Get the energy to succeed!
You can't hide lack of energy and motivation since it's evident from how you carry yourself. Sit down somewhere and watch people walking and you will quickly notice whose got what it takes and who hasn't. How are you going to be able to move forward and create new beginnings if you don't have it? Who would hire or do business with someone without the drive and energy to succeed?
What kind of exercise you choose is entirely up to you. Personally I thrive on swimming, yoga, roller-blading and walking.
To be inspired will not be enough if you don't have both the physical and mental energy it takes to succeed. So now that many of you are between jobs you have no excuse for not exercising, sleeping enough and making sure you get the nutrition you need, both for your health and mental wellbeing.
At least half an hour a day
When you are tired and under stimulated you don't perform well and your results consequently leave a lot to be desired. So now is the time to change that. You have the time and it's not more expensive, or difficult, to lead your life in ways that give you energy. Are you getting the nutrition you need through what you are eating? Are you exercising enough? At least half an hour a day, now that you have the time? Are you sleeping enough? Have you got positive relations with the people around you? How about goals? Have you set them yet? And are you taking time out for yourself to be able to think and reflect on what is important to you and why? Not to mention learning from what is not working out the way you intended?
What kind of exercise do you do?
There is no set formula for this since we are all different. What kind of exercise you choose is entirely up to you. Personally I thrive on swimming, yoga, roller-blading and walking. But if you prefer football, jogging or whatever that's what you should do. Exercising makes your body produce endorphins, which is like a natural feel good drug. And yoga has the added benefit of completely removing stress if you breathe properly while doing it. Not to mention pranayama, the yogic breathing exercises, that have amazing benefits on your health an well-being. Sauna and steam baths are great too since you sweat out the negative energy.
You are what you eat!
Whenever I'm in a supermarket anywhere in the world I'm amazed at what people have in their trolleys. Not as bad as junk food, but almost. There is very little nutrition left in such food, so how about eating more fresh vegetables, fruit, whole-grain bread and other good sources of fibre? And to be on the safe side, take at least a multivitamin supplement to make sure you get everything you need.
Sleeping enough to recover and repair is essential. You may be one of the lucky ones that thrive on four hours a day or you may need eight? Personally I'm fine as long as I get six hours. Anything less and I'm tired. You know how much you need, so just make sure you get it.
Avoid negativity
Being surrounded by negative people have a really bad impact on you. How about trying to improve relations, when possible? Failing that I would suggest you just ignore negative people and the discouraging comments you get. Simply make an effort to be tolerant and accept that what he/she thinks is his/her opinion. We're all different and whose right and whose wrong?
Regarding goals, if you don't know what you are aiming for, where will you end up? Now is the time to decide what you really want to achieve in your life. But don't be too rigid since that may prevent you from even noticing other lucrative possibilities that come your way.
Make plans and evaluate
Getting time for yourself may be difficult, but it's essential in order to move on. If nothing else how about thinking through what happened during the day and how you could have done better just before you go to sleep? And then first thing in the morning thinking through and deciding what you would like to achieve during the day.
And whatever you do, don't feel sorry for yourself or, worse, start drinking or doing drugs, because then you really are doomed. Sitting at home watching television is not a good idea either. Read inspiring books about people who have achieved something, Dale Carnegie or other motivating authors.
Scientists have actually proven that flowers and plants make us more creative and able to come up with innovative solutions to problems. So get out in nature and get energy. Not only is it delightful but it also brings you closer to your goals. Even buying a plant will have a positive affect on you. So what are you waiting for, make an effort, get more energy and succeed! No health – no wealth, is another way of putting it.
(re-published on popular demand)
(Photo Stana Photoxpress)
Tags: energy, exercise, feel good drug, fruit, goals, nutrition, reflect, results, rollerblanding, sauna, sleep, stress, success, swimming, vegetables, yoga
November 29th, 2009 at 22:40
The fast pace of our lives make us forget the Human factor , to realize the fact that we are humans, not machines ..
Human beings need to eat, sleep, have fun, socialize.. and work !
If we skipped other parameters from the formula it will be unbalanced , and life will be a nightmare .. it's the time when nothing makes you happy, and you do not feel any value from anything you are doing, sometimes i fall in this trap, when life is rushing and everything is going on extremely fast , when I come home at night by 8:00 pm to wake up next day at 6:00 am go again to work and so on ..
I find my immunity falling and get sick , I start to be more tense and nervous which in turn creates more problems with people around me, and this gets me more stressed .. and so on the endless loop of hesitation and frustration ..
When I reach this point, I tell myself, hey , STOP , take a deep breath, re-evaluate , take a small break to reflect and see what, where , when ,how and why I'm in this awful situation ..
I liked your post a lot, and in my normal life I tend to follow this, to have a small walk before going to job, I meet with my friends, I see my family and sometimes play video games with my brother
but at rush times, we forget everything, and then we turn again to Machines..
I think the baseline is how to stay disciplined and organized when everything around you is calling you to panic ..
I'd like to mention that I'm a Muslim, but being so helps a lot in such situations, there a Hadeeth (words) for Prophet Muhamed (PBUH) he says:
قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:" إن لبدنك عليك حقاً، وإن لأهلك
عليك حقاً، وإن لربك عليك حقاً؛ فأعط لكل ذي حقٍ حقه"
which means:" Your health and body have right on you, And your family have a right on you ِ And God "Allah – Subhanah wa Ta'ala" has right on you, So give each one his right "
It's about being in the middle, and to be fair enough with every aspect in our lives
when things crash up and the storm begins, what stabilizes me is the Faith in Allah Almighty, that Allah will never let you down, as long as you are doing your best.. as it was mentioned in the holy Qura'an
"And be patient, for surely Allah does not waste the reward of the good-doers" Sorat Hud 11:115
Sorry for my long comments, but your lovely post let pushed me to share my personal thoughts with you ..
Thanks a lot and waiting for more
November 30th, 2009 at 05:10
A great reminder on how to get the best out of life, whatever your circumstances, Catarina!
As you say, being out of work is no reason not to get used to a healthy lifestyle – in fact, with the extra time on your hands you now have no excuse NOT to exercise, to eat healthy home-cooked meals (they are cheaper and better for you than "junk food"), and to expand your horizons.
Use the time between jobs to upgrade your skills or learn new ones. People who are active, engaging, interesting and positive have much better employment prospects than negative couch-potatoes.
Don't wait for January 1st: start working on the "New You" today…
November 30th, 2009 at 10:24
Good points Guy!
From: notifications@intensedebatemail.com
To: catarina.alexon@live.se
Subject: Catarina's World – New comment on: Get the energy to succeed!
November 30th, 2009 at 17:07
Aya I like your quotes from the Quran. There is more to life than meets the eye i.e. In Sh'Allah in the true sense.
November 30th, 2009 at 17:08
Have you started yet Guy?
December 1st, 2009 at 04:24
Absolutely – I'm, in the gym at 6 every morning when it opens; eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, have reduced red meat and increased fish consumption. I watch very little TV anyway (mainly a new bulletin or two a day) and continue to spend time learning new things, as I have always done.
December 1st, 2009 at 19:03
Excellent!
December 7th, 2009 at 02:19
as some proverbs say:
Do not work, play instead!
Do not live, play instead!
Do not think about problems, follow them instead!
Do not catch up with life, let it catch up with you instead!
etc. etc.
Very nice post-overview on the good way of creating the the personal vision about world around, should be thought in school with many more additional things . .but thats a different topic
Nice blog and writing Caterina, wish you look and would be following your posts on linkedin with pleasure.
Cheers
December 29th, 2009 at 01:12
Great post, your writing style is easily more appealing that 95% of bloggers out there! How do I subscribe?
January 1st, 2010 at 15:58
Hello and thanks.
Why don't you just click on the subscribe button or simply follow me on Twitter, or Linkedin?
April 14th, 2010 at 22:30
Of course, what a great web page and educational posts, I’ll add backlink – bookmark this website? Regards, Reader.
April 15th, 2010 at 10:14
Very pleased you like my blog.
April 22nd, 2010 at 02:22
I have been searching for a good supplement to help me get to sleep too. Melatonin has bad side effects. You think its as good as they say?
April 27th, 2010 at 00:07
Wow, many thanks a bunch m8
April 29th, 2010 at 04:02
I have to admit I am very impressed with the quality of your blog. It is certainly a pleasure to read as I do enjoy your posts.
July 7th, 2010 at 11:43
Catarina,
You know I would not be able to resist a comment on subjects that are of so much interest to me: determinants of success, motivation/desire/energy to persevere in pursuit of excellence, goal setting & its impact on performance, behavioral and psychological (and environmental) factors, etc, etc.
I hope you don’t mind, but I think somebody else’s words will do a better job in conveying my thoughts. A while back I came across an article (“Self-Motivation: The Desire to Succeed” by Matthew Hick and I added it to my ongoing collection of “stuff for future reference”…..I think this article addresses many of your questions/issues – I like the concise and nature of the piece.
WHAT I LIKE MOST ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PIECE: IT ADDRESSES 1) Personality traits (or, in other words, our genetic make-up), 2) behavioral factors, and 3) environmental/external factors.
ALSO, SOME OF THE AUTHOR’S “VIEWS” WOULD FIT IN VERY NICELY WITH MY DOCTORAL DISSERTATION (IE, GOAL-SETTING AS PREDICTOR OF SUCCESS). I don’t believe author’s permission is required for me to post the article & I provided full reference below, too.
In any case: a nice, concise article that includes much specific suggestion re: improving one’s performance/becoming more successful. Unfortunately, it does not mention yoga
Jay
Self-Motivation: The Desire to Succeed By: Matthew Hick, Nov 09, 2006
It's 6 in the morning. The alarm clock is buzzing, and you're thinking to yourself, "What's the point in getting up this early for work?" For some of us, the motivation is simply the desire to shut off the clock that is vibrating off the nightstand. But for others, it is truly self-motivation. It is an internal alarm clock that motivates a person to make the best of his or her day.
Certainly, everyone wants to succeed in the world. Everyone wants to have a purpose, to be at the top of the corporate ladder, or to be the best he or she can be in any given area. But why do some people succeed in doing these things, and others do not? The answer is: self-motivation.
There are several factors that contribute to self-motivation. They include:
-Self-esteem
-Desire to succeed
-Will power
-Mental stability
-Family
-Life goals
-Daily activities
-Daily pleasures
All of these factors will directly affect success in a career, in academics, in playing sports, and in marriage and parenting. Whether you desire the highest position possible at your job, or graduating with a 4.0 grade point average, you need self-motivation to do it. Self-motivation drives an athlete to score the winning soccer goal, just as it drives a parent to be a good role model for a child.
Along with the desire to succeed comes mental stability. Everyone has a bad day here and there; but what self-motivates a person to continue on with the bad day? The answer is mental stability. The mind is a great force. When you put your mind to accomplishing something, you will try your best to do it. As a result, your will power is tested. Being able to stay self-motivated and focused on what is important rather than "throwing in the towel" allows you to succeed in the end. Will power, mental stability, and the desire to succeed are all the result of self-motivation.
Another factor that drives self-motivation is the family unit. Family can self-motivate an individual to be successful. An individual – especially a working spouse – will crave the family's pride and approval. The working spouse self-motivates himself or herself simply by worrying whether or not the family is taken care of financially. The working spouse will most likely want to earn a high paycheck, and in the end provide for the family. Children often idolize their parents and will mimic what they see their parents doing. In the end self-motivation is passed on from one generation to the next, as it is an important role in family affairs.
Lastly, self-motivation is driven by daily goals and basic daily routines such as losing weight or learning how to play a sport. The simple daily pleasure of waking up to see the sun shine, to hear the birds singing, or even listening to the rain are all pleasures which can self-motivate a person to get up in the morning.
Copied from http://www.articlesbase.com/motivational-articles…
July 7th, 2010 at 11:53
I am always amazed at the people that say they are to tired and dont have the time to pursue a dream. I then find out that they never miss the latest episode of a TV program.
For me exercise is what keeps me motivated to succeed. It is during exercise that I clear my mind, create new ideas, and plan my day. I watch very little TV and I require only 5 hours of sleep. This last week I was on Vacation from work (staying at home). I have been less motivated than I usually am because dont have a focus or goals to drive me to get something done.
July 7th, 2010 at 12:11
Goog points Julia. Wish, like you, that I only needed 5 hours of sleep. Exercise is amazing when it comes to motivation isn't it.
July 7th, 2010 at 17:31
I do everything you recommend. I exercise daily. I get enough sleep. I eat healthfully and I take time for myself. I have a ton of ideas written down in a little notebook that I take with me everywhere – and there they stay – because I don't have the time to implement them. My energy is great though!
July 7th, 2010 at 17:36
No wonder we both have so much energy Heather!
July 7th, 2010 at 17:38
Thanks for posting someone else's thoughts, Jay! You really made me laugh with this one..:).
July 8th, 2010 at 02:29
I guess it's a bit ironic that I lack ENERGY to comment on an article about ENERGY…can we call it "efficient use of a limited resource", namely ENERGY
.
July 8th, 2010 at 10:26
Smart!:)
July 8th, 2010 at 19:13
Thanks for the great ass kicking! I am doing most of these things and working on the rest. I love your direct way of speaking and that you don't hold back.
July 9th, 2010 at 18:20
The greatest medicine of all is to teach others how not to need it!
This is in our human nature – we fully appreciate health only after we lose it.
My small contribution to your important initiative:
"Cancer is not a fatality, it’s… a personal choice." on my blog http://blog.studiometamorphoses.com/
July 10th, 2010 at 08:40
Agree with you Caroline! Pity medical science hasn't proved it yet. When they do, people will be much healthier.
July 10th, 2010 at 08:40
Thanks Chris. Seems we both do what's needed to have massive amounts of energy.
July 11th, 2010 at 16:43
Lifestyle is a personal choice for the most part. You have presented a healthy lifestyle model which would result in a more enjoyable and satisfying life. Kudos to you for this effort. Great post!
July 25th, 2010 at 13:46
When you get angry your IQ drops 20 points. — Douglas Baskins
January 26th, 2012 at 19:10
I take naps. And Megadose of B-12
January 27th, 2012 at 11:40
Good Michael. Hope it works for you.
January 27th, 2012 at 17:09
What a great post.
It doesn't take much, really, to change someone's day, or to change someone's life.
When I was beginning to think that there was no light at the end of the tunnel, you set me up with an rss feed. (Something I scarcely thought of, or looked at and dismissed), exchanged Twitter follows, gave me positive feedback.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Slim
My recent post Too Greek to Fail
January 27th, 2012 at 17:18
Glad you like it and it had a positive affect on you Slim.
January 28th, 2012 at 02:01
Well, this is a post that I can definitely relate to Catarina. You are so right about the importance of having energy. What we eat, how much we exercise and how much we sleep has such an impact on our daily life. The other thing that I find vital to having energy is to drink enough water. Staying hydrated is also important to our health. Nice refreshing post!
My recent post What is Your Twitter Strategy for Following Someone?
January 28th, 2012 at 11:41
Good point about drinking enough water Sherryl. Had to drink 3-4 liters of water a day in Riyadh.
January 28th, 2012 at 16:31
Great post especially for the first month of the new year to get focus throughout life. Will share it!
January 28th, 2012 at 17:41
Glad you like it Renel.