10 Ways To Improve Sleep

10 Ways To Improve Sleep

1. Limit Caffeine Night 3 to 4 Hours Before Bed Time

2. Air Quality – Room Temp, Open A Window If Possible

3. Air Quality – Pet Dander / Air Filter / Air Ionizer

4. Personal Comfort -ie. Use Ear Plugs or Eye Masks If Needed

5. Bed Comfort – Back ie. A Quality Matress Counts

6. Bed Comfort – Head & Neck ie. Your Pillow Has A Purpose

7. Sheets – Quality, Soft, Clean, Fresh

8. Exercise – Using The Body Naturally Makes It Tired

9. Practice Relaxation or Quality Alone Time

10. Change Your Alarm – Switch to Soothing ie. Sound

See more progress on: alive at five

Overcoming Challenges With Creative Thinking

* Overcoming Challenges With Creative Thinking
By Thom Scott

How many times have you caught yourself saying that there could be no other solution to a problem - and that that problem leads to a dead end? How many times have you felt stumped knowing that the problem lying before you is one you cannot solve? No leads. No options. No solutions.

Did it feel like you had exhausted all possible options and yet are still before the mountain - large, unconquerable, and impregnable? When encountering such enormous problems, you may feel like you're hammering against a steel mountain. The pressure of having to solve such a problem may be overwhelming.

Lighten up! There might be some hope yet! With some creative problem-solving techniques you may be able to look at your problem in a different light. And that light might just be the end of the tunnel that leads to possible solutions.

First of all, it is vital that you re-frame your problem as a challenge. Doing so will equip you with hope of a successful outcome versus the hopelessness of having an unsolvable problem. This positive mindset will enable your mind to recognize potential solutions that you would not otherwise see before you.

This is really no different from a baseball player who experiences the success that they've already envisioned, versus the player who gets themselves in a "slump" because they've determined that "they can't hit against a lefty, or aren't able to compete without steroids, etc..." It may sound simplistic, but Henry Ford couldn't have been more profound when he talked about one of the vital keys to success, "Whether you think you can or think you can't - you are right!" Now that we believe our challenge can be solved, we are free to be more creative in overcoming it.

Number one; maybe the reason we are having difficulty overcoming our challenge is that we have not taken a hard look at what the challenge really is. Here, trying to understanding the challenge and having a concrete understanding of its workings is integral to overcoming it. If you know how it works, what the issue really is, then you have a better foundation towards reaching a successful conclusion.

Look at all sides of the challenge including the positives that may lie within it. I've been told that the Chinese symbol for "threat" is the same symbol used to express "opportunity." How true this can often be. Try to identify the participating entities and what their relationships with one another are. Take note of the things you stand to gain and stand to lose from the current challenge. Now you have increased your possibility thinking. With this type of thinking, someone who is in debt may think of ways in which to amass a fortune, rather than just focus on the struggle to get back to ground zero.

Number two; try to take note of all of the constraints and assumptions you have about solving your challenge. Sometimes it is these assumptions that obstruct our view of possible solutions. You have to identify which assumptions are valid and which assumptions should be discarded.

Number three; try to solve the challenge in small chunks. Solve it going from general view towards the more detailed parts of the challenge. This is called the top-down approach. Write down a positive question about your challenge, and then come up with a one-sentence solution to that question. It will likely be a large goal that you may still have trouble envisioning yourself accomplishing. But, from here you can develop the solution further, breaking it down to the step-by-step daily actions that will set you on the road to success over your challenge. Our friend, Jeff Olson, addresses this subject better than anyone I know in his book, "The Slight Edge - Secret to a Successful Life."

Number four; although it helps to employ critical thinking to solve challenges, you must also keep a creative voice at the back of your head. When you or someone else comes up with a prospective solution, try first to think how you could make that solution work versus thinking of the ways that it won't. Suspend your analysis and critical thinking until you have developed your list of possible, not necessarily probable, solutions. You will then be able to go through this list and, more or less, rank the probability of which solution will pay off. You will be able to choose the best solution from several possible ones versus straining to come up with the perfect one immediately.

This "Ready, Fire, Aim" approach is one of the secret keys to true creativity. Sure, you miss the mark more often than not - and more often than most people. But, you will also come up with far more creative solutions and ideas than anyone else as well. I employ this technique every day - whether I am coming up with a headline for a new advertising campaign, or attempting to overcome a business mistake or challenge.

Number five; To get outside your own paradigm, it's often good to get outside yourself. This involves enlisting a trusted friend, colleague or mentor who can, perhaps, look at your challenge from a completely different perspective. This is especially true when the person you're talking to has had experience solving challenges similar to yours. You don't have to be a solo superhero to solve the problem. Organizing and evaluating collective thoughts on a subject is often much more powerful.

Number six; be patient. As long as you persevere, there is always a chance that a solution will present itself. When it comes to overcoming a challenge, the ability to get up, dust yourself off and try again - a different way - will ALWAYS make you successful in the end.

Number seven; Employ creative thinking exercises to help yourself become a better problem solver. Here is just one you can practice. Take a piece of paper and write any word that comes to mind at the center. Now look at that word then write the first two words that come to your mind. This can go on until you can build a tree of related words. This helps you build analogical thinking skills which further your ability to think of multiple solutions to your challenges.

So, think you may be facing a problem that has no solution? Think again, start by re-framing your problem as a challenge and go through the steps I mentioned in order to open up the floodgates of possibility in all areas of your life.

(More articles by Thom are available on his blog at )

Four Rules of Time - By Brian Tracy

There are four rules of time.

The first is that time is perishable.

This means that it cannot be saved. In fact, time can only be spent. Because time is perishable, the only thing you can do with it is to spend it differently, to reallocate your time away from activities of low value and toward activities of higher value. But once it is gone, it is gone forever.

Time is Indispensable

The second rule of time is that time is indispensable. All work requires time. No matter what it is you want to do in life, even looking out a window or sleeping in for a few extra minutes, it requires a certain amount of time. And according to the 10/90 Rule, the 10% of time that you take to plan your activities carefully in advance will save you 90% of the effort involved in achieving your goals later. The very act of thinking through and planning your work in advance will dramatically reduce the amount of time that it takes you to do the actual job.

The Currency of the Future

The third rule of time is that time is irreplaceable. Nothing else will do, especially in relationships. Time is the only currency that means anything in your relationships with the members of your family, your friends, colleagues, customers and coworkers. Truly effective people give a lot of thought to creating blocks of time that they can then spend, without interruption, with the important people in their lives.

Spell the Word Correctly

There is a question: "How do children spell the word 'Love?'" And the answer is "T-I-M-E." It is the same with your spouse, as well. The important people in your life equate the amount of time that you spend with them, face to face, head to head, knee to knee, with the amount that you actually love them. Grow Your RelationshipsThe more time that you spend with another person, especially a member of your family, the deeper grows your understanding and affection for that person. If you get too busy to spend time with your children, you eventually lose contact with them and they go off into their own personal world of school, peers and other activities.

The Key to Goal-Achievement

The fourth rule is that time is essential for accomplishment. Every goal you want to achieve, everything you want to accomplish, requires time. In fact, one of the smartest things you ever do, when you set a goal, is to sit down and allocate the exact amount of time that you are going to have to invest to achieve that goal. The failure to do this almost always leaves the goal unaccomplished.

Action Exercises

Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action: First, decide today to redirect and reallocate your time away from low-value tasks and toward high-value activities.

Second, make a plan to spend more time face-to-face with the most important people in your life. The more you think about the use of your time, the better you will become.

Life's Biggest Secret Revealed, And It's NOT The Law of Attraction!

“The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you’re willing to work.”
- Oprah Winfrey

Life Would Be Easy... If It Weren't for COMMUNICATION Differences by Connie Podesta

Life Would Be Easy... If It Weren't for COMMUNICATION Differences by Connie Podesta

Sometimes it seems that folks just don't get it. No matter what you say or how you say it, they simply don't have a clue - and don't seem too worried about getting one either! It's not their nature to understand; that's just how they "are." Maybe so, but more often than not, the problem is a result of a communication breakdown.
In this digitally inter-connected world, you'd think we could "fix" such basic differences. Unfortunately, it's not as easy as plugging another device into the system. Maybe they're the problem. Maybe you are. We all know difficult people - and, in fact, we can all be the difficult person.

A little background on communication styles can help us understand the issues and learn how to alter our approach to eventually make life a little easier for both parties.

The Basics

Every time we speak, we choose and use one of four basic communication styles: assertive, aggressive, passive and passive-aggressive.

Assertive Communication

The most effective and healthiest form of communication is the assertive style. It's how we naturally express ourselves when our self-esteem is intact, giving us the confidence to communicate without games and manipulation.

When we are being assertive, we work hard to create mutually satisfying solutions. We communicate our needs clearly and forthrightly. We care about the relationship and strive for a win/win situation. We know our limits and refuse to be pushed beyond them just because someone else wants or needs something from us. Surprisingly, assertive is the style most people use least.

Aggressive Communication

Aggressive communication always involves manipulation. We may attempt to make people do what we want by inducing guilt (hurt) or by using intimidation and control tactics (anger). Covert or overt, we simply want our needs met - and right now! Although there are a few arenas where aggressive behavior is called for (i.e., sports or war), it will never work in a relationship. Ironically, the more aggressive sports rely heavily on team members and rational coaching strategies.

Passive Communication

Passive communication is based on compliance and hopes to avoid confrontation at all costs. In this mode we don't talk much, question even less, and actually do very little. We just don't want to rock the boat. Passives have learned that it is safer not to react and better to disappear than to stand up and be noticed.

Passive-Aggressive Communication

A combination of styles, passive-aggressive avoids direct confrontation (passive), but attempts to get even through manipulation (aggressive). If you've ever thought about making that certain someone who needs to be "taught a thing or two" suffer (even just a teeny bit), you've stepped pretty close to (if not on into) the devious and sneaky world of the passive-aggressive.

So now what?

Clearly, for many reasons, the only healthy communication style is assertive communication. Surely you can identify many people in your own life that favor each of the four styles. Most of us use a combination of these four styles, depending on the person or situation. The styles we choose generally depend on what our past experiences have taught us will work best to get our needs met in each specific situation. If you take a really good look at yourself, you've probably used each throughout your lifetime.

Understanding the four basic types of communication will help you learn how to react most effectively when confronted with a difficult person. It will also help you recognize when you are using manipulative behavior to get your own needs met. Remember, you always have a choice as to which communication style you use. If you're serious about taking control of your life, practice being more assertive. It will help you diffuse anger, reduce guilt and build relationships - both personally and professionally.

Take Action!

Begin to pay attention to which communication styles you use throughout the day. How often do you use a communication style other than assertive?

Watch and identify the communication styles some of the difficult people in your life use. Can you begin to notice how others use manipulative techniques to get their way.

Powerful lessons in your house number

Powerful lessons in your house number

There are no accidents. You subconsciously choose your specific home for a reason. Apart from the energy patterns in the shape of your home, you can also look at the numerology of your house number you discover additional energies that are supporting you, and energy that's there to provide the lessons you need. The more aware you are of the energies impacting you, the more you can intentionally use them to empower you on your journey through life.

Each vibration gives you what we need. Here you can discover the energy you were unconsciously attracted to when you chose your home, present and past. Used in conjunction with Feng Shui you have tools to use in choosing your next home.

How to calculate the numerology of your home:

Add each number and if the total is more than 9, add those numbers to get a number between 1-9. For example:

658 Knoll Street is a 1 vibration
6+5+8=19
1+9=10
1+0=1

1006 Wellington Road is a 7 vibration
1+0+0+6=7

If you have an apartment number and a street number, the apartment number will have the strongest impact, but both will influence you. For example:

#59-2520 Johnson Road. Your primary influence is a 5 vibration, and secondary is a 9 vibration
5+9=14
1+4=5

2+5+2+0=9
Below you'll discover the energy each number represents. Have fun with this. The flow of energy in your home and the energy associated with your house number are important aspects of the big picture of your life.

What your number means

These are the energies associated with each number and the challenges you could experience living in this energy. There is always a balance of yin and yang and you can use both to support you.

One Energy: independence and new beginnings, self-development, individuality, creativity

Possible Challenges: completing things, going it alone, you may feel isolated

Suggestions: intentional self-growth, ask for and receive support

Two Energy: marriage/partnerships, relationship lessons, giving to others, connection with others in the home, peace and diplomacy, empathy

Possible Challenges: oversensitivity, can appear to exclude others

Suggestions: listen to your inner voice, be involved in the outside world

Three Energy: miracles, openness, optimism, expansion, self-expression, big vision for your life, rich social life

Possible Challenges: expand too quickly, scattered energies, 'enjoy now pay later' tendency

Suggestions: time in nature to stay grounded, focus on self-care and balance, stay connected with others

Four Energy: stability, healing, wholeness, being grounded, fulfillment and security in work, service to others, productivity

Possible Challenges: healing and work can make it seem like there is no play

Suggestions: take time to have fun, focus on balance

Five Energy: change, freedom, adventure, excitement, manifesting desires, communication, travel, romance

Possible challenges: things get magnified – the good and the bad, life can seem like a whirlwind, you might feel hemmed in

Suggestions: take time to make important decisions, be intentional about your goals, make use of this powerful energy to manifest what you want

Six Energy: self-harmony, balance, social responsibility, family, creativity

Possible challenges: giving too much, becoming reclusive

Suggestions: seek balance between giving to others and self-care, get out into the world

Seven Energy: solitude, inner wisdom, contemplation, sanctuary, dreams, visions

Possible Challenges: difficult space to share with others, spiritual rather than material focus, "no one understands me"

Suggestions: use your creativity to find like minded people – they are out there

Eight Energy: wholeness, abundance in all areas, empowerment, leadership, public recognition, inner peace

Possible Challenges: mo.ney issues, being self-centered

Suggestions: express gratitude, use this energy to learn abundance lessons, consider the welfare of others

Nine Energy: completions, humanitarianism, wisdom, generosity, compassion, good fortune

Possible Challenges: in seeing the big picture you might miss seeing an aspect of yourself that needs energy

Suggestions: live your truth and be an example to others, use this energy to experience life mastery

What is the energy of your home?

Where is your challenge?

How can you use this energy to support yourself? Knowing the meaning of your house number, how can you use the gift of this energy to set a powerful intention for yourself?

©2007 Vicky White, All Rights Reserved.
Vicky White is the go-to-gal when it comes to Feng Shui and the Law of Attraction. With her expertise and gentle nature, she helps people feel empowered and clear about what they're doing in their lives - even during difficult transition periods. Get her free report, "The 5 Biggest Attraction Mistakes: and How You Can Avoid them" and see what manifests in your life! http://www.lifedesignstrategies.com/