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Do you ever wish you had more self-confidence? Self-confidence is one of the most important feelings any adult or child can experience. In fact, confidence in our abilities and ourselves often account for the difference between people who succeed and those who do not. But how do you become self-confident?
 
There are a number of things you can do to build your feelings of confidence. One of the most important is the deliberate acquisition and strengthening of meaningful skills. Stewart Brand, founder and publisher of "The Whole Earth Catalog," said that, "The formula for an interesting life is skills… >>>

Most of us know that too much stress can create problems, but did you know there is a kind of stress that is good for you? That is hard to believe, isn't it? Let's look a little closer into this "good stress."
 
All of us have comfort zones. A comfort zone is just a term used to describe the physical or psychological area in which we feel comfortable and at ease. When we move away from the familiar to the new and different, we are moving out of our comfort zone. 
 
If the move is not something we… >>>

Managers who want quality from their workforce need to hold themselves to the same high standards. To borrow an old saying, "What's good for the goose, is good for the gander" - or it should be.
 
You see, in the quest for total quality and continuous improvement, many managers forget about the role that they themselves play in bringing these things about. They ignore the baggage they bring to work every day, but expect their employees to be totally focused on their jobs. Or they announce a new corporate ethic, but continue to behave as they always have because… >>>

Creativity is a highly valued character trait and today, let's talk about how to help children grow into creative adults.
 
Creative adults don't just happen. Creative people are usually raised in ways that encourage them to use their imagination while they are still children. But what can parents or grandparents - or any adult vital to a child's life - do if they want to encourage their children's creativity? Well, one way is to help them develop a rich fantasy life.
 
Of course, kids need to be able to tell the difference between fact and fantasy. But a… >>>

Whether you are raising kids or trying to improve your own self-esteem, the relationship between who you are and what you do is important. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, or simply trying to build your own self-esteem, it is important to realize that we need to separate our sense of self-worth from our behavior.
 
Imagine this scene: A three-year-old asks repeatedly, "Mama, do you love me?" Each time, Mom answers, "Of course I do." Then the child takes her hand and leads her to a broken vase or shattered toy and looks at her mother questioningly.
 
Here… >>>

Did you know that you have a gift that no one else in the world possesses?  Maybe you have already discovered it.  It is your ability to live a life that expresses your unique personality and your individual talents through the work that you choose to do, the way you spend your free time and through your relationships.
 
Although it may seem hidden at first, when you search for your gift with an open mind and a free spirit, it will be there. Once you have found it, if you follow it with courage and persistence, it will reward… >>>

Nothing blocks change quite the way fear does, and when its power is greater than your power to push through it, fear is devastating. We can see evidence of this every day in the news. However, in his 1989 publication, "Getting Unstuck," Dr. Sidney Simon discussed ten ways fear blocks change, and today that information bears repeating. You see, the power of fear unchecked hasn't changed.
 
Fear persuades you to do less than you are capable of doing. It triggers internal defense systems and fools you into thinking that you have perfectly good reasons not to change. Fear, particularly… >>>

Have you ever had anyone tell you that you were trying too hard to succeed? What is it about trying too hard that just does not seem to work?
 
Now, it is not a mistake to put your energy into something, or that you should not try at all. However, there comes a point at which we can try too hard, and when that happens we tend to get in our own way.
 
Why do you suppose that is? Consider this: All of us have a self-concept or self-image - our idea of what we are like. As… >>>

While we are on the subject, let's talk about the most important relationship in your life - the one you have with yourself.
 
Think of someone you regard as a dear friend. If no such person exists in your life, dream one up. The time you spend with this person brings you a special pleasure, doesn't it? You tend to be loving, protective, and solicitous toward him or her, and you really have their best interests at heart, don't you? You really care.
 
Now, ask yourself, "Do I give myself the same kind of care and consideration?" On… >>>

Most of us can handle physical pain, but when it comes to rejection or disapproval, it is often another story. Today, let's talk more about handling psychological pain.
 
Most of us deal pretty well with the physical lumps and bumps of life. Even though we dislike them, we bear our falls, illnesses, broken bones, surgeries and the like with relative aplomb. However, when it comes to psychological hurts, like disapproval or rejection, we often behave like frightened children, or we seal ourselves away in isolation.
 
Now, on an intellectual level, we all know we can't go through life… >>>