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The 20 Top Problems Of Highly Intelligent People

October 18, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Very smart people are very good at the things they are focused on. This is usually work-related, as their social life can slightly stunt them due to their high intelligence. On the one hand, the media highly touts intelligent people for their accomplishments. But at the same time, they sometimes receive ridicule for their perceived social awkwardness. They see the world in a fundamentally different way than everyone else. Things that are obvious to them might be an alien mystery to the rest of the planet. Their very intellect, which sets them apart, prevents them from really integrating into the rest of society.

Surprising Problems That Highly Intelligent People Often Encounter

Despite their intellect, there are five common problems that highly intelligent people often face daily:

1. The Opposite Sex

Because of their smarts and focus on school and learning their specialty, they tended to be neglected or were often forced out of social interactions with opposite-sex peers. Because of a lack of practice in the social arena, they find the opposite sex intimidating and sometimes confusing. They haven’t been given enough training in interacting with the opposite sex, so people see them as socially awkward. This tends to become a negative feedback loop as more and more less-than-optimal interactions push them further into solitude. Compound this with the desire to find someone as smart as they are so they can at least connect on a mental level, and they set themselves up for disappointment.

2. Pressure to Succeed

Not only do their parents, teachers, and peers push them to compete and succeed in a very demanding field, but they expect it of themselves. They tie their career and monetary or academic success with their self-worth. They might pass up enriching and entertaining social activities to study a little bit more or work on a project for school. If they fail to achieve their very lofty and demanding goals, they might fall into depression and anger. This intense pressure to succeed might also drive them to use drugs to enhance their mental performance or boost their physical endurance to do better on tests or get a project done ahead of schedule.

3. Analysis Paralysis

Because they are so bright, they will try to look at the pros and cons of any decision. A decision as simple as what to eat for dinner or whether or not to call someone back for a second date can lead to a metal lock as they try to decide what to do. They get caught up in the cost-benefit analysis and end up overanalyzing everything. Things that we take for granted or make a quick decision for, they find difficult. The time spent analyzing creates a mental paralysis where they see making a decision as overly tricky.

4. An Alien Among Us

Highly intelligent people find it difficult to relate to others. Other people may find intelligent person pretentious when they are just stating the facts as to how they see them. They find it challenging to teach someone else something that may come naturally to them in a way the other person can understand. Something that might seem simple to them, even pedestrian, could sound incredibly complex to the average person. Concepts that are fun and challenging might seem like an alien language to us. And just like an alien, they might find communicating and relating to the rest of us a complicated undertaking.

5. Ignorance is Bliss

A very intelligent person can see connections and patterns in the world and history that might elude the rest of us. They can see century-long cycles grinding to their inevitable conclusion while the rest of us are glued to who will win the sports-ball championships this year. Because they can see those underlying forces at work and can more or less predict the outcome, they find it hard to find happiness like the rest of us. Imagine that you could see the future and something terrible was going to happen, but no one would understand you if they did listen.

6. There’s a Substance Abuse Likelihood

People often stigmatize alcohol and drug addiction and the folks who face these issues. However, it’s much more prevalent in those with higher IQs as they usually have difficulty fitting in with society. These individuals are often “novelty junkies,” where they have a conflicting reality and fight inner demons. Individuals with high intelligence are more likely to face alcohol and methamphetamine addiction, among other things.

7. Lies a lot

Did you know that there’s a direct link between executive functioning and lying? Some of these folks require a complex deception, and since their minds can keep their lies neatly categorized, they have no problem telling and keeping track of all their tricks. One of the main reasons they lie so much is that they often feel like fish out of water.

They will say and do just about anything to fit in. While they know they’re different, part of them still longs just to be accepted and loved by others.

8. Talking About Yourself

Those with a higher IQ than others tend to dominate conversations by talking about themselves. They love to use yes/no or multiple-choice questions to engage people in their latest adventures. This person often has a high sense of self-worth because of their abilities, but they usually just cannot relate to others. The only thing they know about for sure is their life, so it tends to dominate their conversations.

9. Book Smart but Lacking Street Smarts

Having book smarts but not street smarts is a massive problem among the intelligent. They know all about quantum physics, but they often miss social cues from those around them. They can quote facts and statistics about things that you couldn’t even imagine, yet they will miss the punchline of a simple joke that a kindergartener can catch.

10. Workaholism

Did you know that knowledgeable people are more apt to be workaholics? Take, for instance, the citizens of Japan. They’re a country where the citizens have the third-highest IQ in the world. They have the highest number of hours worked at 1714, averaged annually per person.

According to Business Insider, only 33 percent of people in this country take any vacation days. Having a good work-life balance is often an issue for the highly intelligent, and it can cause burnout and relationship issues. One thing a smart person knows how to do well is work, so they often bury themselves in their jobs.

11. Are Easier to Scam

One would think that all those smarts would protect them from scams, but it’s just the opposite. Those with a higher IQ are more likely to be cheated, particularly with financial investments. Some think it’s the combination of greed and ego that get in the way, but they’re easy targets for Investment ploys.

12. Premature Aging

There are four fundamental reasons why an intelligent person ages faster than a traditional individual, they are:

Little to no stress management
Late nights and little sleep leads to circadian rhythm mismanagement
Mycotoxins from a poor diet
Alcohol and substance abuse

The poor diet and late nights catch up with a person. Additionally, being under constant stress is another killer. The stress levels of those with high IQs are noteworthy, directly impacting their aging process.

13. Likely to be an Atheist

The highly intelligent person deals with things that are concrete and scientifically based. This makes any religion seem far-fetched to them. This person will likely deny any spiritualism in their life, and they believe that it’s evolutionary psychology that encourages folks to believe in God.

Sadly, many families and people at work have deep religious beliefs, which makes it another area that is hard for a higher IQ person to fit in.

14. Doesn’t Find Happiness Easily

Some say that intelligent people have a curse of being themselves. Part of the problem is that they overthink, and all this overthinking causes them to be quite unhappy. They’re often jealous of those around them who seem bright enough and have a good life, but all this excessive knowledge does not burden them.

There are many instances where they pretend to lack knowledge, and they do so that they come across to others as everyday people. However, it won’t be long before their intelligence comes shining through, as their thought processes are just a bit superior.

15. Technology Addiction

An intelligent person is likely to turn to technology to fill their days and nights. They might be video game buffs, IT experts, and all-around techno people. As a child, they would take apart computers, DVD players, and other electronic devices because they wanted to see how they all worked.

While their parents might have seen these behaviors as destructive, it was more about their desire to learn and satisfy their craving for knowledge.

16. People Take Credit for Your Ideas

You can have the best idea in the world, but it’s meaningless if you can’t implement this concept. The intelligent may find that their thoughts are stolen by those who know how to implement them and make them profitable. They may be a little too free with their views to fit in, which could get high-dollar concepts they failed to work stollen by others.

17. Being a Night Owl

Some people function better at night than they do during the day, which is true of intelligent individuals. Part of this could be because they often don’t fit in with the crowd and tend to be loaners, so they choose to flourish when most of the world is in bed.

Those with high IQs often have a hard time shutting down their brain, so they will toss and turn until they exhaust themselves and collapse in fatigue.

18. Perfectionist

Being average is not an option for the intelligent person, and they demand this high level of achievement of themselves. They are the kind of person that starts writing a paper and deletes it ten times before they can make it right. They don’t mind going back to the beginning and starting over time and time again until they do something right.

19. Likely to Be a Psychopath

Here’s one fact that’s kind of hard to swallow. Did you know there’s a correlation between high IQs and psychopathy? According to a study published by Guilford Press, psychopaths often show superior intelligence.

After analyzing 370 men, they concluded that those with a higher IQ tend to be more apt to have psychopathic tendencies. These people often can’t empathize with others, and they don’t have the emotional intelligence to comprehend the pain others feel.

20. Going too Deep with People

The intelligent person is a loaner for a good reason, as many people don’t understand the depths of their minds. It often creates “intellectual loneliness” as they can’t seem to find a crowd they fit into, as many people don’t know how to handle them. It’s as if they’re off in their little world, and it’s hard for the ordinary person to understand them truly.

Final Thoughts on the Unlikely Problems Intelligent People Have

Happiness comes from accepting that the universe is the way it is, and there is nothing we can do about it, but a very intelligent person can’t help but try and affect the outcome. This knowledge and ability to see the results of very complex and long-term conditions when everyone else can’t sometimes leads to intense frustration. As a result, brilliant people might lack patience for those who cannot think or connect on the same level.

7 Excuses A Cheater Will Try to Give You

October 18, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Cheating during a relationship is, unfortunately, a common occurrence in modern society. But how often does someone encounter a cheater?

According to a study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, it is estimated that anywhere between 30-60 percent of individuals cheat on someone else. Sadly, many relationship experts believe this percentage to be on the conservative side.

“It is better to lock up your heart with a merciless padlock, than to fall in love with someone who doesn’t know what they mean to you.” – Michael Bassey Johnson.

Cheating in a committed relationship is an act of cowardice, one committed when a person lacks the resolve to take more appropriate actions. Instead of seeking out relationship counseling, engaging in dialogue with their partner, or ending the relationship like an adult, the cheater gives themselves to someone else whilst forgetting the hurt – known or unknown – that their infidelity inflicts.

Perhaps worse than the actual act of cheating is the deceptiveness that encompasses the act. Cheaters will often invoke many of the same excuses – even to themselves – to hide and justify their behavior. The underlying motive remains the same: an unwillingness or fear of navigating the relationship responsibility.

Leading us to the topic of this article: 7 Common Excuses of cheaters.

Let’s get to it!

Seven Lame Excuses a Cheater Gives You

Here is some of the language to watch out for:

1. “I’m unhappy…why should I stay unhappy?”

It is normal for some romance to dissipate the longer a relationship endures. Sex, intimacy and spontaneity are more likely to be lacking in both quality and quantity. Not surprisingly, all three are frequently-cited reasons why someone is unhappy with their significant other.

At its core, this excuse is a defense mechanism. The common rationale for the “unhappy” excuse is to dampen any underlying sense of responsibility or guilt. This self-serving emotional manipulation increases the likelihood that one will engage in an inappropriate relationship.

2. “I’m just bored.”

Similar to feelings of romance, it is natural for novelty to wane during a relationship. Citing boredom as an excuse is simply a manifestation of “out with the old, in with the new.” Using this excuse to cheat on someone is both shallow and disturbing; nothing more than textbook narcissism applied in the context of a relationship.

Boredom is a fair excuse for personal disengagement in the initial stages of dating when two people are attempting to “feel each other out.” After all, sometimes the ever-enigmatic sense of chemistry just isn’t there. In pretty much every other scenario, however, it’s a poor excuse at best.

3.“You’re not the person I met.”

Serious alterations to personality aside, this likely isn’t an excuse rooted in merit. Even then, it should be obvious that more effective means exist to end a relationship. Cheating really accomplishes nothing in this regard; instead, it simply serves as a welcome distraction.

Many times, people cite this excuse if someone’s physical appearance changes. Weight gain, lack of grooming, and a perceived lack of self-care are often motivating factors for one to cheat.

4. “We’re always fighting…”

When the complex dynamics that make up a relationship (e.g. sex, finances) are out of balance, frustrations mount and arguments almost always ensue. Of course, the elevated anger that often accompanies arguing has a unique way of suppressing our logic. We’re far less likely to heed the wise axiom “Don’t say now what you’ll regret later.”

Fighting of any sort is an emotionally-draining event. After a certain period of time, incessant arguing can skew one’s perception of someone else…even people they love. Too often, men or women use this is an excuse to cheat.

5. “I can always come back to her/him.”

One way to separate guilt from cheating is to justify it by citing the “benefits” of such; by rationalizing a potential return to the other person. All will be well and good, right? Not really, no. Many people that contemplate this unlikely scenario are guilt-ridden even before committing the act of cheating. You probably see where this is going…

Ironically, some people rationalize the act as a way to come back a better version of themselves; all while engaging in one of the most selfish actions possible.

6. “I’m just ‘designed’ to cheat.”

We’re not here to extrapolate on any genetic predisposition to monogamy or polyamory. Many credible, research-intensive studies have been done on the topic, and one can draw their own conclusions.

However, the notion that any existing genetic influence negates relationship choice – hence, responsibility – is devoid of substance.

Most of us will agree that some individuals are better suited for long-term relationships than others. Most of us will also concede that entering into a relationship for which one is not ‘designed’ is a conscious choice. Nonetheless, many cheaters have faulted their biological makeup as a reason to cheat. It is not.

7. “I don’t know why I cheat.”

The psychology of infidelity is a foreign topic for most of us. Suffice to say that myriad conscious and subconscious factors are likely at play when someone decides to cheat on their partner.

However, abdicating responsibility for cheating is no different, say, then abdicating responsibility for overeating. While genetic factors almost certainly have a direct influence on each potential behavior, it is within the control of each person make a deliberate choice to engage or not.

One may not know why they have a predilection for cheating, but they should know the reason for such…a conscious choice was made.

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

Why Most Men Don’t “Hear” Women

October 18, 2016 by Chris Butler

“The word LISTEN contains the same letters as the word SILENT.” – Alfred Brendel. Was he talking about men?

We don’t need to regurgitate scientific studies to demonstrate that most men are poor listeners… ask the nearest woman to you.

On the other hand, some men consider themselves to be excellent listeners. Research can suggest it depends on their personality or cognitive recognition.

Many men are subpar listeners in relationships. Science has confirmed it multiple times.

So, why is this exactly? While we discuss why most (not all!) men are poor listeners from a relationship and gender angle, some of the reasons discussed transcend that relationship.

In so doing, perhaps we may be able to help two groups of people: (1) the potentially-troubled male listener and (2) women in a relationship with #1!

Let’s get after it.

Here are ten reasons why most men don’t “hear” women:

1. Expecting mutual agreement

See, women are often right…but not always. Sometimes in a committed relationship, it is common for a woman to “expect” a sort-of mutual understanding of various things.

This is a touchy topic since, in the beginning, the man seemed to agree with the majority of what the woman was saying. Once a relationship develops, however, a man has less “incentive” to concede and feels more comfortable speaking his mind.

It’s healthy for two people not to share the same opinion on matters—no need to argue. Just accept the other’s point of view.

2. Not “getting to the point”

Women are fond of iterating details that seem, to them, a way of heightening intimacy. Genuinely, this perspective carries merit. Facts in and of themselves are intimate. However, men are not particularly adept at staying “tuned in.” Men are more comfortable with the point of a dialogue than the finer details.

Perhaps the best way to go about this is to pose a question first and THEN fill in the finer details. This allows the man to “connect the dots” and should give ample enough time to form an opinion.

3. Trying too hard to impress

A man is already impressed with you, as he is already WITH you. As such, it is not necessary to continually “prove your worth” by rehashing things that seem impressive. By natural design, men feel obligated to provide for themselves and their loved ones.

Part of this means accepting that men are more comfortable with achievement and status amongst peers rather than with their partners.

4. He’s busy doing something

Not all men are excellent multitaskers. If a man happens to be preoccupied with something, it is best to be patient and allow him to complete the task first. It doesn’t matter if it’s a football game, a nap, or something else.

Be patient and make sure your man is ready to listen.

5. Insistence on venting

Venting is something that men can be tremendously uncomfortable with. The reason is that, while we want to support you, we’re a bit taken aback by the slew of information that is being directed towards us. Again, men are not as comfortable with engaging in emotional dialogue as women are.

Chalk another one up to evolutionary design.

6. Expecting mutual interest

This one is somewhat similar to the problems with assuming mutual agreement. Many (many) couples already have a solid understanding of what makes the other person “tick.” However, when a novel situation arises, it may be tempting to revert to that honeymoon phase where we both anticipate a consensus on just about anything.

7. He’s confused

Men are very linear thinkers, in general. Women have a talent for constructing abstract thoughts and subsequently verbalizing them. When men are caught up with a whirlwind of competing thought processes, they are easily confused; finding it difficult to sustain attention and deliver appropriate feedback.

Give some time and space, let him compose his bearings, and then explain what’s going on.

8. Real or perceived “nagging.”

Here’s another touchy topic. What women perceive as appropriate dialogue, a man can construe as pointless. Because men are not as good of listeners, we’re more apt to label such a one-way conversation as “nagging.”

Many reasons can be attributed to this perception, mainly that men are sometimes unequipped to engage in conversation beyond the typical. Regardless, it benefits both persons to “check-in” to ensure mutual understanding. It helps to cut off any potential distractions as well.

9. Expecting “friend-like” communication

For the most part, two people in a relationship communicate very differently than with other people. Women seek to be understood more than men do, in general. As such, female conversations with female friends and associates are bound to be more laden with empathetic emotion and mutual understanding.

However, carrying this anticipatory expectation into a dialogue with a man rarely results in something constructive. As mentioned, men view the overall point of communication differently than most women.

10. And then there’s texting

Not much elaboration is needed here. Texting about anything other than trivial matters is not a good form of communication between two people involved in a relationship.

Hopefully, with the differences cited here, we can all understand why.

Communication is one of life’s most essential skills. It involves speaking, writing, and listening. Part of being a good communicator is being a good listener. Listening is more than just being able to hear. Hearing and listening are as different as night and day. Listening requires you to use your mind and emotions. Hearing, on the other hand, requires your ears. If you want to become a better communicator, you must first learn how to be a good listener.

What Is Listening?

Listening is defined as paying attention to someone to hear what is being said. To hear what someone has said and understand it is serious, important, or true.

Listening is hard work. It requires concentration and focuses on the person speaking to you. It’s easy to fall into poor listening habits, especially when in a comfortable relationship. The highest level of listening is called active listening. Active listening is the most effective way to communicate. An active listener can listen to what a speaker says and discern how they feel.

What are some qualities of a good listener?

Good listening isn’t just being quiet-A good listener leans in and listen with their body. They make eye contact. They are curious to get more insight. A good listener may say things like “Ok” or “I see” to communicate their interest.

They ask good questions-When you’re finished talking. Good listeners ask you questions to clarify or to be sure they understand what you said.
They stay positive-A partner who is a good listener makes you feel supported and loved. You feel safe telling them difficult things because you know they listen to you.
A good listener gives feedback- Sometimes, you want your partner to listen to you. Other times, you want their thoughts. It would be best to communicate what you wanted before you talked to them. You could say something like, “Hey, I want to share something with you, but I’m not looking for a solution. I need to talk it out.” Of course, it won’t be helpful if they sound critical when they give advice.

I heard what you said, but I didn’t listen to you.

When you’re in a relationship, your partner may hear what you say, but they don’t listen. Why is that?

For one thing, communication isn’t straightforward. It can be time-consuming and frustrating. Here are some other reasons communication breaks down.

Your partner didn’t understand what you meant or what you told them got mixed up in their mind.
You forgot some crucial details or background information. Your partner may have been ready to listen, but somehow the data wasn’t all there.
They got distracted by their thoughts or the world around them.
What you thought you said meant something different to your partner, mainly if you used words that weren’t familiar to them.

Figure out the barriers to helping men hear

Figure out what hinders your partner’s listening. Once you understand the barriers, your communication will improve. When you’re in a conversation, take note of these things.

Does your partner seem distracted? Ask them if there is a way to help them get rid of the distractions.
Should you repeat something you said? It can be irritating to repeat yourself, but repetition helps avoid mistakes.
Keep the message simple and to the point. Avoid tangents and extra information that aren’t pertinent to the conversation.
Be sure to include background information and essential details.

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

10 Quotes From Roald Dahl That Make You More Positive

October 18, 2016 by Power of Positivity

You may recognize Roald Dahl as the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Gremlins, as well as other short stories and children’s books. He certainly left us with great tales from his imagination, but he also taught us important lessons about life through his works.

Roald would’ve been 100 on September 13 of this year, so in memory of him, we will leave you with some of his best quotes that promote positivity and looking at the glass half-full.

10 Quotes from Roald Dahl That Will Make You More Positive

1. “And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”

2. “A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”

3. “I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life. He taught me that if you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it at full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good. Hot is no good either. White hot and passionate is the only thing to be.”

4. “Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world.”

5. “There is no life I know to compare with pure imagination. Living there, you’ll be free if you truly wish to be.”

6. “Most of the really exciting things we do in our lives scare us to death. They wouldn’t be exciting if they didn’t.”

7. “Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog. Make sure everything you do is so completely crazy it’s unbelievable…”

8. “Some people when they have taken too much and have been driven beyond the point of endurance, simply crumble and give up. There are others, though they are not many, who will for some reason always be unconquerable. You meet them in time of war and also in time of peace. They have an indomitable spirit and nothing, neither pain nor torture nor threat of death, will cause them to give up.”

9. “The life of a writer is absolute hell compared with the life of a businessman. The writer has to force himself to work. He has to make his own hours and if he doesn’t go to his desk at all there is nobody to scold him. If he is a writer of fiction he lives in a world of fear. Each new day demands new ideas and he can never be sure whether he is going to come up with them or not. Two hours of writing fiction leaves this particular writer absolutely drained. For those two hours he has been miles away, he has been somewhere else, in a different place with totally different people, and the effort of swimming back into normal surroundings is very great. It is almost a shock. The writer walks out of his workroom in a daze… a person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom. He has no master except his own soul, and that, I am sure, is why he does it.”

10. “There are a whole lot of things in this world of ours you haven’t even started wondering about yet.”

We hope you enjoyed reading these quotes as much as we did! We can sum them up in just a few words for you: don’t ever stop exploring this world, don’t be afraid of your imagination, and keep on believing in miracles.

10 Behaviors That Create Unsuccessful People

October 17, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Unsuccessful people are usually their own worst enemies without even realizing it. Everyone has a streak of tough luck now and again or bad timing, but unsuccessful people usually exhibit character traits that limit them and what they are able to accomplish. Without realizing it, they sabotage their own success, and sometimes, the success of others with a win-at-all-costs mentality. Successful people tend to be bold individuals who take risks and own their mistakes in order to become better and more skilled.

Unsuccessful people, on the other hand, tend to exhibit these ten behaviors:

1. They Don’t Finish What They Start

They leave projects unfinished. They are great at starting things, but lack the discipline and grit to finish something when things get tough.

2. Unsuccessful People Make Excuses

When they fail, they either blame others or make excuses for why they failed. Rather than analyzing the cause of their failure and coming to terms with their own shortcomings, they push the responsibility off on someone else.

3. They Can’t Handle Criticism

Because they cannot see their own shortcomings, they do not like it when other people point it out to them. They get very upset if you suggest that their failure is actually their fault. They develop a victim mentality.

4. They Are Negative

They fail to see the positive effects of anything people do and focus solely on the negative. They also tend to surround themselves with other negative people who reinforce each other’s victimhood and persecution complex.

5. Unsuccessful People Sabotage Others

When they can’t get ahead on their own merits, they will seek to drag others down instead in order to raise themselves up. They will undermine coworkers or friends in order to seem more successful or knowledgeable than they really are.

6. They Suppress Their Individual Personality

Successful people tend to be outspoken personalities who embrace their individuality and unique ideas. Unsuccessful people try to blend in and not rock the boat. This stems from a fear of failure and criticism. They embrace the idea that the nail that stands out gets hammered down.

7. They Need Approval

They have an unhealthy need for the approval of others. Most people like approval and validation, but unsuccessful people bind their own self-worth to the approval of others. If they don’t get that approval, they tend to give up or back off rather than push through towards success.

8. Unsuccessful People React Rather Than Act

Rather than take the initiative to fix something before it breaks, they wait until there is a crisis to act. They are passive rather than proactive.

9. They Take Shortcuts

The road to success is long and tough. It requires dedication to a single plan and the determination to see that plan through to the end, even through the really hard times when things seem on the verge of failure. Unsuccessful people will take short cuts in order to avoid that long, hard road. They are both impatient and lazy. They want success now, not in ten years. They are not willing to put the hard work in and make the sacrifices necessary in order to achieve their dream. So, they cut corners and do the minimum amount of work and hope no one notices or calls them out.

10. They Are Afraid

Much of these behaviors stem from fear. Fear of being criticized. Fear of failing publicly. Fear of their own shortcomings. Fear of responsibility. Fear of increased expectations. They are afraid to stand out because they may be held accountable. They may fear the increased responsibilities and expectations that real success brings with it. It is one thing to fail in obscurity, but it is much more frightening to fail when in the spotlight. Most people will not seek positions of power or public fame for fear of the scrutiny they fall under.

If they screw up in powerful or public positions, then the eyes of the world will be on them and most people cannot handle that kind of intense public scrutiny for very long. It takes a lot of courage or intense narcissism to want that kind of position where the public will take notice when you screw up. In a world of social media and the 24-hour news cycle, being successful often means having your failures paraded through public and being ridiculed by people who don’t even know you.

4 Reasons Your Partner Doesn’t Want to Spend Time Together

October 17, 2016 by Power of Positivity

You have been at work all day dealing with coworkers, customers and your boss. You get home to take care of the kids, cook dinner, relax with the family and maybe watch a show. Finally, you bundle the little ones off to bed and have some quiet time for you and your spouse. You want to spend time together, but they just aren’t feeling it. It isn’t that they don’t love you or find you attractive; they just don’t feel like being together at the moment. We have all been there. Maybe that burrito for lunch is biting them in the rear. Maybe something is on their mind. Or, maybe they just want to face plant into the pillow and embrace oblivion until the alarm goes off in the morning. There are a ton of reasons why your partner doesn’t want to spend time together

Here are 4 reasons they aren’t feeling like spending time together tonight:

1. They Are Exhausted

The sugar and caffeine rush from this morning is long since spent. Their belly is full from dinner and their feet are throbbing from running around all day helping customers or moving merchandise. They are burnt, spent, pooped, worn out, wiped and exhausted. Put a fork in them – they are done. All they can think about is shuffling, like the living dead, off to bed and curling up under a warm blanket. They are gonna be out like a light five seconds after their head hits the pillow. It isn’t about you; they just have nothing left in the gas tank.

2. They Are Stressed

Work can be hyper-competitive and stressful. From demanding bosses to unruly clients, work is gonna be the death of us. It takes a lot of energy not to go off on someone who desperately needs it because they are a customer and the customer is always right, even when they are wrong. The bills are due and money is tight. The kids have been sick and your partner has been up all night giving them medicine and putting them back to bed. They are stressed out and ready to snap. You may have had a wonderful night’s sleep and a nice easy breezy day at the office, but they are just nowhere near feeling amorous. Cut them some slack. Rub their feet and take care of the evening chores for them. Let them relax and decompress.

3. They Are Busy

Life is busy and most of us try to juggle work, family time, kid’s activities and getting some extra education to make us competitive in the marketplace. After working all day, then running errands and dropping off/picking up the kids from activities, you might be in the mood, but your partner still has to research and write a paper for the master’s they are working on. The only free time you get is after everyone else is taken care of for the night. Those couple of precious hours after the kids go to sleep might seem like a good time to get your freak on, but your partner has things that need to get done.

4. Their Mind Is Somewhere Else

Maybe one of their parents is seriously ill and just found out a few hours ago. Maybe their favorite sports team is in the playoffs and they really don’t want to miss the game. Perhaps they have an important presentation at work tomorrow and they feel underprepared. There are a million reasons why their mind would be somewhere else but there with you. They have things they value as important on their minds right now and just aren’t in the right head space to be together right this instant. It doesn’t say anything about you and it is not a rejection. It usually has to do with them and what they are dealing with in that moment.

Everyone handles stress, tiredness and a hectic schedule differently. Be kind and understanding. Try to take some of their load and give them a break. They are still with you and still home every night to tuck in the kids. They still love you, but they are just having a rough time. So, relax and don’t take it personally.

5 Signs That Reveal Someone Has Low Confidence

October 17, 2016 by Power of Positivity

There are many reasons people develop low confidence or low self-esteem in their lives. They could have been bullied as a kid or moved around a lot when they were young, making them the new kid. They could have been abused or neglected by their parents. The list goes on. For whatever reason, someone fails to develop belief in themselves and feels that they’re not good enough or smart enough. Someone might have said they are ugly, stupid, or uncool so long that they have started to believe it themselves. They may not show it all the time, but there are indicators that someone has a low confidence level.

Here are five signs that reveal someone has a low confidence level:

1. Unable To Accept A Compliment

A person with a healthy confidence level will accept a compliment and reply with a simple thank you. But, someone who does not believe in themselves will make excuses for why it isn’t true. They will unconsciously reject the optimistic view of another person in favor of the false notion that they are not worthy of such a compliment. They may even become flustered by the uncommon attention and become visibly uncomfortable. If you want to raise someone’s confidence level, keep complimenting them regularly. Please don’t argue with them when they reject it, but keep building them regularly.

2. Someone With Low Confidence Will Avoid Eye Contact

People who are not confident in themselves and their abilities find it challenging to meet someone else’s gaze. They say the eyes are the soul’s windows, and a person with low confidence is afraid you will see right through them and notice their perceived flaws just like they have. If someone has a hard time looking at you when you are talking to them, they may have such a low confidence level that looking someone in the eye makes them intensely uncomfortable.

3. Apologizing For No Real Reason

People with low confidence will also apologize when they have done nothing wrong. They apologize for other people’s behavior. They apologize that they did not arrive earlier even though they were already early. They’ll hand in a project and apologize for its quality before you have even had a chance to look at it. Often, they are staving off the perceived future criticism they know is coming with a preemptive apology. They are trying to prevent future criticism by criticizing themselves first before you have a chance to do it.

4. Indecisive

Someone who lacks self-confidence will be unable to make a decision. Simple decisions like where to eat will be difficult because they are riddled with self-doubt. What if they choose wrong? They know that if they make the wrong decision, others may criticize them. Thus, they avoid that unvoiced criticism by not making a decision to begin with or passing the responsibility to someone else. They do not believe they can make the right choice and lack faith in their abilities to weigh the pros and cons objectively. It is much easier just to let other people choose so that they can take the heat if it turns out to be the wrong choice.

5. Self-Deprecating Humor Reveals Low Confidence

People who have been bullied or picked on in the past learn to either stand up for themselves or learn to beat the bully to the punch, as it were. They will make a joke about themselves before someone else has the opportunity. Snide comments at your expense by someone else will hurt you. But if you make it before they can, it doesn’t hurt as much. It is like a vaccination protecting you from the cruel jokes of others. People will use humor and comedy as a shield to protect themselves from the brutal jokes of others. It is also a symptom of their lack of self-worth. They have heard that they are worthless, ugly, or stupid for so long that they begin doing it to themselves.

6. You Worry What People Think

If someone always worries about what other people think, it’s a sure sign of low confidence. Confident people don’t care what others think because they love who they are.

You aren’t living to make other people happy, so try to stop caring so much. If you can let go of other people’s opinions, you’ll notice an improvement in your self-confidence. Learn to see yourself as happy and capable of success, letting go of any belief except yours.

7. You Blame Other People and Make Excuses

Blaming others or making excuses indicates low confidence. It removes responsibility as it places it on someone else. While many self-conscious people think it’s good to deflect, it is detrimental.

Blaming others and making excuses only causes a person to enter victim mode. Once in victim mode, it indicates a lack of control over life circumstances, showing a lack of confidence.

Making excuses occurs because the self-conscious person doesn’t want to appear inferior or weak. They think that not making mistakes will show how good they are. Confident people own up to their mistakes, allowing them to learn from the situation. They know that mistakes don’t define who they are or what they’re capable of.

8. You Take Constructive Criticism Too Personally

Constructive criticism allows you to grow and learn, becoming a better version of yourself. If you take constructive criticism personally, it shows a lack of confidence. You might cry in the bathroom at work after your supervisor corrects you or get an attitude or become defensive.

If you struggle with constructive criticism, it’s time to rethink how you approach the situation. Try waiting three seconds before responding next time, reminding yourself that constructive criticism can help you learn.

9. You Back Down During Disagreements to Keep the Peace

If you lack confidence, you likely back down during conversations that might lead to conflict. Rather than express your true feelings or negotiate, you give in to what the other person wants. If professional settings, you might have a hard time speaking up to share a different viewpoint.

Even if you don’t like someone, you won’t confront them or address the issues. You’d rather keep the peace and pretend to like them. Sometimes this struggle stems from the fear of rejection or having a hard time making friends.

10. Always Seeking Approval

If you always need someone else’s approval, it’s a sure sign of low confidence. When you always need to feel validated, it shows a lack of self-esteem and being unsure of yourself. Additionally, you might experience frustration and feel depleted when you don’t get approval.

Low confidence leads to an inability to accept that not everyone will agree with what you do. Everyone has different opinions and lifestyles, and someone who lacks confidence will struggle with it.

11. Avoiding Social Situations

Being socially withdrawn is often a sign that someone has low confidence. They’ll look for reasons to avoid social situations and frequently cancel plans. They try to avoid making plans altogether and only go out when necessary.

If this situation sounds familiar, you’ll want to stay home over anything else. Interacting with others sounds like a dreadful experience. These feelings usually stem from not wanting to embarrass yourself.

12. You Always Feel Like You Should Explain Yourself

If you always feel like you need to explain yourself, it’s a sign that you have low self-esteem. You don’t have to explain your actions regularly. There will be instances when you have to, but don’t feel the need every time you do something.

13. You Are a Pessimist

People with low confidence tend to be critical of everything. They have a negative mindset and never think things will work out.

Pessimists take their feelings out on those close to them, and they struggle to be positive even with a good reason. When their lack of confidence leads to pessimism, they likely feel like they have no control.

14. You Avoid Taking on Challenges and Expect Little Out of Life

If you lack confidence, you might think that you’ll fail at anything new you try. Because of that negative thinking, you don’t put yourself out there or take on challenges. You will likely justify it by saying it’s not worth the effort since you’ll fail anyway.

Your negative thoughts convince you that you’ll fail, even when you have a chance at success. The lack of confidence makes failure a daunting idea that you feel it’s not worth the risk.

Because you won’t take on challenges, you learn to expect little out of life. You’ll settle and accept the way things are now because it’s what you’ve always known. However, this mindset leads to you believing life is unfair because other people are further along.

15. You Can’t Find Joy in Your Successes

If you can’t find joy in your success, it’s a sign of low self-esteem. You might push yourself to be an overachiever but refuse to celebrate your success. people with low confidence won’t acknowledge their hard work.

When you achieve success, you might view yourself as lucky rather than hardworking or wise. You’ll struggle to admit that you accomplished something others can’t do.

16. Experiencing Emotional Turmoil and Anxiety

Frequent anxiety and emotional turmoil indicate a lack of confidence in the future. If you aren’t sure of the outcome, you’ll feel anxious and overwhelmed. Rather than being hopeful and excited for the future, you’ll dread it.

17. You Don’t Contribute to Conversation

If you never speak up during the conversation, it shows insecurity. When you do say something, you’ll second-guess everything. You prefer to think about a conversation before speaking, but it’s not always possible.

Additionally, you’ll often notice that other people have lots to say without struggling. Their effortless communication only worsens your lack of confidence because you assume you can’t keep up.

In social situations, you may stay silent and engage in negative self-talk. Even when you plan what you want to say, you might lose your courage and forgo the conversation.

18. Defensive Body Language

Displaying defensive body language indicates a lack of self-esteem. Things like crossing your arms and having stern facial expressions show low confidence.

This kind of body language shuts other people out, making them want to avoid interaction. It shows that you are uncomfortable around others, and it’s not a good look. Another defensive body language is slouching. A low body stance, or slouch, means that you don’t stand tall. Instead, you let your body slump downward, showing that you lack confidence.

19. Neglecting Yourself

If you don’t take care of yourself, it’s a sign of low self-confidence. You might sacrifice your mental and physical health because you feel like you aren’t worth the effort. If you ever wonder what the point of self-care is, it’s time to refocus and start taking better care of yourself.

20. You Constantly Check Your Phone in Social Situations

Relying on your phone in social situations shows that you are unsure of yourself. You might resort to your phone to appear socially connected and preoccupied. The phone prevents you from engaging with others, protecting you from feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable.

21. You Experience Fear When Thinking of the Future

People with low self-esteem worry about the future so much that they experience fear. The fear becomes so intense that you can’t enjoy the present.

You get so nervous about bad things that might happen that you forget to live in the moment. Additionally, you might feel like you’re bound to mess something up and ruin your chances of a happy future.

22. You Don’t Like Change

If you have low confidence, you likely don’t want anything in your life to change. You want everything to stay familiar, even if it’s unsatisfying.

Not liking change could lead to staying in a bad relationship or lingering at a job that isn’t a good fit for you. It could also mean not seeking new ways to do things, even if it would make your life easier. Your lack of confidence will make it hard to make decisions for positive change.

23. You Tell Unnecessary and Pointless Lies

You might think it’s harmless to tell white lies, but it shows a lack of confidence. It shows that you don’t believe you’re interesting enough as you are. You might also tell lies because you don’t want to admit things that might make you look weak.

24. Not Implementing or Enforcing Boundaries

People with low confidence don’t implement boundaries, and they are even less likely to enforce them. They’re afraid to speak up when uncomfortable, and they don’t like to say no. People with low self-esteem also let people use them and attract negative people.

25. You Compare Yourself to Other People

If you ever compare your looks or lifestyle to others, it could indicate low self-esteem. It shows that you’re unsure of yourself and feel inferior to others. If this happens to you, try using positive affirmation for self-esteem.

Final Thoughts on Knowing the Signs of Low Confidence

These signs that reveal someone has low self-confidence can interfere with your life. It can hold you back and make you feel like you can’t reach your dreams. You might miss out on new opportunities and experiences, too. If you notice any of these signs in yourself, make an effort to change your life positively. It’ll be well worth the changes, and you’ll feel better overall.

Stanford Dean Reveals The Single Parenting Trait That Ruins Child Development

October 17, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Julia Lythcott-Haims is the former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford University. Indeed, she may be one of the most important figures in bringing forth – and potentially solving – a prolific trait of parents that may threaten their children’s psychological and emotional well-being.

While at Stanford, Lythcott-Haims was taken aback by the continuously-improving academic talent of incoming freshman classes:

“Every batch of freshman is more accomplished than the last. Somehow their median GPA is a little higher, their SAT score is a little higher, they’ve done more AP’s than ever…who are these people?”

But, Lythcott-Haims saw a problem. A serious problem.

“You know; I didn’t set out to be a parenting expert. In fact, I’m not very interested in parenting, per se. It’s just that there’s a certain style of parenting these days that is kind of messing up kids, impeding their chances to develop into themselves.” – Julie Lythcott-Haims

Academic Success at A Cost…

One particularly damaging critique of various education systems around the world is that schools place too much emphasis is placed on two things:

The rote memorization and regurgitation of material
Too much reliance on this memorization when grading.

In other words, it’s all about memorization, memorization, memorization…and grades, grades, grades.

Many critics, perhaps rightfully so, state that this antiquated academic model restricts children in terms of potential and personal development.

Lythcott-Haims agrees with that sentiment…and a whole lot more:

“…it’s not just the grades, the scores, and not just the grades and scores, but the accolades and the awards and the sports, the activities, the leadership. We tell our kids, don’t just join a club, start a club, because colleges want to see that.”

Why do parents do this? Well, the former Stanford Dean explains that as well:

“…all of this is done to some hoped for degree of perfection. We expect our kids to perform at a level of perfection that we were never asked to perform ourselves…and act like our kid’s concierge and personal handler and secretary.”

Ouch. She appeared to spear some parents in the heart with that critique. Not to mention many in academia.

Stanford Dean Reveals The Single Parenting Trait That Ruins Children

Overparenting: A ‘Checklisted’ Childhood

Lythcott-Haims refers to the abovementioned parenting behaviors as helicopter parenting. That’s when parents have a plan for the child and navigate every step of the way. They tend to “hover” around the child all the time. By engaging in helicopter parenting, Lythcott-Haims argues, many parents are subjecting their children to a type of ‘checklist’ to help ensure their academic success and life.

There are huge costs to this method of parenting, however.

First, the child may not develop their critical thinking and/or executive function skills properly. In essence, the outcome is a child that may lack the necessary cognitive tools to manage an independent life successfully. Lythcott-Haims attributes this unfortunate stunting of personal growth directly to helicopter parenting.

As Dean of freshmen at Stanford, Lythcott-Haims states that she frequently interacted with parents who wanted to discuss any imaginable variable potentially impacting their child’s grades. Roommates. Professors. Curriculum. Mind you, all of this excessive overbearing and overprotection by parents was occurring at one of the top universities in the world.

Second, the child is more vulnerable to mental and emotional disorders. Lythcott-Haims states, and research seems to confirm, that all of this undue pressure results in more depression and anxiety among college students. In a study published by the American Psychological Association (APA), nearly 40 percent of students who visited a University counseling center reported having feelings of depression; around 46 percent reported problems with anxiety.

Third, the child loses a sense of individuality and novelty. “First of all, there’s no time for free play. There’s no room in the afternoons, because everything has to be enriching…It’s as if every piece of homework, every quiz, every activity is a make-or-break moment for this future we have in mind for them…as long as they’re checking off the items on their checklist.”

In short, a child could lose a sense of self when parents push them in a direction that does not interest them.

“Non-helicopter parenting”

One thing that the former Dean makes clear. She does not promote abandoning parental guidance of academics or life skills. In her TED talk, Lythcott-Haims tells the audience:

“Now, am I saying every kid is hard-working and motivated and doesn’t need a parent’s involvement or interest in their lives, and we should just back off and let go? Hell no…What I’m saying is, when we treat grades and scores and accolades and awards as the purpose of childhood…that’s too narrow a definition of success for our kids…all of this comes at a long-term cost to their sense of self.”

So, what does she recommend exactly? Love and chores. Really.

Lythcott-Haims cites a well-respected study, the longest concerning human development ever conducted. Titled the Harvard Grant Study, researchers involved in the project determined that true success – including professional achievement –directly correlated with a child’s level of household responsibilities.

But, more importantly, the study concludes that happiness in life comes from love, not from work. It also comes from fellow human beings; our friends, family, and others.

In summation, the former Dean recommends a healthy balance of discipline and love – not to mention plenty of playtimes. She asserts that such a parent approach will yield a healthy, successful, well-adjusted, and happy person.

100 Simple Ways to Show Yourself Love

October 14, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Sometimes, showing ourselves love can be challenging, as we have so many other things on our minds that can easily drag us down. However, with the right tools and habits, you will be on your way to loving yourself in no time! Without further ado, here are some of our best ideas on how you can love yourself fully and unconditionally.

100 Simple Ways to Show Yourself Love

1. Smile more often!

2. Spend more time in the sun, but at least try for 15-20 minutes per day.

3. Connect with positive, uplifting people and distance yourself from negativity.

4. Make sure to spend time outdoors getting fresh air, and spend less time on technology.

5. Do more things you enjoy, and less things you dislike.

6. Read inspiring books, and watch inspirational TV shows/YouTube channels.

7. Exercise at least 30 minutes per day, 4 times per week.

8. Treat yourself every once in a while – you deserve it!

9. Practice positive self-talk each day; this is one of the best ways to change your mindset overall.

10. Take time to relax and unwind each day, whether that’s taking a long bath, reading your favorite book, meditating, or something else you really enjoy.

11. Laugh more! If you have to, watch funny YouTube videos or movies to make yourself laugh. Or, hang out with funny people that will help to take away worries and stress.

12. Get rid of anything in your life that no longer serves your best interest.

13. Remember to take deep breaths and tell yourself that this too shall pass.

14. Start writing your dreams and goals down, and make a list of steps to help you achieve those goals.

15. Get out of your comfort zone more often.

16. Do what’s best for you, NOT what others believe is best for you.

17. Breathe in the good, breathe out the bad.

18. Strike up a conversation with a stranger; you never know where it may lead.

19. Get a pet – pets have been proven to be therapeutic and make wonderful companions!

20. Start a gratitude journal so you can keep your mind focused on all the blessings in life instead of all the worries you might have.

21. Prioritize sleep; most adults need at least 7 hours per night for optimal functioning.

22. Believe in you, even if no one else does.

23. Always follow your heart, no matter what.

24. Make sure to drink plenty of water! Try for at least 2 liters per day to start, then up it to three when you feel ready.

25. Take a spontaneous weekend trip or road trip, just to get away and recharge for a bit.

26. Meditate each morning for at least thirty minutes so that you can start each day focused and refreshed.

27. Buy something that will truly benefit your life, such as a juicer or self-help book.

28. Eat healthy foods, and try to eliminate or reduce foods that don’t make you feel good inside and out.

29. Commit to making one small change per day, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work. Eventually, these small changes will amount to really big ones!

30. Listen to music throughout the day to boost your mood and even help you focus!

31. Learn something new that you’ve been interested in learning for a while, like sewing, cooking, or writing short stories.

32. Have more sex!

33. Eat high-vibrational foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and try replacing unhealthy snacks with healthier ones.

34. Practice positive affirmations. You can even write them on sticky notes and place them on your mirror so you see them every day while you get ready!

35. Challenge yourself more; accomplishing something new will raise your self-esteem and give you a more positive outlook!

36. Learn how to play an instrument, such as a guitar or drums.

37. Make a vision board so that you can start turning your dreams into reality!

38. Instead of putting yourself down, compliment yourself!

39. Volunteer and help others. Not only will this make someone else’s life easier; it will also give you a sense of self-worth.

40. Don’t take on too many responsibilities; learn how to say “no” if you have to.

41. Get excited about something! Even if it’s something small, this will help you keep a positive outlook on life.

42. Start getting honest with yourself. Dig deep and uncover what’s holding you back. Self-reflection is very important to happiness, as looking within will help you solve problems you may have outwardly.

43. Read our website daily and check our Facebook page for regular updates. 🙂

44. Don’t let your dreams die. Revisit them regularly, even if it’s been months, and try to work in small steps to get where you desire.

45. Don’t be too hard on yourself. If something doesn’t work out or you make a mistake, there’s always another door and another way of looking at the problem.

46. Go explore somewhere new!!

47. Always be honest with your feelings and with others. Authenticity happens when you release pent up feelings and follow your intuition.

48. Eat chocolate more often. Studies have shown that it can boost your mood and even help you focus!

49. Breathe more deeply.

50. Make sure to keep a clean living space. An environment free of clutter will help you feel more focused and less frazzled.

51. Try a massage or acupuncture for relaxation and releasing stress.

52. Volunteer at an animal shelter, especially if you don’t have a pet of your own.

53. Practice mindfulness in all areas of life. Do each activity and task slowly and mindfully, and don’t rush anything. This will help you improve your focus and reduce mental fatigue and brain fog.

54. Spend more time with your family and friends.

55. Take advice from your elders.

56. Forgive yourself and others. Holding onto grudges will only bring you down in the end.

57. Listen to motivational speakers when you need to feel love. You can find plenty of them on YouTube.

58. Relish in the little things in life. Take time to slow down and appreciate them.

59. Take a day off each week to devote to yourself. Do your favorite things on this day, and don’t allow your mind to wander to responsibilities/work/etc. Be fully present and enjoy your day off!

60. Grow your own food if you’re able to–it’s an act of love and nourishment.

61. Don’t rush life. Take time off to travel if you need to; life is more than just working and paying bills.

62. Sell things around the house that you don’t use. This eliminates clutter while adding to your funds, which is a win-win in our book!

63. Talk about your problems; stop hiding from them. The first step to recovery is accepting you have a problem; the second step is discussing them so that you can find solutions and possibly gain a new perspective.

64. Allow yourself a certain time each day to check social media, texts, and emails. Consolidating your online time into one session means more time to do other things that will really benefit you.

65. Face your greatest fears, and then share your experience with others!

66. Find a healthy outlet for your emotions in a way that works for you. Therapy, playing or listening to music, writing in a journal, exercising, or drawing are all great options.

67. Find meetups in your area that you enjoy, and go to them as often as you can!

68. Replace a bad habit with a good one. For example, you could go walking outside after work instead of immediately coming home to veg out on the couch.

69. Treat yourself to a night out during the week. Go to dinner and dancing with a friend or significant other, or go see your favorite band play!

70. Buy incense or scented candles to help you relax after a long day.

71. Give more hugs!

72. Listen more, talk less. There’s a lot of wisdom in silence.

73. Fill your Facebook feed with positivity.

74. Read positive and inspiring quotes daily.

75. Plan a vacation – even if you don’t go on it any time soon or don’t even book it, at least you’ll have a place in mind and a goal to work towards!

76. Turn off technology for a few hours each day. You’ll feel more refreshed and rejuvenated!

77. Practice positive thinking daily.

78. Increase self-confidence by doing things that make you feel good, such as working out, eating healthy, hanging out with positive people, etc.

79. Watch the words you use, as the language you choose can either increase or decrease your energy and vibration.

80. Give free hugs! (What better way to show love?)

81. Meet new people by doing activities in your community that you enjoy!

82. Make a scrapbook full of positive memories with your favorite people!

83. Give lessons to others in something that you excel at.

84. Don’t be afraid to fail. If you do, at least you can say you tried rather than not taking the risk of failure at all.

85. Leave a job you don’t like and try to find one that fits your interests and truly makes you happy.

86. Create a plan for the future. Having a plan in place will lower your stress levels and give you a sense of control over your reality.

87. Motivate yourself and keep your head up. Then, help others to do the same!

88. Be a kid for a day! Go to a public park and play on the swings, have a water gun fight, play hopskotch, etc.

89. Delegate tasks to others that you feel you can’t do on your own.

90. Complain less, rejoice more. Complaining will only lower your energy levels, whereas gratitude will increase them!

91. Make sure to spend time with yourself in complete solitude sometimes. Everyone needs a break from the chaos and noise of the world at some point.

92. Choose a job with a low amount of stress if possible.

93. Take yourself out on a date to your favorite restaurant or park!

94. Embrace the present, and try not to dwell on the past or future too often. All we truly have is now, anyway.

95. Give more love to others. The more open and vulnerable you are, the stronger your relationships will be.

96. Make your home your sanctuary. Decorate it the way you want, eliminate clutter, and try to dedicate one part of your home to meditation/yoga/etc.

97. Watch the sun rise before you begin your day. Better yet, sit outside with a mug of coffee for a good 20-30 minutes before you get ready for work.

98. Do a cleanse every once in a while to reset your body. You can do a juice cleanse, water fast, or whatever detox method works best for you.

99. Spend time bonding with your significant other, if you have one. Love given and received from others helps elevate self-love, too.

100. If you successfully spent a few hours without technology, try going camping for a weekend without phones, tablets, computers, etc for a full mental recharge!

Weekly tips, affirmations, and small actions to feel your best.

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!