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Maybe you are looking at a sea or green change, career change, further education, having a child, or something else. Regardless of what changes you have in mind it helps if you take time to consider the consequences of this change, particularly if you are in a relationship and have children – when it really is no longer just about me.

Whatever you decide to do there will be consequences and they may not be in your highest good.

For instance you decide to accept a new job in a different state away from family and friends. When you get there you find to your dismay how isolated you are, your children, if you have any, are unable to settle into their new school, your partner is unable to secure employment, and you miss the security of being near family and friends.

On the other hand you might be on top of the world what you have manifested. However for others affected by your action it can turn their world upside down maybe for better or maybe for worse.

When you write down goals, considering a career change, further education, or any change really, ask yourself the following questions with the big picture in mind, and be mindful of possible consequences arising from your decision making process:

** Does doing this thing xyz serve me well or does it only serve others?

** What reason am I really doing this thing xyz for? What is it that I secretly really want to accomplish?

** Is this thing xyz really in my best interest and to those closest to me, or is it something I want because it distracts me from xyz?

** How will what I want, affect those nearest and dearest to me such as my partner, children, parents etc on a social, financial, and emotional level? Alleviate assumption; ask those involved directly for their opinion.

** What are the potential positive consequences of xyz?

** What are the potential negative consequences of xyz?

** Is there room for compromise?

** What would be the worst case scenario for doing this thing xyz? Would pursing this be worth it in the short and long term?

Include other questions if you can to the above checklist, the more you questions and answers you have the greater your overview will be.

Spoken words too have consequences. For example words that are inspirational, empowering, supportive, compassionate and kind have the power to elevate others and be the wind beneath their wings. On the other hand words spoken in haste and anger will result in consequences that may take a long time to heal.

For the latter take several deep breaths and count to 30 first. By the time you’ve reached 30 you may find the moment has thankfully passed.

Many years ago I heard someone say:

“You can either choose to be happy, or choose to be right”

I still use that statement today because for me at least, it has great value. I know what I would rather be and that is to be happy. This does not mean I am conceding defeat; it means I want to keep the peace and discuss the issue at a time when it is safe to do so.

Everything we do in life has a consequence and it all starts with an action. More often than not the trick is to do a ‘consequential analysis’, basically this means to future pace what could happen, what could go wrong and whether you are really willing to accept the consequences of your actions. So next time a potential life changing opportunity presents itself, spend some quiet time with pen and paper and start writing your ‘consequential analysis’.

About the Author:

Copyright requirements are that it remains with Michaela Scherr and for the link to be clickable or ‘live’ at http://www.michaelascherr.com Michaela is a Transformational Coach, certified practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), writer and intuitive who is totally committed to helping others create positive and action oriented changes
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In life, everybody faces problems daily. Each person needs to know how to solve their problems.

Many problems exist. There is economic, social, moral, political, religious, mental, and so on. Here in this short article we will learn solve our problems. The solution for every problem can be found within the problem itself.

The important thing to is to not become identified with the problem. People have a tendency to become identified with their problem and this identification is so intense that we become the problem. The result of this is that we fail to find a solution because by being a problem we cannot solve a problem. Have you ever heard the old saying that two wrongs do not make a right? Well, a problem can never solve another problem.

If you have a serious problem, do not become the problem, but realize this great truth: A problem cannot exist without a solution, and a solution can not exist without a problem. . You need to have a measure of mental calm to solve a problem. An unsure, panicked, or confused mind simply cannot solve any problem.

Try this as an experiment. Go find a fifth grade math book and open it to the first set of practice problems that you find. Find a friend or your spouse and have them yell at you. Tell them to be really mean and loud, to get in your face. No holds barred (conversationally speaking) and try to do the math problems. Time it for ten minutes. Now after you let your feelings recover, have your friend or spouse talk smoothly and gently, play some soothing music. Now do the math problems, again for ten minutes.

You will find that when you were calm you were able to easily and accurately work and solve the math problems. When you were a bit stressed you could not concentrate and may have done only a few and probably got those wrong. So? You ask. What this does is demonstrate that you cannot solve a problem with a problem.

So now you must find a way to calm yourself mentally. Go find yourself any healthy place: your back porch, a city park, the beach, etc. Distract yourself with something different, some gentle music and then, calm your self to be at peace. Do not worry about anything except what is happening right now. Ignore any attempts to remember yesterday, or to speculate on tomorrow. Simply realize where you are right now. Try to cause your brain to be still. Suddenly you will feel relaxed and peaceful. When you become aware of this feeling, memorize it! It is paramount that you remember this calm.

Now, again, I remind you that the solution to every problem is within the problem. Remember that without peace you cannot do anything new. You need calm and peace to solve the problem. In modern life we have many problems, and unfortunately, we do not always have peace. This is a true puzzle, a conundrum, because we cannot solve problems without being calm. We need to investigate what the principal factor is that puts an end to peace within and outside ourselves; we need to discover what causes the conflict. If we comprehend the cause of an illness, we cure the patient. If we know the cause of the conflict, we solve our problems.

If we carefully analyze ourselves, we discover that a constant state conflict exists within us: what we want to be and what we actually are. We are poor and we want to be millionaires, we are soldiers and we want to be generals, we are single and want to be married, we are employees and we want to be managers, etc. The state of contradiction engenders conflict, pain, moral misery, absurd actions, violence, gossip, jealousy, hatred, and prejudice, etc. Shall I do this? Or that, or the other? how? when? etc. Mental contradiction creates conflicts and frustrates the solution of problems. This state of conflict can never bring us peace. A person without peace can never solve their problems.

So first we need to solve the causes of the contradictions, then to finish with the conflicts. Now you ask “But what if you do not have time to find the cause”? This is why you had to know what peace felt like. Calm yourself and remember what the feeling of peace felt like. Maintain that feeling. Now look again at the problem and make your decision. This only takes a few seconds, and with practice soon becomes almost instant. This way will peace arrive and, with it, the solutions of the problems.

Do not try to blame others for our contradictions; the causes of these contradictions are within us. Mental conflict exists between what we are and what we want to be, between what a problem is and what we want it to be. When we have a problem of any kind our first reaction is to think about it, resist it, deny it, accept it, explain it, etc. It is necessary to understand that with mental anguish, worry, or confusion, it is not possible to solve any problem. The best way to react to a problem is with silence. This silence comes by not thinking about the problem. The silence comes when we realize that there is nothing to solve without a problem. Without a problem a solution can not exist. This silence arrives when we realize that resisting it solves no problem. From mental peace intelligent action is created the intuitive and wise action that will solve the problem no matter how difficult it might be is born. This intelligent action is not the result of any reaction. When we perceive the problem, when we notice the fact without affirming it, denying it, or explaining it, when we do not accept the fact, or reject it, then the silence of the mind arrives. Intuition flourishes with mental peace. From silence the intelligent action that totally solves the problem bursts forth. Only in mental silence and quietude is there freedom and wisdom.

Mental conflict is destructive and ruinous and is a result of opposed desires: we want and we do not want. We are in constant contradiction and this, in fact, is conflict. The constant contradiction that exists within us is due to the struggle of opposite desires. There is a constant transition of one desire for another desire. A permanent desire does not exist in the human being. Every longing is temporary; you want a job and after you have it, you desire a different job. The employee wants to be a manager; the priest wants to be a bishop. Nobody is satisfied with what they have. Everybody is full of unsatisfied desires and everybody wants satisfaction. Life is an absurd succession of fleeting and vain desires. When we at last see that all the desires in life are fleeting and vain, when we comprehend that desire is the cause of our conflicts and bitterness, when we understand that, then true peace of mind is born and conflicts disappear and true peace arrives.

About the Author:

Ralston “Skeeter” Heath has done a lot of traveling as well as served for 25 years in the military. He has learned about various esoteric subjects his whole life. The views he expresses are refreshing and practical. He writes in an easy to understand style and with uncommon wit. He is developing his own web site where he will combine all his knowledge in one place. Check it out at http://www.staffofpower.com
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You know you’re in trouble when:

- You can’t find the bill that you know just came in
- You run late because you can’t find our favorite shoes or keys
- No one can see the top of your dining room table
- There are stacks of stuff around
- You stop having people over because of the mess

Top 16 tips:

1. Get ready the night before. Put out clothing and accessories; find briefcase and all paperwork, even set the kitchen table for breakfast. Create a list of the 5-7 things you are going to do the next day.

2. 30-second rule. Spend 30 seconds putting something away. It is easier to hang up one outfit at the end of the day then it is to hang a weeks worth.

3. Rule of 80/20. You use 20% of your stuff 80% of the time- your favorite shirt for example. We all have stuff we don’t need. Getting rid of it is the hard part. Box, tape, date and dump/donate.

4. Start small, break large tasks down into small to-do items. Don’t burn yourself out, set a timer for 18 minutes and stop when the bell rings.

5. Go through your mail daily by a recycling bin with your calendar handy. Toss junk, keep bills and for things like a party invitation or cultural arts brochure, scan it, check the dates and write it in the calendar.

6. Write it down- you won’t be able to do it if you can’t remember what needs to be done.

7. Stacks of magazines sitting around? When you get them in the mail scan the table of contents- pull out the articles of interest and carry them with you to read. While waiting in the doctor’s office you can read your magazines instead of his. And consider canceling the subscription, it saves money.

8. Like goes with like.

9. Say no gracefully without feeling guilty. Have a policy in place “I’m sorry I only do two volunteer projects a year and I’ve already done mine for this year.” Or “I have to check with my family.” Or offer other assistance instead of staying up all night baking for a bake sale offer a donation.

10. Turn off the television. Neilson media research states that by the time we are 65 the average American has spent 9 years watching TV.

11. Simplify errands, use pick up and drop off services for things like dry cleaning and ordering office supplies online.

12. Take time for you. You will be a better parent and spouse and all around happier of you put self-care practices into place.

13. Organize your finances. Stop wasting money on late fees and overdrafts. Cancel memberships you don’t use to save money.

14. Plan your life- most people spend more time planning a week long vacation then they do planning their life. Once you figure out what you want, you need to create a plan to get it. You can find that job that makes you want to rush to work.

15. Have systems in place to deal with paperwork. Color-coded filing for kids and household papers.

16. Delegate to others including family members. Have a list of things to be done, use rewards and consequences, allow kids to contribute to the list, they will be more cooperative if they have a say.

About the Author:

Jamie Novak is a dynamic speaker, television personality, and best-selling author who inspires people to calm the chaos of clutter and live a life based on their priorities in a humorous and heartwarming way. Novak provides real solutions for those living in the real world, she promises never to suggest impractical solutions. http://www.JamieNovak.com
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One of my favorite expressions is that “you reap what you sow”. While I often hear it used negatively by someone who expects some “chickens to come home to roost” I prefer to think of it as something positive. How comforting to think that all our hard work and toil will be rewarded with a crop of something good? How wonderful to think that putting love and care into some project or person will indeed be rewarded.

Of course, while most Americans give lip service to the notion of our right to pursue happiness, all too many people do not really believe it applies to them. Many people simply believe they don’t deserve happiness. And even those few who do believe it seem to accept unhappiness as simple bad luck.

Every person does indeed deserve happiness and what is more happiness is contagious. The more happy people there are around then even more people will find happiness. We owe it ourselves to work on our own happiness and we owe it to society as well. Our own happiness will help others and inspire others to find happiness. If we are unhappy then we are likely making others unhappy as well (even if unintentionally) and it is extremely unlikely we are doing much to contribute to the happiness of others.

So how do you become a happy person? You simply reap your own happiness. But how? Take these four simple steps:

Step one — Ready Yourself For Happiness

You can accomplish this step by first determining that you want to be happy. Part of being happy is wanting to be happy. Once you have committed yourself to the course of finding happiness for yourself then you must rid yourself of the notion that happiness is luck or based on possessions or persons. No thing and no one can make you happy. Happiness comes from within yourself.

Step two — Envision Yourself As Happy

Every day when you first wake up and at various points during the day spend some time envisioning yourself as a happy person. Picture yourself laughing, smiling, relaxing. Imagine yourself as happy. The more you can fix this image of yourself as happy in your mind then the easier it will be for you to truly become happy.

Step three — Assume You Will Be Happy

Many people tend to assume that they will spend much of their lives either unhappy or at least not really happy. However we have all seen those people who do seem to be genuinely happy with their lives. They smile frequently, laugh often, and seem to be in good humor most of the time. Yet this is not because they are richer or more successful. Sometimes these people were just born with the good fortune to have an optimistic outlook that life has not yet knocked out of them, but often these people have simply chosen that they will be happy and they recognize that there is always something about their lives that makes them happy. You know this is true of yourself as well. Concentrate on the areas of your life that give you happiness whenever you feel unhappiness seeping in and no matter what assume that you will be, you can be, a happy person.

Step four — Pursue Your Happiness

Happiness is rarely a wonderful accident of fate. Happiness is rarely found by accident. While you may find happiness in unexpected places you must first open yourself to the possibility of happiness and prepare yourself to accept it when you find it. Some people are so miserable that they step right around happiness when they encounter. Don’t let this happen to you. What is more, don’t simply sit at home waiting for happiness to come knocking on your door. Go out and live life. Think about what currently makes you happy and spend time in those activities and think about what might make you happy and spend time experimenting. The more time you spend actively living your life then the more likely that you will also lead a happy life.

Remember, you deserve a happy life and you can lead a happy life, but in the end you reap what you sow. If you are sowing happiness in your life then you will reap happiness as well.

About the Author:

Deanna Mascle shares more inspirational writings in her blog Words Of Inspiration at http://WordsOfInspirationOnline.info
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What are the three keys to self improvement and motivation?

1. INSPIRATION.

Inspiration is critical to staying motivated and improving oneself. If you are not interested in your business, your motivation level will never be high and you will not be able to sustain interest for very long.

Take an honest look at your inspiration level. Are you excited about going to work or is it an obligation? You would be surprised at the number of people who choose a business that looks good on paper, but in reality does not interest them in the least.

These individuals will grow weary and uninterested pretty quickly because they have no inspiration or passion to sustain them during the difficult times they will encounter as a small business owner.

If you do not like your work, then think how you can re-focus your small business to better match your needs. Or consider making a change entirely. Without inspiration, there will not be motivated to even try self improvement.

2. SETTING GOALS.

Short and long-term goal setting is vital for any business owner. If you do not set goals, you would have no definite purpose on which path of self improvement to take.

How could you possibly be motivated if you were unsure about the direction of your company?

Take the time to put your goals in writing. A business plan may sound daunting, but it is really nothing more than goals, strategies, implementation and a budget. Write your own business plan and update it at least annually.

Include “mini-goals” that can be accomplished in a matter of hours, days or weeks as well as the more ambitious “grand-goals” that may take years to complete. Refer to this plan throughout the year.

But can a business plan really help motivate you? Of course. Written goals will make you feel more professional and certainly more connected to your business. It will also free you from having to reinvent your business goals every single day.

3. NETWORKING.

Another key factor in getting and staying motivated is networking with other small business owners. No one person knows all the knowledge.

However, when a number of people begin working together, the challenges will just be there waiting to be conquered.

In fact, the isolation of working alone is of one the most difficult parts of being an entrepreneur. You can never be on your way to self improvement without the help of others. Mutual support is motivating.

Make it easier on yourself by connecting with others either in your community or online. Even when businesses are not related, you will often find common ground and ways to work together.

Many successful entrepreneurs report that finding the right networking group was a turning point in the growth of the business. Working together, a networking group can help its members generate more qualified sales leads and solve problems faster and more efficiently.

Sharing ideas, expertise and experience is also an invaluable aspect of motivation and self improvement.

Your own personal team of business owners will help re-energize you when the burdens of running your own business seem too much.

With your networking team to rely on, you can accomplish more in less time and probably have more fun in the process. You will feel motivated to accomplish self improvement when you know you are not alone.

About the Author:

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Read more articles by: Jack Morris