13 Personal Effectiveness Lesson From the Personal MBA

Read this useful article on achieving personal effectiveness as  featured in Life Optimizer here.

What is Important To You In Your Job?

What is Important To You In Your Job?

What drives you?

Can you write it down in a single word? Is it recognition? Is it compensation? Is it the power?

Identifying your purpose in the job you do day day out helps to motivate you to. And if you really cannot find a purpose in the current job, it is time you move on.

Which Vitamins Practically Guarantee Faster Hair Growth?

It may come as a slight surprise but you can actually enhance the growth of your hair by focusing on certain vitamins. Now it can be quite easy to try out the latest and greatest hair loss product on the market. It seems like everyone wants that quick fix in order to regrow their hair as fast as possible.

It takes time to get your hair growing back. After all, more than likely your hair started falling out gradually right? This is something that many people fail to actually think about.

If you want to grow hair that's thicker and more vibrant, vitamin B is one of the best vitamins to get more of in your diet. There are four categories of this vitamin that are dedicated to healthy hair growth. They are B3, B5, B6 and B12. You may have heard of another one that's often classified with these vitamins called biotin. Biotin is known for triggering nail growth, skin cell development and the growth of hair cells.

3,000 mcg of biotin each day will do the trick. You also can't forget about foods containing B vitamins such as apricots, potatoes, cabbage and egg yolk.

Bald spots can occur in your scalp from a lack of sufficient circulation. This problem will certainly grow to become a larger one if left untreated. What can you do about this? You may want to get more vitamin C and E into your body. Vitamin C isn't just for maintaining and building a healthy immune system, it also helps strengthen blood vessels in your scalp. This will allow more blood to pass through and reach your follicle roots resulting in an increase of hair growth.

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Reflections on Taking Action

You can read all the self help books you want;attend hundreds of self improvement courses, read self help blogs everyday and repeat self suggestions and motivations every hour of the day but nothing will change if you don't act.

Look at the world around you and notice that everything obeys the law of cause and effect. The screen you are reading this from just didn't happen. Someone thought of it, another built it. Just thinking about it did not make it happen. The thought was just the seed.

The seed had to be planted and nurtured and only after it had grown into a tree and starts to fruit can we harvest it. The same goes for the all the knowledge you have gained.

You must take action on it to see the benefits of it.

An Ancient Egyptian Civil Service Precept

The following precept was laid down thousands of years ago for the Egyptian civil service:

Be courteous and tactful as well as honest and diligent. All your doings are publicly known, and therefore be beyond complaint or criticism. Be absolutely impartial. Always give a reason for refusing plea; complainants like a kindly hearing even more than a successful plea. Preserve dignity but avoid inspiring fear. Be an artist in words, that you may be strong, for the tongue is a sword.

Recognising Others

It is often said that being recognized is the deepest craving of human nature. Not only we are who we think we are but we are also a function of what people think we are. It is important that we treat ourselves well. It is equally important that we treat others just as well. After all, we are all fighting the same war.

Here are 10 ways to make others feel important.

1. Give sincere praise. Always be on alert for opportunities to compliment or commend another.

2. Show enthusiasm. Always be enthusiastic when dealing with others.

3. Be supportive. Show your interest in what others are pursuing and encourage them.

4. Be attentive. Find out if others are in need of help.

5. Be appreciative.

6. Be approving.

7. Show affection. Let others know that you care.

8. Be accepting. Don't be judge others. Let them be themselves.

9. Be affirming. Positive affirmative statements does wonders to the human mind.

10. Be a friend. Emerson once said, "To have a friend, you must first be a friend."

10 Recommended Daily Habits

10 Recommended Daily Habits.

1. Read about your job.

2. Spent 15 minutes learning a new skill everyday.Once you've you mastered it. Find something new and repeat.

3. Read at least one inspirational story or poem a day.

4. Exercise for at least 30 minutes.

5. Do at least one daily task - such as brushing your teeth - with your non dominant hand.

6. Smile at a stranger at least once a day.

7. Play a mind stimulating game such as sudoku, crossword or chess.

8. Do one task that you do not like or been avoiding. This can be anything from washing your clothes to calling your mother-in-law.

9. Praise someone.

10. Review your activity at the end of everyday.

Mind Mapping

Mind Mapping, popularized by Tony Buzan is a powerful technique that improves note taking and enhances creative problem solving. It differs from conventional note taking which uses the list format in that it is two dimensional and compact. Mind Mapping also uses key words and key images to give a more collective presentation of a subject.

Microsopic view of the brain neuron cell

Mind Maps emulates the way the human brain works in making associations and this in turn aids in seeing the whole “picture” rather then seeing one part at a time.

Mind Maps are useful for:

1. Recall. Since mind maps copies the way the brain works which is not linear but naturally associative it helps you to remember more easily. Mind Maps are also more visual and recalling images is easier then recalling words.


2. Creativity. Mind Maps reflects the way the brain organizes information or thoughts. Any single idea is linked to thousands of others. As information is presented in more coherent way, the brain will find it easier to connect the links and this aids in creativity.


3. Planning and Presentation. The visual nature of mind maps can assist you in writing a book, building a website and/or to give public talks or seminars.

How To Mind Map.

Peter Russell who joined Tony Buzan in the 1970s teaching mind mapping skills to various organizations gives the following tips on how to mind map.

* Use just key words, or wherever possible images.

* Start from the center of the page and work out.

* Make the center a clear and strong visual image that depicts the general theme of the map.

* Create sub-centers for sub-themes.

* Put key words on lines. This reinforces structure of notes.

* Print rather than write in script. It makes them more readable and memorable. Lower case is more visually distinctive (and better remembered) than upper case.

* Use color to depict themes, associations and to make things stand out.

* Anything that stands out on the page will stand out in your mind.

* Think three-dimensionally. Use arrows, icons or other visual aids to show links between different elements.

* Don't get stuck in one area. If you dry up in one area go to another branch.

* Put ideas down as they occur, wherever they fit. Don't judge or hold back.

* Break boundaries. If you run out of space, don't start a new sheet; paste more paper onto the map. (Break the 8x11 mentality.)

* Be creative. Creativity aids memory.

* Get involved. Have fun.

An example of a Mind Map – From BuzanWorld

If you interested you can visit the links below which offers information free mind mapping tools.

1. Free Mind – Free Software


2. Mind-Mapping.org – Mind Mapping Resources

Inspirational Writting #6

My Wage ~ Jessie Rittenhouse

I bargained with Life for a penny,
And life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening,
When I counted my scanty store;

For Life is just employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why you must bear the task.

I only work for a menial's hire,
Only to learn dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life
Life gladly would have paid.

10 Simple Ways On How To Beat Boredom Cheaply

1. Read a book. Hit the library.

2. Put on a rock song, close your eyes and imagine that you are rocker performing in a concert. Try this. It works everytime for me.

3. Observe things around you, pick on anything and research it on the internet. You'll be suprised with the amount of information that is available today on just about anything.

4. Try drawing objects in front of you, each item separately first and then combine them. How do you think a table, a chair, a steel cabinet and calculator will look like if you combine them?

5. Try creating your own alphabets.

6. Make your own sandwiches.

7. Go for a walk in the park.If you have a camera try snapping some photos.

8. Create a website.

9. Learn a new language.

10. Write articles, short stories or novels.

In today's information age, no one should feel bored. There are many ways to beat boredom without spending a dime or cheaply. Scientific American has a good article about the studies done on boredom here.

Inspirational Writing #5

Equipment ~ Edgar Guest

Figure it out for yourself, my lad,
You've all that the greatest of men have had,
Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes,
And a brain to use if you would be wise.
With this equipment they all began,
Do start from the top and say, " I can."

Look them over, the wise and the great,
They took their food from a common plate,
And similar knives and forks they use,
And similar laces they tie their shoes,
The world considers them brave and smart,
But you've all they had when they made their start.

You can triumph and come to skill,
You can be great if you only will.
You are well equipped for the what fight you choose,
You have arms and legs and a brain to use,
And the man who has risen great deeds to do,
Began his life with no more than you.

You are the handicap you must face,
You are the one who must choose his place,
You must say where you want to go,
How much you will study, the truth to know.
God has equipped you for life, But He
Lets you decide what you want to be.

Courage must come from the soul within,
The man must furnish the will to win.
So figure it for yourself, my lad,
You were born with all that the great have had,
With your equipment they all began.
Get hold of yourself, and say:"I can."

Praise

If with pleasure you are viewing, anything a man is doing,

If you like it, or you like him, tell him now, Don't delay your approbation for the funeral ovation, As he lies with snow white lilies o'er his brow. For no matter how you shout it, he won't know a thing about it, He won't know how many teardrops you have shed. If you think some praise is due to him, now's the time to tell it to him, For he'll never smell your flowers when he's dead, Nor will he read the tombstone o'er his head.

The poem above, titled Tell Him Now appears in Frank Tibolt's book, A Touch Of Greatness. It captures the importance of giving praise in a beautiful way.

Too often we are stingy in our praises and too generous in disparage of others. It is always easy to find a fault in someone. Everyone has one. It takes a little bit of effort to see the positive in others but it is worth it. Studies after studies in human behavior have found that giving praise works better in raising productivity than criticism.

Learn to give praise and not flattery. Flattery is cheap and dishonest and often used by those with hidden agendas and malicious intent. If someone has done good, tell him or her. Everyone can do with a little pat in the back.

Remember that everyone is fighting their own battle and a giving praise to whatever achievement, big or small, rekindles the spirit.

Keep Your Brain Fit

The human brain is a fantastic organ and its importance cannot be overstated. Like all other organ in our body it must be kept fit. The human brain follows a very simple rule of fitness. Use or lose it. Researchers studying the human brain say that the brain can be kept fit even at a very old age. Studies have also shown that an active brain can prevent mental disease such as Alzheimer's. The importance of a fit brain cannot be overstated and listed below are several steps you can take to keep your brain stimulated.

1. Learn a new task. Learning new things keeps the brain engaged. It helps to grow new connections in the neural network. Examples include a new language, a new software program or yoga. You can also start a new hobby.

2. Travel. Traveling is a very good way to keep the brain stimulated. The early human race led a nomadic lifestyle and this provided a plethora of stimulation. Our ancestors had to keep upgrading their tools and survival skills constantly to new environments.

3. Neurobics. Created by Lawrence C. Katz, Ph.D, a professor of neurobiology and co-author of the popular book Keep Your Brain Alive - 83 Memory Exercises to Help Prevent Memory Loss and Increase Mental Fitness. Neurobics are simple and fun brain exercises. Some exercises you can include in your daily life are:
a. Get dressed with your eyes closed
b. Wash your hair with your eyes closed
c. Share a meal and use only visual cues to communicate
d. Eat with your opposite hand
e. Go to work in a new route

4. Read. Reading is to the brain like what a gym workout is to the body. Crossword puzzle also gives the brain a good workout

5. Exercise. A sedentary lifestyle is not only bad for the body but also the brain. A large number of studies have shown that aerobic exercises such as walking, jogging and cycling, benefits the brain in the short and the long term.

The Action Habit

The ability to get things done is the one ability that talent, hard work or even genius can't surpass in the quest for success. Having a sound idea is important but not enough. Acting on that idea and translating it into reality will give it value. Many man and woman are doing very well for themselves today because they took action on an idea they had. If you want to join them then you must develop the action habit.

David Schwartz in The Magic of Thinking Big lists 7 steps to grow the action habit.

1. Don't wait for the perfect condition. There never be a perfect condition. Take the plunge and solve problems as they arise.

2. Remember that ideas alone are not enough. There is a huge difference in knowing what to do and doing what you know.

3. Take action and cure fear. Just do it and watch your fear disappear.

4. Start your mental engine mechanically. Move your spirit, dig in and take action.

5. Live in the present. Develop the now mentality.

6. Get down to business. Don't just get ready to act. Act.

7. Take the initiative. Pick the ball and run. Go and slam dunk it.

Being Sacked

One rainy December morning, I found myself out of a job.

After two months of rumours flying around the office cubicles that some of us will have to go, it finally happened. I did hear my name was among the disposables but no one knew for sure. I was in a very uncertain position and uncertainty does funny things to your head. To keep my own sanity I avoided thinking about it and tried my best to focus on my job. I thought of all the qualities I had and naively concluded that I will not be sacked. Well, I was and what a time to be sacked. The Eid Fitr was just four days away, my wife was six months pregnant and there was not much left in the savings account.

I was disappointed initialy but it did not last long. To my surprise, I felt a sense of relief. Rather than being uncertain, I knew I am definitely out of a job and I need to concentrate in looking for work. After two months of searching. I found myself a better paying job than the one I was released from.

Looking back now I would say the whole thing made me stronger. Being fired is a not pleasant situation to be in but this sort things happens. If you find yourself out of job, the suggestions below might be of help.

1. Keep a cool head. Don't go on a rampage.

2. Finalize the paperwork. Find your severance package and make sure everything is in order.

3. Leave quietly. This is not the time for hugs and kisses. You can call your close colleagues later.

4. Look forward to the future. Avoid being nostalgic.

5. Learn the lesson. Analyse why you were fired and do the necessary if the fault lies in you.

Don't despair, being laid-off may seem to be a disaster but it can turn up to be a blessing in disguise.

Inspirational Writings # 2

My Declaration of Self Esteem ~ Virgina Satir

I am me.

In all the world, there is no one exactly like me. There are persons who have some parts like me, but no one adds up exactly like me. Therefore, everything that comes out of me is authentically mine because I alone chose it.

I own everything about me-my body, including everything it does; my mind, including all its thoughts and ideas; my eyes, including the image of all they behold; my feelings, whatever they may be-anger, joy, frustration, love, disappointment, excitement; my mouth, and all the words that come out of it, polite, sweet or rough, correct, incorrect;my voice, loud or soft; and all my actions, whether they be to others or to myself.

I own my fantasies, my dreams, my hopes, my fears.

I own all my triumph and successes, all my failures and mistakes.

Because I own all of me, I can become intimately acquainted with me. By doing so I can love me and be friendly with me in all my parts. I can then make it possible for all of me to work in my best interest.

I know there are aspects about myself that puzzle me, and other aspects that I do not know. But as long as I am friendly and loving to myself, I can courageously and hopefully look for the solutions to the puzzles and for ways to find out more about me.

However I look and sound, whatever I say and do, and whatever I think and feel at the given moment in time is me. This is authentic and represents where I am at the moment in time.

When I review later how I looked and sounded, what I said and did, and how I thought and felt, some parts may turn out to be unfitting. I can discard that is unfitting, and keep that which proved fitting, and invent something new for that which I discarded.

I can see, hear, think, say and do. I have the tools to survive, to be close to others, to be productive, and to make sense and order out of the world of people and things outside of me.

I own me, and therefore I can engineer me.

I am me and I am okay.

Inspirational Writings # 1

Fight One More Round ~ James J. Corbett

Fight one more round. When your feet are so tired that you have to shuffle back to the center of the ring, fight one more round. When your arms are so tired that you can hardly lift your hands to come to guard, fight one more round. When your nose is bleeding and your eyes are black and you are so tired that you wish your opponent will crack you one in the jaw and put you to sleep, fight one more round- remembering that the man who always fight one more round is never whipped.