Catarina's World

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)

Have you thought about the fact that the quality of the content you post on social media is branding you? You actually need to be a bit like a skilled politician and convey your thoughts and ideas in ways that have an impact.

Maybe it’s time to decide what you are trying to achieve on Linkedin and other social media networks? How are you going to influence others if you don't have a strategy?

What do you want out of social media?

Maybe it’s time to look at what you are trying to achieve on Linkedin and other social media networks? If not, the likelihood of anything beneficial happening is slim. How are you going to influence others in order to achieve your goals if you don’t know what they are?

And influence that’s what social media is all about. If nothing else influence to create a good impression of yourself and your company.

The originality syndrome

Google recently changed their Algorithm so that it rewards originality. Am really pleased about that since I have always refused to write for search engines. It ruins your writing to constantly have to think about using the right key words and writing a headline the search engines would love.

Originality is also what counts on social media networks if you would like to have influence. Business professionals are changing how they cooperate because of online communities. And they want to be associate with people with a mind of their own. And that doesn’t mean people who criticize for the sake of criticising. Or complicate an issue so much it’s difficult to understand what they are trying to say.

Thought leadership is the name of the game

Are you up to thought leadership i.e. ideas that merit attention? Because that’s needed if you would like to be recognized as a thought leader. Needless to say that signifies that you know what you are doing, say, on Linkedin and what the people you are trying to influence are interested in getting from you.

Are you in the driving seat?

An abundance of information is coming at us online. And your ability to act and get others to act is critical in this new economy. Nor least since professional networks facilitate interactions by enabling us to cooperate no matter where in the world we are. That’s the currency on social media.

Do you have influence?

How many people request to connect with you on say, Linkedin on a weekly basis? Do people interact with you in discussions you start? Are your posts being syndicated? Do people share your posts with their networks? Are you getting positive feedback from other members of social media networks? Are you being criticized? The latter you unfortunately can’t avoid unless what you have to say is of no relevance whatsoever.

There are many ways of determining how much influence you have. However, unless you honestly look at those issues you will just be drifting along and not contribute the quality that makes you a thought leader. Maybe your actions are even branding you the wrong way?

Search engines record everything and forget nothing

Do you realize that more and more companies are beginning to use new software that show exactly what a person has been doing on social media? So people leaving nasty comments or parroting should be careful. Search engines record everything and forget nothing. Those who insult others and pretend they are someone they are not will pay a heavy price.

Do you know what you are trying to accomplish on social media? If so, what are you trying to achieve? If you are not sure, maybe it’s better to keep a low profile until you have a strategy? Then when you have made up your mind, you can start having an impact and build up the influence you want and need to reach your goals.