went viral.  He is an avid fan of comedy and tries to share that through his collage work.  He enjoys image manipulation while listening to old episodes of Howard Stern or half watching Dateline NBC or The Bachelor/ette.


Want to keep up with art?  Check out our Twitter feed.

posted by tu recepcja

crss

Selected works by Johnny Smith - image manipulatorJohnny Smith...

















Selected works by Johnny Smith - image manipulator

Johnny Smith (born Jonathan Smith) hails from Houston, Texas, where he attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, studying theater. He graduated from the Univ. of Texas at Austin with a degree in film before landing in Los Angeles. Since being in LA, he has acted in over 34 commercials, written, acted in and directed numerous short films and was featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno when his YouTube series “Scaring Evelyn” went viral.  He is an avid fan of comedy and tries to share that through his collage work.  He enjoys image manipulation while listening to old episodes of Howard Stern or half watching Dateline NBC or The Bachelor/ette.


Want to keep up with art?  Check out our Twitter feed.

posted by tu recepcja

Leon Gast, director of the Oscar-winning documentary When We...







Leon Gast, director of the Oscar-winning documentary When We Were Kings (1996), said of his experience producing the film: “In my career, I spent five days with the Grateful Dead, I travelled with the Hells Angels, and I went to Folsom Prison [for Johnny Cash’s concerts in 1968]. But ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ topped them all. I built a relationship and a rapport with Muhammad Ali and I could never top that experience.”

Eat These 25 Superfoods and be Strong Like Popeye the Sailor Man

Remember Popeye and his love of canned spinach? Every time he’d guzzle a can down he’d almost magically became stronger.

While it seemed far fetched, he was advocating the goodness contained in the leafy greens and although it may not have such a quick effect on our health, there are plenty of superfoods that can boost our health, strength and well-being.

Some Foods Do Have “Superpower”

While eating superfoods won’t give you instant muscles like Popeye, incorporating them into your diet can help you create a healthier lifestyle.

So what exactly are superfoods?

Superfoods aren’t a special acknowledged food group, but rather a label to identify the foods that are extra-rich in nutrients. Mainly plant-based, they contain large doses of vitamins and minerals that go towards helping us live a longer, healthier life. While the jury is still out on whether packing our diets full of superfoods is truly beneficial, many studies have found certain foods do help reverse ageing and reduce risk of cancers, heart disease and diabetes due to eliminating cell damage in the body.

Incorporating superfoods into your diet isn’t hard, you can always start by getting more raw foods

Health and diet go hand in hand. A balanced diet is crucial if we’re to live an optimum healthy life. Therefore, incorporating superfoods into our snacks and meals is a positive step and doesn’t require much effort to do.

When creating a healthier diet, eliminating processed foods is essential and replacing packaged, sugar, salt and fat-laden items with a focus on more raw food choices will get your health boosted.

Unprocessed food habits such as fresh fruit and vegetables, making food from scratch rather than buying ready-made meals and using wholegrains where possible will make it easier to switch to a more positive diet. Being mindful of where your food comes from and asking yourself if what you’re eating has had as little change from being plucked from its original source, is a good habit and mindset to adopt.

Superfoods are everywhere, easy to find and not expensive

With this in mind, here are 25 superfoods that you can easily incorporate into your diet.

1. Blueberries

Blueberries are a great, naturally sweet addition to your diet. Packed full of antioxidants, they help eliminate the free radicals that damage the cells in our body. This means they can help prevent cancer as well as premature ageing. They also help regulate blood sugar levels and even do a lot for the brain – they help with cognitive ability and protects the brain from damage caused by stress.

2. Green Tea

It’s widely known by now that drinking green tea will boost your health in a plethora of ways. It contains a huge amount of antioxidants in just one cup which goes towards reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s, while increasing brain cognitive ability and brain function.

3. Spinach

While it won’t give you muscles like Popeye, spinach does contain other nutrients that are great for your health. In fact, its nutrition reaches around most of the body from bone strength and eye health, to the immune system and brain function. This is because it surprisingly contain omega-3 fatty acids as well as a concentrated amount of essential vitamins.

4. Strawberries

strawberries

These sweet treats are nature’s best and healthiest desserts. They are an excellent source of vitamin C which goes towards optimal immune function. It’s also been found that the antioxidants found in strawberries are particularly good at lowering high cholesterol.

5. Eggs

how to tell if an egg is good

There are many vitamins and minerals found in eggs but what makes them special is the high-quality of these nutrients. Since it’s designed to provide the optimum environment to a growing chick, this is no surprise. But it’s the protein content that makes eggs a superfood as it contains 9 essential amino acids along with iron, selenium, vitamin A and all the B vitamins.

6. Almonds

Almonds are incredibly nutritionally-dense containing good amounts of potassium, calcium, vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorous, and iron. They are thought to help lower bad cholesterol and lower blood pressure in combination with a low-calorie diet. Just make sure to eat them in moderation as just a handful will provide you with what you need.

7. Cranberries

This sour berry shouldn’t be left just for the Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner table. Cranberry juice is a great way to get the antioxidants that this fruit provides. Probably most known for clearing up yeast infections, they also reduce heart disease and can also help stop cancer cells from growing.

8. Lentils

This is a great source of soluble fibre that your digestion will thank you for. But it has other powers that will boost your body functions including regulating blood sugar levels, lowering bad cholesterol and reducing risk of heart disease.

9. Avocados

While avocados are extremely high in fat and should be eaten in reasonable quantities, the average serving will add a lot to your health. Phytochemicals provide protection against cancers while the good fats help reduce bad cholesterol in the body. They’re also good for the blood as they promote good blood flow as well as lowering blood pressure and therefore reducing risks of heart disease. When eaten with other healthy foods, avocados help speed up nutrient-absorption in the body.

10. Walnuts

Low glycemic index foods

While many nuts are good for us, walnuts are particularly beneficial. In moderation they can boost energy levels due to high amounts of iron, manganese and zinc, they’re high in vitamin E making them great for the skin, and lowers blood pressure. Their high antioxidant content mean they help prevent cancers and help eliminate free radicals in the body.

11. Salmon

This is one of many non plant-based superfoods that will benefit your diet. High in omega-3 fatty acids, regular portions of salmon is amazing for your brain. It also contain peptides which contain high anti-inflammatory properties and even improves your mood. Reduction in blood pressure, risk of heart disease and stroke are further benefits of eating this fish.

12. Carrots

We all remember being told that our eyesight will become much better if we chomp down on our carrots, but it also provides many other benefits. These include improving skin conditions due to high amounts of vitamin A, regulate blood sugar and improve the immune system. But carotenoids are the best thing about carrots because they can help prevent many forms of cancer. Eating them raw will allow you to get the most benefits.

13. Goji Berries

Goji berries have exploded into the health-conscious world as the new superfood in town. This is because it contain 18 amino acids making them high in protein meaning increased muscle function, improvement in cognitive ability and boosting the nervous system.

14. Pomegranates

Pomegranates provide a wide variety of health benefits. Not only are they high in fibre for good digestion, they slow down growth in prostate cancer, improves blood circulation and reduces bad cholesterol.

15. Kiwi Fruit

Kiwifruits tend to stay under the radar when it comes to their power. They’re extremely high in antioxidants and vitamin C which means it will boost your immune system no end. It also removes toxins from the body and actually create protection for long term oxidative damage to DNA.

16. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes have a multitude of benefits. They are high in vitamin C and A giving a boost to tissue and the immune health. But they also contain cancer-fighting antioxidants, regulate blood sugar and contain anti-inflammatory properties.

17. Turmeric

turmeric

This spice has got a lot of good press lately. This is because it contains a high concentration of curcumin, an antioxidant. This means if you add this to your dishes you will be helping to prevent inflammation, viruses within the body, and osteoarthritic pain.

18. Seaweed

This probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when picking out superfoods to add to your meals, but seaweed packs a punch when it comes to essential nutrients. It’s main advantage is its amount of iodine which is hard to find in many other foods and prevents thyroid problems. It’s also extremely antioxidant-saturated and helps prevent depression, breast cancer, and help with hormone imbalance in women.

19. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are another superfood to become fashionable but they are for a reason. They contain many different antioxidants that prevent cancers, they’re a great source of omega-3 and protein as well as fibre. All these help with heart health, blood sugar levels, digestion health and optimum functioning of cells.

20. Cauliflower

Not only are they packed full of essential vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin C, fibre and antioxidants, cauliflower contains glucosinolates which are amazing cancer-fighting compounds. They’ve even been found to interact with estrogen in women that helps prevent hormone-related cancers such common ones like cervical and breast cancer.

21. Beetroot

That purple colour contained in beetroot is the secret to its power. They contain betalains that are powerful antioxidants and are thought to ward off cancers and degenerative diseases. It also contains high amounts of iron and folate as well as nitrates and magnesium that help strengthen our vital organs.

22. Broccoli

Like carrots, broccoli is high in carotenoids. But what makes this green vegetable so special is its sulforaphane content. Sulforaphane basically takes cancer prevention to a whole other level by eliminating toxic chemicals from the body. It’s also high in fibre for improved digestion and are super great for the heart.

23. Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are versatile to add to our diets. They are high in good fats which help with regulating hormones. But they also contain vitamin E, phosphorus, selenium, copper and vitamin B. All these help reduce heart disease, reduce high blood pressure, reduce the effects of osteoporosis and bone loss, and balances blood sugar levels reducing risk of developing diabetes.

24. Flaxseed

Flaxseed contains plant omega-3 which is good news if you don’t like oily fish. It also contains compounds called lignans that are thought to prevent certain cancers such as endometrial and ovarian. They are extremely versatile so you can sprinkle them on salads or desserts such as yoghurt.

25. Quinoa

This small seed is a good alternative to rice or couscous but the advantage of switching to this superfood is that it contains all of the nine essential amino acids that our bodies can’t naturally produce. It also packs a punch when it comes to protein so it’s a bonus for keeping our muscles strong.

Eliminating bad habits in our diets and switching to the concept of superfoods isn’t as hard as you think. Most of these foods can be easily added to meals and you don’t need to eat all of them to get overall nutritional benefits. Just pick a few to begin with and make them a staple part of your diet.

The post Eat These 25 Superfoods and be Strong Like Popeye the Sailor Man appeared first on Lifehack.



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