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Procrastination Can Be Prevented – Here’s How…

Jaclyn Baker
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Even the most well-thought-out projects don’t always turn out as planned, which can bring on anxiety and procrastination. 

It’s interesting. At times just thinking about a task can be more anxiety-provoking than the task itself.

Even though it’s far easier said than done, sometimes the best thing you can do when faced with a difficult task is just jump right in. 

Facing a block in the road doesn’t mean you’ve hit a dead end. All it means is you need to look for a new route.

There Is No Such Thing As a Bad Idea

The next time you’re faced with a challenge, don’t give up. Instead, set some ground rules for yourself. 

Give yourself a time limit to brainstorm as many potential game plans as possible. You can even set a timer if that helps. 

During that time, you can put all your energy into brainstorming instead of worrying.

Once the time is up, you should have a pretty long list of ideas in front of you. 

Now, not every idea on your list may be appropriate for the given situation.

But just because an idea wouldn’t work today doesn’t mean it may not work in the future. 

So often, the initial fear of beginning a project can prolong procrastination. Having a long list of potential game plans can help make starting a little less scary.

Take Short Frequent Breaks

No matter what you’re working on, it’s very important to take breaks. Frequent short breaks can help prevent burnout and keep you motivated.

However, it’s key to ensure that your breaks aren’t too long. Sometimes after a long break, it can be difficult to get back into your creative flow.

Even if you don’t have many ideas at the time, just do what you can. 

“Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.” – Roger Crawford

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Raising Confident Children

Jaclyn Baker
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You can guide your child to believe in themselves and gain confidence by…

Building Self-Esteem Brick by Brick 

None of us are perfect and we all make mistakes. 

Reminding your child that we all fall down can help them embrace and accept their mistakes. 

Paying Attention to Your Words

Be mindful of the phrases you use when you’re around your child – especially the words you say about yourself. 

Here’s an example. 

Let’s say you and your child are in the car, and you accidentally miss your turn.

We’ve done that more times than we can count and understand how frustrating that can be, especially when time is of the essence.

When things like that happen, it’s so easy to say things like…

 “I can’t believe I did that. I take this route every day.” 

Or,

“That was so silly. I should have been paying more attention.”

Events like that happen all the time, and in the future, when your child starts driving, chances are they will miss their turn often as well.

Truth be told, there is a very good chance your child didn’t even notice you missed the turn. The best thing you can do is stay calm and laugh it off. 

Missing your turn isn’t always so bad. You and your little one can spend the extra time playing car games or listening to their favorite radio station. 

Letting Them Figure Things Out on Their Own 

The next time your child is trying to figure something out, don’t rush the process and let them take the wheel. 

As a parent, it’s normal to want to jump in and save the day. But children need to learn how to do things on their own – even if it takes them a while.

Remember how excited you were when you read your first book by yourself or successfully tied your shoes for the first time?

Those milestones are very exciting for children and play a key role in building their confidence.

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3 Secrets to Sleeping Better at Night

Jaclyn Baker
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Ever have one of those nights where you spend more time staring at the ceiling than you do sleeping?

Yes – those nights are not fun.

We all have tough nights from time to time, and that’s okay. But you know what they say. Tomorrow is another day. 

Go Easy On Yourself

When you can’t sleep, it’s so easy to get nervous and start calculating how many hours/minutes you have before your alarm goes off.

Even though it’s much easier said than done, the best thing you can do is try and relax and see where the night takes you.

Even if you don’t end up getting as many hours of shut-eye as you’d like one evening, there is always tomorrow.

Ditch The Devices

Texting, watching a video or reading the news before bed can take a toll on your sleep.

It’s so incredibly easy for time to fly by while texting a friend or playing on your phone. A few minutes of intended before-bed screen time could easily turn into an hour or more. 

On another note, watching or reading something stressful can make it that much harder to relax and unwind. 

If you’ve gotten into the habit of spending time on your phone before bed, that’s quite alright. All you need to do is replace that with another habit.

You practice light stretches, read an easy book or journal. 

Listen to Your Body

Paying attention to the tell-tale signs of tiredness can work wonders for your sleeping patterns. 

If you feel your eyelids starting to get heavy or a yawn coming on a couple of hours before you typically go to bed, don’t try to fight it.

Even if your mind is still awake, lean into what your body is trying to tell you. Get comfortable, lay down and let your muscles relax. 

This technique also works in the opposite direction. 

If one evening you don’t feel tired, respect that. Trying to sleep when you aren’t tired can be very frustrating.

Instead of hopping into bed, you can participate in a relaxing activity until you start feeling tired.

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Forming New Habits Is Easier Than You May Think

Jaclyn Baker
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Getting into the swing of a new routine can take some getting used to. 

But it is very possible if you put your mind to it.

Want to learn some of the secrets? Keep on reading. 

Find The Meaning 

What do you want, and why do you want it?

Whether you want to start waking up an hour earlier or learn a new language, it’s so important to remember your why.

Let’s talk about waking up early.

Chances are, there is a pretty good reason behind that want. 

Maybe you want more time in the morning to relax or work on hobbies before work, or maybe you’d rather start working earlier so you can have your afternoons and evenings free to spend with family.

When times get tough, remembering your reasons why can help keep you motivated.

Make a Plan

Once you’ve determined what you want, it’s time to think about how you can get there.

Creating a plan can help you stay on track and prevent unnecessary guesswork. Planning out your days/weeks in advance can help bring a bit of the future into the present. 

Continue to Move Forward

Even the most well-thought-out plans don’t always turn out as anticipated.

Working towards your new habit for just one minute a day is far better than skipping a day altogether. All you can do is take one step in front of the other. 

Change Along the Way

Whether you realize it or not, we change a little every day.

We learn. We grow. We thrive.

As time goes on, you may feel like a certain habit/activity no longer aligns with your goals and lifestyle.

Adjusting your routine is not the same as quitting. It all comes down to listening to your body and giving it what it needs.

“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going” – Jim Ryun

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Ready to Become a Better Listener?

Jaclyn Baker
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Active listening isn’t always easy – but the good news is, it can be learned. 

Don’t Be a Driver, Be a Passenger

When a friend wants to talk, let them vent. 

In certain situations, the best thing you can do for your friend is be there and listen. 

Instead of driving the conversation, let them take the wheel and say what’s on their mind. 

Hear Between the Lines

Let us know if this scenario sounds familiar.

You: Are you okay? You look a little down?

Friend: Yes, I am fine.

You: Are you sure.

Friend: Ya…

When we’re not feeling our best or having one of those days, it’s so easy to dismiss how we really feel. 

Sometimes we can hold our feelings in or deny them without even noticing. Saying everything is fine when it’s not can quickly become a habit.

When we’re having a bad day, little things like burning our toast or losing our keys can be enough to upset us. 

If you feel like your friend is holding back their feelings, you can try asking them some open-ended questions and see where the conversation goes. 

Wait, Wait, Wait, Respond

You may not always agree with your friends, and that is completely okay.

We all have our own opinions, and you should always stay true to who you are. 

Now, just because you don’t agree with what your friend is telling you doesn’t mean you can’t respect their opinion and be there for them.

Even though you may want to jump in and share your 2 cents, let them finish their thought first.

Step Into Their Shoes

Having empathy for friends and family can help you see the world through their eyes.

It can also help us understand them on a deeper level. 

“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” – Bryant H. McGill

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You Can Change Your Mindset

Jaclyn Baker
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Feelings such as anger, sadness and stress are unavoidable in life – but you don’t have to let negative emotions take over. You can change the narrative and your mindset. 

Here’s how…

Get Outside

Connecting with and spending time in nature is such an incredible way to combat worry and anxiety.

There’s nothing like going on a nice walk and breathing in the nice fresh air when you’re not feeling your best.

Now you may be thinking to yourself “That sounds great! I just don’t have the time.”

If you work long hours or are a student, walking away from the computer can be a bit tough, but there are several happy mediums. 

You can take short walks around the block during breaks or bring your computer or reading material outside! Give it a try for a week and see if you notice a difference. 

Healthy Distractions

The brain is not designed for multitasking. It is very difficult to do two things at once well.

If you’re having one of those stressful days, listening to some upbeat tunes or a funny show can help dial down your stress levels quite a bit.

It may not solve everything right away. But it can certainly help speed up the process. 

Acknowledge the Power of Words

Writing down what’s on your mind is a fast and effective way to get thoughts off your chest. 

If the words aren’t coming to you – read instead. Sometimes, a good book can help you better understand what you’re feeling. Or be a great escape!

Phone a Loved One

When in doubt, phoning a friend or family member never hurts.

You can never have too many listening ears on your side. When you’re tired or stressed, it is almost always harder to think through situations rationally. They may be able to help you look at things in a new light.

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Returning to the Present Moment

Jaclyn Baker
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Do you ever catch yourself getting lost in moments that happened weeks, months or even years ago?

Maybe you can’t stop thinking about that job opportunity you turned down…

Or maybe you wish you shared more in-depth feedback during that last meeting…

If we aren’t careful, it’s so easy to get lost in those “should have”, “would have” thoughts. 

Now, our past does play an important role in both our future and present. 

Every single event, both positive and negative, can teach us so many things. The only thing is, when we spend so much time thinking about the past, we can forget to focus on the present.

These tips can help you live in the moment and appreciate every day.

Start Small 

Do you ever catch your mind wondering while doing day-to-day activities such as cooking or cleaning?

If you answered yes, you are not the only one. In fact, it happens to us too!

Now, we all have household chores we don’t love doing, and that’s completely okay. 

But there are plenty of ways you can make those household chores more fun. As time goes on, you may even look forward to them.

It’s all about implementing little things you already love into the activity.

You can play your favorite song on full blast in the background or chat with your best friend on speakerphone.

Add Spontaneity to Your Routine

Ever notice how you always take the same route to work?

Or how you always gravitate towards that blue mug in your cabinet?

When we do the same thing for so long, we often do it without even thinking about it. It’s basically like living on autopilot.

Adding a little spontaneity here and there can encourage creative thinking, boost productivity and help us get out of our own head.

Take a brand new route to work, visit a new grocery store, or read a book by an author you’ve never heard of.

Try it out and see how it goes.

“When you’ve had a life of overthinking, you have the same reaction time and time again.” – Joel Annesley

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4 Techniques To Help Minimize Stress

Jaclyn Baker
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We may not be able to completely avoid stressful events.  But we can minimize its intensity in healthy ways.

Keep on reading to learn more. 

Gratitude Lists

The next time you catch yourself feeling overwhelmed or anxious, hit pause, sit down and say five things out loud you are grateful for.

Don’t take too much time to think about this list. Just say the first 5 things that come to mind. 

Not sure where to begin?

Here are some examples that can help get you started.

1) A beautiful sunny day.

2) That first sip of coffee in the morning.

3) Your best friend.

4) Your favorite comfy socks.

Okay – now it’s your turn! 

Call a Friend

When you’re stressed about something, sometimes the best thing you can do is call a friend to vent or chit-chat. We are all so different and have our own way of looking at things.

Your friend may be able to help you look at what’s bothering you in a new way.

Listen To Your Body

Your stress may be a result of running on a low battery for too long. 

It’s so important to listen to what your body is trying to tell you. 

If you feel like you’ve been working too many hours or feel a sense of unbalance, you may need to change up your routine.

There is nothing wrong with going to bed an hour early or declining an event if you don’t feel up to it. 

Identify Your Stressors

We may not be able to control every stressful event that happens to us.

But if you take some time to identify your main stressors, you may be able to dial down the intensity.

For example, if you find your email inbox overwhelming you can unsubscribe from emails that no longer deliver value or only check emails during business hours.

Give it a try and see what happens!

“No one knows your body like you do. Listen to it. It will tell you what to eat, when to drink, how to sleep and which exercises you need to do. Let your own body be your most trusted personal trainer.” –  Toni Sorenson

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