4 Great Reasons Why You Should Be Using Coconut Oil

06/15/2015 Leave a comment

Photo credit: Tom Woodward CC BY-SA 2.0

There is a widespread misconception that coconut oil is bad for you because it contains saturated fat. However, people all over the world are reaping the health benefits of coconut oil, and it’s truly one of the healthiest oils you can consume. Here are 4 reasons why you should use coconut oil as an alternative to other traditional cooking oils.

1.  Coconut oil boosts your metabolism.

Not only is coconut oil easily converted to energy by your body, it also increases your metabolism and promotes weight loss. Because it boosts your metabolism, it helps your body burn fat more effectively.

Coconut oil may triple your calorie burn. Since coconut oil is a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT), it is converted to energy so quickly that it creates a lot of heat. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, MCT’s burn three times more calories for six hours after a meal than LCT’s.

The February 15, 2005 issue of Woman’s World magazine stated that coconut oil is the “underground high-metabolism secret.”

This is great news for people who have thyroid problems, since coconut oil improves sluggish thyroids by stimulating the production of extra thyroid hormones. Most other common oils, like vegetable (soy) and corn have been shown to inhibit thyroid function.

2.  Coconut oil can improve skin and hair health

Coconut oil one of the best things you can apply directly on your skin and hair, as it helps to alleviate skin problems such as rashes, dry skin and eczema. You can also use this oil to help heal and restore skin to a younger appearance, or even use it as a makeup remover.

Not only does it soften and smooth your skin, coconut oil has antioxidant properties that protect the skin from free radical damage. Coconut oil makes excellent massage oil, too.

3.  Coconut oil vs. other oils

Coconut oil has anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial effects when both consumed and used topically on the skin.

Most oils oxidize and turn rancid very quickly causing free radical damage in our bodies. Coconut oil is not easily oxidized and does not cause harmful free radical damage like polyunsaturated vegetable oils. Free radical damage is thought to be responsible for many ailments in our body from arthritis to increased susceptibility to cancers.

Coconut oil also helps our bodies absorb other nutrients more effectively, such as the fat-soluble vitamins A, E, D and K.

4.  Coconut oil is one of the best oils you can use for cooking.

Coconut oil has a higher smoke point than olive oil, which means it can take higher temperatures better. There are several healthy omega-3 oils we can choose to consume, such as flax and olive oil, but they don’t do well under the high heat we use for cooking. Therefore, coconut oil is really the best choice when cooking at higher temperatures.

It’s harder for coconut oil to go rancid, unlike other cooking oils, which are usually rancid long before you even bring them home. Coconut oil, on the other hand, is stable for over a year at room temperature.

I’ve only mentioned four reasons why you should be using coconut oil, but there are many additional uses and health benefits. So, go ahead and blend a little coconut oil into your favorite smoothie, or add it to bitter greens like kale. It also makes a nutritious addition to oatmeal or your favorite baked veggie recipes. Be as creative as you want and enjoy the incredible health benefits of this tropical oil.

 

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7 Ways to Help Your Overweight Child Lose Weight Safely

05/14/2015 Leave a comment

Photo credit: Public Domain

If you’re trying to help your overweight child lose weight safely, begin by making gradual lifestyle changes and avoid the popular fad diets. Changes to diet and lifestyle will take time and patience, so take it one step at a time and get the whole family involved in making healthier choices.  Also, you should first talk to your child’s physician or see a nutritionist to obtain guidance or goals on a target weight.

Here is a quick list of 7 healthy suggestions to help your family conquer obesity:

  1. Be a healthy role model. Children will generally pay closer attention to your actions rather than your words, so the very best thing you can do is set a good example by practicing healthy lifestyle habits yourself. Your health and weight directly affect your child’s health and weight. In fact, according to Stanford News, if both parents are overweight the risk of becoming an overweight adult jumps to nearly 50 percent. You can set your kids up for success by lining your refrigerator and pantry with plenty of quick and easy healthy snacks, such as whole wheat crackers with low-fat cheese; apple wedges with yogurt; high-fiber granola bars with oats, nuts & seeds; carrots and celery with peanut butter and raisins.
  1. Keep it positive. No one enjoys receiving negative feedback. Talk to your child with compassion and encouragement. Avoid saying negative phrases like ‘you need to lose weight’. Instead, say ‘Let’s be healthy and start taking care of our bodies’. Focus on the foods you can eat, not the foods you should be limiting or cutting out. Avoid saying, ‘don’t eat that.’ Instead, use positive language by saying something like ‘Let’s go pick out fruits and make a fruit salad, and then we can go for a family bike ride.’ This way you are making healthy eating and exercise something that is fun to do.
  1. Make healthy eating a family affair. Try to schedule at least one meal a day that is unhurried and involves the whole family. Don’t make a special ‘diet’ meal for the person who is overweight. Everyone in the family can benefit from eating healthy meals, regardless of weight, and a family that eats together, eats better, according to a recent study in the journal Archives of Family Medicine. Children who report having regular family dinners have healthier diets than their peers who don’t, the study showed.
  1. Eat a well-balanced breakfast. A healthy breakfast should include a carbohydrate, a protein and a little fat, which will keep your children more alert during school. Carbs provide immediate energy, whereas protein and fat help you feel fuller, longer. So, instead of choosing sugary cereals and pastries, have a bowl of high-fiber oatmeal with blueberries & almonds (or almond milk), or whip up some scrambled eggs with a slice of whole-wheat toast. If you’re really running late, grab a yogurt or a bagel with peanut butter or low fat cream cheese. Do not skip breakfast. Studies have shown that weight loss is much more difficult in people who skip breakfast.
  1. Make time for physical activity. Make physical activity a family event. Every night after dinner in the summer, go for a half-hour walk or bike ride, and make it an activity that kids look forward to. If you can afford it, enroll your kids in their favorite dancing or sporting activity. Make exercise fun, not a chore or something they HAVE to do. If your kids are young, they may enjoy hide-and-seek or hopscotch. Kick a soccer ball or play some football with older children.
  1. Watch your portions.  When serving the food, try to portion out meals on dishes and avoid buffet-type or family-style eating. Resist the first temptation to have seconds, then check in with yourself to see if you are really hungry. ChooseMyPlate.gov is a great resource for learning more about portion control for kids.
  1. Don’t say diet. If you put your child on any diet, you might be setting them up for an eating disorder – whether binge eating or closet eating or another type of disorder. Instead, focus on forming healthy lifestyle habits that will eventually result in long-term weight loss and better overall health.

 

 

 

Filed under children, diet, exercise, health, healthy eating, kids, weight loss

10 Ways to Achieve Fitness Success

04/17/2015 Leave a comment

Exercise and Nutrition for the VegetarianHow many of you struggle to stay consistent with a workout program? Do you tend to throw in the towel within the first 3 months? Well, you’re not alone by any means. Unfortunately, what many people don’t realize is that had they stuck it out a little longer, they would have succeeded. Make exercise a lifelong habit, and choose activities that you enjoy doing. If exercise becomes a chore, then you will lose interest and give up.

Incorporating positive lifestyle changes will require time and patience. There is no quick fix. If you make exercise and eating right a habit, then usually by the 3rd or 4th month you will start to see some light at the end of the tunnel. So, don’t give up! Stick with it, and you will see results!

Here are 10 simple ways to achieve fitness success.

  • Get up and move! Make a decision to engage in a variety of physical activities on a consistent basis that will develop cardiovascular capacity, strength, balance, and flexibility.
  • Rev the engine. Participate in physical activities that involve the large muscle groups of the body, such as biking, swimming, running, skiing and jumping rope, just to name a few.
  • Get stronger. Resistance training is a must for toning, strengthening, and sculpting the body. This is especially important for those trying to lose weight. The more lean muscle you have, the higher your metabolism. You will burn more calories, even when you’re not working out! You should do strength training exercises at least 2 non-consecutive days a week, and a minimum of 20 minutes per session.
  • Get flexible. Always stretch before, during, and after exercise to help improve physical performance, increase joint range of motion, and prevent injury. Remember to move your muscles through their full range of motion on a regular basis.
  • Win the losing game. Strive to keep your weight at an appropriate level. If you need to lose weight, a general rule to follow is to eat less and exercise more (both in moderation).
  • You are what you eat. Make a goal to eat healthy at least 75 to 80 percent of the time. You can easily out-eat any exercise program, so choose quality over quantity. Stick to whole foods whenever possible, and greatly reduce your consumption of processed foods. Sugar is one of the biggest no-no’s, and it’s a major metabolic disruptor. So, begin by staying away from sugar and you’ll make a huge dent in your weight loss efforts and dramatically improve your overall health.
  • Go easy. Try to keep matters of your life in proper perspective. Know what factors you can and cannot control in your life. Don’t stress out over those things beyond your control. See change as an opportunity, not a threat.
  • Get your Zzzz’s on. Most people need at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep to feel refreshed, alert and in relative good spirits the next day. Sleep helps to rest and restore your body both physically and mentally.
  • Focus on the task at hand. Make time to exercise on a regular basis. Consistency gets results. Focus on the muscles that you are training. Don’t just go through the motions. When you get discouraged, remember your “why” for choosing to live a healthier lifestyle. Are you doing it for your kids? To live a better quality of life? To live long enough to see your grandkids?
  • Persistence and hard work pays off. Commit to sound lifestyle choices and you will achieve your health goals. For example, I will quit smoking or stop eating fast foods. Maintain an appropriate level of body fat. Avoid the latest fitness and diet fads, magic potions and exercise gadgets that seem too good to be true (they always are).

Are you ready to achieve fitness success? If yes, then click on the banner below.

 

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3 Unhealthy Habits that are Holding You Back

04/10/2015 Leave a comment

Photo credit: Pedro Ribeiro Simões CC-BY-2.0

Throughout life we will make choices that will form good or bad habits in our daily routine. Those bad habits are the ones that will potentially put us on a path to an unhealthy, stressful life. Once we recognize what these bad habits are, it’s easier to form a plan of action to eliminate them altogether. It will take some effort and discipline in order to maintain a new way of life, but it is doable. We tend to stand in our own way most of the time and that is what holds us back from change. What are these habits that hold us back from a successful, happy life?

Nobody is Perfect! – Feeling the need to be perfect all of the time will not only do harm to any progress you could make, but it also does something to your self-confidence. You will constantly feel like you come up short if you are always striving to be perfect. Let’s face it, no one is perfect and you don’t need to be. Success doesn’t depend on perfection, but rather depends on your ability to take action and follow through with the goals you set. You can’t be truly happy if you are always reaching for something that will never happen. Understanding this about yourself is the first step in overcoming it. Make a plan, take action, and put it out there. If it’s not perfect at first, don’t stress about it. There is always time to make changes and improvements.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Others – This is one of the biggest mistakes we can make as humans. We are all different in a way that is unique to each and every one of us. We damage our own self-worth by comparing our life with someone else’s, because we always come up short feeling like we are not good enough. Every person, every situation, and every life is unique. There are circumstances in one person’s life that brought them to where they are today. You can’t compare your journey to theirs simply because of that. It’s important to value yourself and what you have to offer because it is enough.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy! – Some people spend so much time worrying about the outcome of a situation that no action is taken. This means nothing gets accomplished and any goals they’ve set will fall by the wayside. Worrying is a useless emotion, and it does nothing but torment us into conjuring up scenarios that will never come to be. No one knows what the future holds, so what is the point of worrying about it? Worrying that a business venture will fail or a product launch will fall flat are just one of those things that can happen on the road to success. Whatever will be, will be. There is no sense in ruining your day and stressing over issues that may or may not happen.

We have a way of backing ourselves into a corner with some of these unhealthy habits. They not only keep us from achieving the success we deserve, but also messes with our confidence and self-esteem. We can overcome these habits through discipline and consistency. Focus on the habits you have and take the steps to get past them. Read books, do research, and be persistent when it comes reaching your goals and creating a healthy, less stressful life.

 

 

 

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Hiking and Biking: Get Out and Get Some Fresh Air

03/31/2015 Leave a comment

Photo credit: Robin Reichert

In this fast paced life, we don’t often stop to smell the roses or pause to reflect on how beautiful this world really is.  There are many benefits to getting outside, breathing in some fresh air, and taking in the nature around us. This is especially true for busy families who barely have time to eat dinner together.

Two activities that can pull a family together and get them moving are hiking and biking. Not only will you get some great exercise, but also you will be able to connect with your family again and strengthen those relationships. Not only that, but both hiking and biking have some fantastic benefits.

Great cardio – We all know how important it is to incorporate exercise into a daily/weekly routine, but this is sometimes hard to stick to, especially for busy families.  However, both hiking and biking are wonderful ways to get that important workout without having to visit a gym every night. Both are wonderful for your cardiovascular system. Your blood gets pumping and all those unused muscles are put to work helping to build strength and muscle tone.

Low/No Cost – Hiking and biking have a huge advantage over many other workouts. They are both totally free to enjoy whenever you choose. Of course, you will need bicycles and possibly some good hiking boots, but other than that you are free and clear to enjoy these activities without worrying about them impacting your bank account.

Stress reduction – It has been proven that outdoor activities, fresh air, and sunshine can help reduce stress or worry in your life.  Getting outside with your family and connecting with them in a different way can do a world of good on any worrisome issues that are plaguing you. Without the weight of the world pushing down on your shoulders, it will be easier to enjoy your family time together, laughing and bonding in a way you wouldn’t otherwise.

Variety – Both of these activities provide variety in your workout. When you hit the gym, it can often become monotonous and boring to stare at a television screen while on the treadmill or stationary bike. When you get outdoors and take a bike ride or hike one of the trails, you get to take in different scenery every time you go. Keep each member of the family involved and give everyone a chance to pick where they want to go one of the times you are out and about.

There are benefits to just about any outdoor activity you choose. Hiking and biking are wonderful simply because they allow you and your family to get back to the basics and take in all the wonders nature has to offer. It’s a great way to connect with your family and take in some beautiful scenery at the same time. The fresh air, cool breeze, and quiet calm can make you see things from a different perspective and enjoy your family time and what really matters in life.

 

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Enjoy Exercising with 4 Simple Changes

03/05/2015 Leave a comment

Photo credit: RadioKAOS [CC-BY-SA 3.0]

If you are like the majority of people, the mere thought of exercising is enough to have your mind make up all kinds of reasons why you should not, could not, and perhaps will not exercise. However, once you begin to exercise on a regular basis, you will be amazed at how exercise can transform the way you look, feel and think. The key is to make exercise fun and something that you look forward to doing.

Here are a few ideas to help you create a fitness routine that is interesting and enjoyable, so you can make it a lasting part of your life.

 

Find a Workout Partner

Often times we may view exercise regimens as solitary confinement – like a sentence we have to endure all on our own. Guaranteed you have a pal or co-worker who feels exactly the same way. The old adage that misery loves company would apply in this situation. However, once you get together with a friend to exercise and actually go to the gym or take that power walk or a Zumba class, you will begin to see how much fun it really is and begin to enjoy exercising.

Change Your Perception of Exercise

Only you have the ability to change how you perceive something. Only when you have associated positive thoughts and feelings with exercise will you begin to override the negative connotations with exercising. You will find that excuses, such as being tired or not having enough time, will be outweighed by feelings of accomplishment, such as recognition that you burned 500 calories that night or even the simple fact that you feel energized and were glad you went.

Focus on the positive results and feelings you get the first time you go to exercise and bring that feeling back up to the forefront of your mind the next time you are heading out to exercise.

Spice It Up!

Be creative with your exercise routines and regimens. You do not have to think about gigantic machinery that you are unfamiliar with or a gym full of strangers. Find something you love to do and incorporate that into exercise. For some, that is walking briskly and for others it is dancing your heart out. Dance is not only a creative outlet, it is also one that will burn hundreds of calories. Even if you are not a professional dancer, taking a swing class or a jazz class is only the beginning to discovering one of the secrets to enjoying exercise.

Make It a Date

If you leave exercising to a chance date or time, you will more than likely set yourself up for failure. Make a specific date and time for exercise, whether you go out to the gym or do it at home. Write in on your calendar, put it on your to do list and commit to it. After you are done, you will be glad you did.

 

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4 Healthy Habits to Help Manage Stress and Maintain Calm

02/20/2015 Leave a comment

Photo credit: Public Domain

Stress, especially chronic stress, is an unhealthy disadvantage of living in this fast-paced, 24/7 world. We get so caught up in work, family, children’s activities, grocery store runs, and keeping the household running smoothly that we end up creating a daily routine of unhealthy habits. It doesn’t have to be this way, however. We have the ability to make better choices, beat the stress, and a live a life that allows us to breath and enjoy each minute. What are some healthy habits we can pick up that will help maintain a sense of calm and keep stress levels in check?

Get more sleep – This may seem like a no brainer, but it’s surprising how many people don’t allow themselves a good night’s sleep. If you deprive yourself of this time of rest, you will begin to let stress creep in and issues that come along will seem bigger than they really are. Remember to let yourself unwind a little bit before going to sleep. This will prevent you from lying in bed thinking about the events of the day, and, in turn, not being able to fall asleep easily.

Meditation – Begin the day with a meditation session. It doesn’t have to be extremely long, but even 10 minutes of quiet and calm will make a world of difference on how the day unfolds. Wake up a half hour earlier and make time to get in touch with your goals for the day and what you hope to accomplish. Find a quiet spot where you won’t be bothered, and take advantage of that time to focus on breathing and just being in the moment.

Write it down – Writing down your thoughts for the day can help to rid your mind and body of unwanted stressors that bog you down. Getting it all out of your head and down on paper has a calming effect that makes any situation seem better. You can do this in the morning or when you are winding down during the evening hours. Just pick a time that feels comfortable for you and make it a daily routine.

Read a good book – Read one of your favorite, uplifting books to help calm your mind from a long, demanding day and to prepare you for a restful nights sleep. If you’re not into reading that much, you can always choose the audio version of the book and listen while you relax. You can also get up early in the morning and choose this time to read, if that is what fits your schedule.

There are numerous ways to maintain a set of healthy habits in your daily routine. If you can find a way to carve out a little quiet, relaxing “you” time on a daily basis, not only will you make daily stresses more manageable, but also improve your productivity, concentration and overall health. You just need to plan ahead and take action to make your life as calm and stress free as you want it to be. Find out what activities fit your family life and schedule, and then set some goals for everyone involved. Your whole family can benefit from this, and you will see a noticeable difference in the stress level all around.

 

 

Filed under stress, WELLNESS

Not Consuming Enough Fruits and Veggies? Try Drinking Them!

01/23/2015 Leave a comment

Photo credit: Kari Sullivan CC-BY-2.0

If you are looking for a way to add more fruits and veggies to your diet, smoothies are one of the quickest and easiest ways to do it. And the great thing about them is that you can get as creative as you want – adding this and that – coming up with unique tastes to suit you and your family. But if you don’t feel comfortable just ‘winging’ it and creating your own, look online for recipes – you’ll find lots to choose from.

Using smoothies as a way to add more fruits and vegetables into your diet is also great because some people don’t like the texture or taste of certain vegetables, such as spinach or kale, but they find that mixing it in a smoothie is delicious.

Another benefit of smoothies is that if you have picky kids who make faces at just the mention of fruits and veggies, you can ensure that they’re getting more of them by ‘sneaking’ them into a smoothie. Because the flavors all blend together, they’ll never even know they drank something they didn’t like.

Now that we’ve touched on the benefits, let’s take a look at some of the fruits and vegetables you can use in a smoothie.

  • Spinach
  • Lettuce
  • Tomatoes
  • Cucumber
  • Carrots
  • Kale
  • Celery
  • Strawberries
  • Bananas
  • Pineapple
  • Plums
  • Peaches
  • Nectarines
  • Kiwi
  • Blueberries
  • Swiss Chard

This is definitely not an exhaustive list of the fruits and vegetables you can use in smoothies. It’s just some of the basic ones to give you an idea of what you can use. You should also get creative and experiment with some exotic fruits and vegetables such as papaya, mango, and beets.

There are a few things you should keep in mind when creating smoothies. Let’s take a look at those now.

  1. Avoid fruit juices – instead use things like water, milk, coconut water, etc. for your liquid. Fruit juices add a lot of unwanted calories.
  2. Preparation of fruits and vegetables – if you want your smoothie to be a smoother consistency, chop/dice them as small as possible.
  3. Choose organic fruits and veggies whenever possible to reduce exposure to toxins, such as pesticides.

And in case you need a recipe to help get you started, the one below is a nice combination of a fruit and vegetable combination smoothie.

Mixed Berry & Kale Smoothie Recipe

Couple handfuls of frozen or fresh mixed berries (such as strawberries, blueberry, raspberries, pomegranate & cherries)
1-2 cups chopped kale
1/2 cup soy (or almond) milk
1 tablespoon flax seeds

*Not a fan of kale? Try spinach instead.

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until desired consistency is reached.

There you have it, an overview of how quickly and easily you can add more fruits and vegetables into your diet simply by adding them to a smoothie. Try drinking a smoothie every morning for breakfast or replace one snack a day with a smoothie to help guarantee you’ll get more of the fruits and vegetables you need in your daily diet.

 

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3 Fitness Tips for Getting Your Kids Off the Couch

01/15/2015 Leave a comment

Photo credit: Vastateparksstaff (Family bike ride Uploaded by AlbertHerring) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

Our world today revolves around the latest technology in the form of smartphones, tablets, and video game systems. Big name companies compete to bring us the latest and greatest technology and it not only has an affect on adults, but children as well.

Children today are growing up in a completely different world than it was 20 years ago. There are first graders with cell phones, teens who would rather text than talk, and video games with such lifelike graphics it’s scary. The lure of these video games is especially strong in children and teens and brings with it the problem of little or no outside activity in this age group. As parents, it’s important to know how to get your children involved in something other than staring at a TV screen or holding a game controller all day long.

Be the example – Parents can set an excellent example for their children if they are active in their daily routine. If your child sees you exercising or spending more time outside than in front of the television, they will most likely follow your example as they grow older. It may take a little bit of nudging to get them to put the cell phone down, but it will happen. Likewise, if you are a couch potato, or have your nose stuck in the computer all day, they will be more apt to follow in your footsteps. Be the person that you would want your child to be. If you keep that in mind, it won’t be hard to set good habits in motion for the whole family.

Create a routine – A daily routine can help your child get rid of bad habits and instill some discipline in the whole family. Talk to your child about getting on a schedule and let them be involved in creating a routine that works for all of you. Limit the amount of time your child is in front of the television, on the Internet, or on his/her cell phone and stick to it. Make a trip to the park or a walk outside part of your daily routine. If it’s too cold outside, play a game of tag or hide and seek just to get yourself and your child moving. Small daily steps can help to break some bad habits and lead you into a new way of life.

Find activities your child will enjoy – This can be anything from organized sports at school to a daily trip to the local gym. Talk to your child about getting involved in school activities that will keep them moving. If he/she isn’t much of a sports fanatic, there are a ton of other ways to keep them active. Going on a family hike, swimming, or simply blasting some music and dancing around the living room are some fun ways to keep in shape and have fun while doing it.

It may take some time to establish a routine that works for you and your family, but don’t give up. Make small changes on a daily basis to get your child used to any form of daily activity. Pretty soon, a trip to the park or playing ball outside will be the new normal instead of coming home to play video games or surf the Internet. Making small daily changes not only forms better habits in your child, but in your whole family.

 

Filed under children, exercise, family exercise, fitness, outdoor exercise, swimming, youth Tagged with

Is Your Mindset Holding You Back?

12/04/2014 Leave a comment

Your mindset is either your greatest strength… or your biggest weakness. It determines how you view life, your attitude towards what happens, and how you will react. Those who have a positive, growth mindset are much more likely to succeed at what they set out to accomplish. The mindset we have can hold us back or take us to our highest level. It all depends on how we think, what we think, and the actions we take thereafter. What are some ways you can ensure your mindset is geared for success? What are some characteristics that sets one person apart from another?

No Limitations – A person with a growth mindset doesn’t allow themselves to have limitations. They believe they deserve to succeed in life and will do what it takes to get there. They don’t go moping around, claiming to be a victim of the economy believing that they are stuck where they are at. They prepare, they plan, and they take action. They don’t believe the naysayers and follow through with what they start. These people see their potential and don’t limit themselves based on the fear that they are not good enough or smart enough. They make things happen.

Facing Fear – Just because someone has a mindset that is geared for success doesn’t mean they never feel fear. It just means they face it head on. They don’t let the “what if’s” stand in their way and they use obstacles as stepping-stones on their journey. Fear is the biggest thing that holds people back from their best potential. Whether it’s fear of failure, fear of being laughed at, or fear of success itself there are an endless amount of reasons they can use to stay where they are at in life. It’s the ones who don’t let that mounting fear stop them that become the most successful, best versions of themselves. They make it a goal to step out of their comfort zone and do things that most people do not.

Focused Purpose – Those that understand why they do what they do and have an idea of where they are going in life have the strongest mindset. Having a focused purpose in life makes it so much simpler to overcome obstacles because you know what you are ultimately working for. This is the starting point to success. You must figure out what you want to work towards. This can only be done through a growth mindset and someone who thinks outside the box. Finding your purpose in life will not only allow you to focus on what’s important but it will be much easier to follow through and truly go for what you want.

Your mindset can be your greatest tool for a successful life. It will hold you down for a lifetime if you let it. Having a growth mindset allows the world to be at your fingertips because you don’t close your mind to anything. Everyday there is a new possibility for success for someone with this type of mindset. Don’t hold yourself back with senseless limitations and fear just because you don’t know what the future holds. Taking that first step outside your comfort zone could be the breath of fresh air you need in your life.

 

Filed under mind, mindset, positive thinking, success

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