If tax season brings you dread every year, it’s time to get that under control. There is no reason to be stressed, worried or dreading tax time each year. It’s not good for your mental health, or physical health, either, to be stressed out. Some people who find they can not handle tax season look something similar to a nonprofit bookkeeping service for help to get them back on track so they aren’t stressed about it.

The reason you probably feel this way is that you have not taken the time to be organized throughout the year. However, with just a little bit of preparation, and a simple system through the year, you can regain control of our emotions and make tax time a cinch.

There are basic components you will need for tax season- receipts of payments (think receipts and paid invoices) and records of payments (think bank and credit card statements). If you have a system for filing and obtaining these items, you’re 90% done with tax prep.

For receipts of payments, you need a file for invoices and receipts you pay throughout the year. This system can be whatever works best for you.

Paper Files

Some people prefer keeping a physical paper trail. For physical paid invoices and receipts, you need a physical filing system that works for you. Something like an accordion-style file folder would work just fine, or a filing cabinet with folders, if you tend to have larger volumes.

How you file your receipts and invoices is up to you. There is no wrong system as long as you keep them organized and you know where to find them when you need them. Standard filing practices include categories by month, vendor name, or expense category.

Paper Recording

If you also keep paper records (rather than a software bookkeeping system) you will want a way to track your expenses so you don’t have to spend hours at tax time adding up the totals. Whatever you use, at the end of each month, just be sure you total the expenses in each category and keep that total handy, and if you run a business you could look into outsourcing your bookkeeping to a service who could help you to keep an eye on your budget through budget variance analysis, which could make doing your taxes a little easier.

You could even staple the receipts for said category to the tally paper. You will only need the receipts for an audit, but you will need your totals so you can calculate your annual expenses at tax filing.

E- files

If you have a software system for bookkeeping, the application often has a mechanism for attaching receipts directly to the payment inside of the program. (i.e. .pdf or .jpeg images can be attached to the payment for easy reference) Alternately, you can set up a filing system in files on your PC, similarly to the paper files above. Receipts and paid invoices that have been received can be saved to the file.

E-Recording

The easiest form of any type of electronic bookkeeping system is accounting software – the popular two being QuickBooks and FreshBooks. For those who can afford it, you can see an in-depth comparison of them at PieSync (see freshbooks vs quickbooks), but for those who are on a budget, this sort of software may not be feasible. You can use a basic spreadsheet in Excel or similar program to track expenses. Again, you will need just the annual totals for your tax filings, but you may want to track these monthly for easy tax tracking.

For records of payments, you will need a file (as explained above- either e files or paper files will suffice) to store your bank and credit statements, (and ideally, you should attach your reconciliations to each statement) that you will also need at tax time.

Following these easy steps, you can breeze right through tax time, stress free.

Keeping your home ready for guests can be challenging, to say the least. Depending on how cluttered or “lived-in” your home looks, you have probably played the “hide the junk game,” more times than you can count. You don’t have to play this game as often as you do or at least, not in the same way, you could get something similar to these prefab garages to help with your storage issues. For you die-hard “hide the junk” players, here are 5 ways to add storage to your home. And if they simply aren’t enough, then maybe you need to consider getting professional help – not the psychological kind, but the self-storage kind. You can learn more here, and begin your de-cluttering journey today!

1. Stair Storage:

This area is often overlooked. If you don’t already have a closet under the stairs, create one. Store tools for quick cleanup there. For more storage, use the actual stairs themselves. Turn each step into a drawer, either inside the closet, or outside. If the drawers are accessible from outside the closet, make sure they are always closed tightly. You may want to use a magnetic closure to ensure that the drawers close.

2. Top Shelf Storage:

Create ceiling shelves, high shelving, inside your closets to provide additional storage for things you want to keep out of sight or to hold seasonal items. Ceiling shelves added around the perimeter of the room provide you a wonderful storage or display area for your collectables, old books, and other items that you prefer people didn’t touch.

3. Furniture Storage:

Ottomans that open up are a great place for storing things like blankets, toys, or clutter. Coffee table storage areas are wonderful. Just add drawers and/or shelves underneath the tabletop. This is a nice place to store magazines and books. You can also use this storage area to quickly baby-proof or pet-proof a room. These multi-function storage spaces are great ideas for keeping things safe, neat, and organized.

4. Corner Storage:

Corners are often considered dead space, meaning that very little will fit in the area. However, they can provide excellent storage areas, with a little imagination. Because corners meet at a right angle, this means that any square table or shelving, preferably wooden, will fit nicely, at least on 2 sides.

If you don’t want a corner sticking out into the room, you may want to modify the square item. For example, you can cut a square tabletop in half (diagonally, making a triangle) to get a flat edge that can face outward or simply round off that corner. Keep in mind that if you cut the tabletop into a triangle, you may also need an additional table leg for support. You can get a lot of storage area out of one tiny little corner, especially if the storage area goes from floor to ceiling.

5. Bed Storage:

Mother always wanted me to clean under the bed. However, this is a great storage area. Loft and bunk beds almost instantly provide a great work and/or storage area. For standard beds, you can create a frame for drawers that will slip easily under the bed. If closet space is minimal, or the bedroom is small, adding drawers and/or shelves under the bed is a super way to add more storage space.

Are you tired of playing the “hide the junk” game when someone drops by unexpectedly? Maybe you should check out some storage sheds for sale so you don’t have to have a messy house? Give the things you hide regularly a new hidden home in the room where you use them the most. Use these 5 ways to add storage to your home as inspiration.

This post may contain affiliate links that provides this blog with a small commission if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

The Science of Motivation

When it comes to success, there is one key component that may be more important than even such factors as talent, intelligence, money or connections. That elusive piece of the puzzle is motivation. After all, without motivation, nothing can be accomplished. You won’t reach your goals or meet your self-imposed deadlines without the motivation to take action toward them.

Unfortunately, that motivation is often what is lacking in the fulfillment of desires. We all have lists of things we hope to accomplish. These lists contain big goals, daily tasks and everything in between. Learning how to increase your motivation will boost the likelihood of checking more items off your list. Let’s take a look at the science of motivation and the ways to harness it to your advantage.

An Improved Approach to Motivation

Author Dan Pink writes in his best-selling book, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, that the there are three components of motivation that compel individuals to get things done. His premise is that the traditional method of motivating ourselves and others using a carrots and sticks type of reward system is ineffective.

Instead, he argues that the scientific approach to understanding the makeup of motivation provides a far better lens from which to view the subject. By understanding the factors that tangibly affect motivation, we can then develop strategies to increase it.

Three Elements of Motivation

The three elements of motivation Pink discusses in his book are autonomy, value and competence. It is these components, according to researchers, that drive people to become motivated. Autonomy refers to the amount of control or independence one feels over a task or action. It has been shown that when you feel that you have a significant amount of input regarding that task, you are more likely to follow through to completion.

The second component of motivation, value, is the amount of personal significance or importance you place on a matter. In essence, if something matters to you on a personal level, you will feel more motivation to take it on than if you are simply given an assignment to which you feel no connection. Competence has been found to come from an individual’s feeling of mastery as it relates to practice and hard work, not necessarily to one’s natural abilities. If you spend time developing competence toward a particular goal, it is predicted that you will be more motivated to complete said goal.

Strategies to Increase Motivation

Now that you have an understanding of what matters most with regard to what motivates us, it’s time to consider some strategies to increase motivation. Using the concept of autonomy as a guide, let’s consider ways to add a sense of control or involvement into activities that need to be completed.

One way to do this is to take ownership of a chore or add some aspect of self-direction to it. If you are having difficulty starting a project such as submitting a paper for review, it may help to think of all the ways doing so will set you apart as an expert in your field. In doing so, you’ll see that turning in the paper is a necessary component to sharing your unique views with your colleagues.

To add value to your task, you want to make it meaningful or personal. Find a way to add purpose to that item on your to-do list. This involves changing your perspective or the way you look at that item. Completing your taxes is a dreaded chore for most of us, but you can add purpose to it by focusing on the work you’ve done that comprises the numbers on the page or the contribution you’ve made to your job and community through your efforts. Paying taxes is a symbol of good citizenry.

Finally, there’s competence. Feeling mastery over an act requires practice. Try to look at the job at hand as one in which you are working toward an end goal of skillfulness. For instance, you’ll soon see the treadmill as less of an adversary the more workout sessions you endure. So, along with the ultimate goal of getting fit, you’ll soon see each session become easier, leading to a feeling of accomplishment.

Motivation is not always easy to come by. However, with this knowledge of the science behind it, you can now pursue the steps required to achieve your dreams more effectively. Soon you’ll be mastering your goals, which will fuel your motivation toward future endeavors.

Best Ways to Improve Your Motivation Fast

Sometimes you need to get started on a project right away. Maybe you’ve been procrastinating for days, or even weeks, and now you’re down to the wire on an unforgiving deadline. The threat of not completing the job on time should be enough to motivate you to get moving, right? Wrong.

Often, even knowing the consequences that exist for not completing a task aren’t enough to push us forward. Fortunately, there are some tangible steps you can take in order to give yourself a boost when your usual routine isn’t working. Keep reading for some of the best ways to improve your motivation fast. Adding even a few of these to your bag of tricks may help you to overcome that slump when you need a motivational jumpstart.

Look Ahead

One way to convince your brain that an activity is worth starting is to look ahead to the end result. Think about the money you’ll make a from a freelance gig, the feeling of satisfaction you’ll get from handing in your portion of the monthly report to a nagging co-worker or the freedom to begin your two-week semester break when your last paper is submitted.

No matter what the project, visualizing the result of your efforts can improve your focus and motivation. Consider adding an actual visual such as a photo, magazine clipping or other image to motivate you.

Get Moving

If you’re feeling sleepy or even restless, you won’t be able to focus on that pressing task. A solution can be to move your body. Exercise has been shown to increase mental clarity and decrease stress, just the combination for working on a complex project with a looming deadline.

Taking a brisk walk or heading to the gym for a quick step aerobics class on your lunch hour can be just enough of a jolt to get you in prime thinking mode. Be careful not to overdo it or you’ll be too exhausted to do much of anything.

Take a Rest

It’s also possible that a quick rest can restore your clear thinking. If your brain is feeling cloudy or your thoughts are cloudy, a short nap might be a better course of action than exercise.

Put your head down on your desk or stretch out on the sofa in your office for 10 or 20 minutes. When you wake up from this power nap, you should be feeling rejuvenated and ready to work.

Listen to Music

Upbeat tunes might be a solution that leads you to start tapping your toes and feeling more alert. If you are able to work with background noise, you can keep the music going.

Perhaps changing to a mellower playlist or instrumental songs might be a better option for you than fast beats. If you require silence in order to concentrate, put on just a few of your favorites to shift your mood, and then get to work.

Start Small

A method that is often successful in tricking the mind to move on a task is to start with a small portion of the whole. Using the above example of the monthly report, you might wish to begin by gathering your data and other supplies necessary for completing the job.

This small action can put you in the right mindset to keep working on the rest. Getting started truly is half the battle.

These suggestions can, and should, be tailored to fit your personality, preferences and lifestyle. Experiment a bit. Use the ones that work for you, and throw out the rest. You’ll likely be surprised by the significant effect a simple action can have on your productivity.

Goal Setting for Motivational Success

There is a strong connection between setting goals and maintaining the motivation required to successfully attain them. In fact, in the 1960’s, behavioral research led to an understanding of the relation between these concepts, and theories were developed to shed insight on the concrete ways one influences the other.

Let’s take a look at the basis of these theories and then at some of the reasons to utilize goal setting for motivational success.

Theories of Goal Setting and Motivation

The first researcher to study the relationship between goal setting and motivation was Dr. Edwin Locke. He published his findings in 1968l. Locke’s Goal Setting Theory concluded that specific goals provided more motivation than vague ones.

Along these lines, goals that provided a challenge were shown to be better motivators than easier ones. In addition, Locke discovered that positive feedback was highly influential toward increasing motivation. Essentially, the very act of creating a goal leads to better performance.

Decades later, in 1990, Locke paired up with Dr. Gary Latham to develop the Goal Setting and Motivation Theory, whose main premise is that five fundamental principles influence effective goals setting and that goal achievement is more likely when higher numbers of these principles are in place. The five fundamental principles of the theory are:

• Clarity
• Challenge
• Complexity
• Commitment
• Feedback

In essence, your goals should be clear and provide you with enough of a challenge to entice you to reach them. However, it’s important that these goals not be so complex as to cause frustration or overwhelm; this would be counterproductive.

Goals that inspire motivation also should include an aspect of formally committing to them and have a check-in method in place to determine satisfactory progression.

Provide Reference

By developing objectives through the framework of goal setting theories, you are providing yourself with a tangible reference point to keep you on track. Thus, your motivation is likely to endure. You are able to look at the points you’ve written down in order to remind yourself of your purpose and to validate that you are moving in the right direction.

Add Manageability

Proper structure of your goals can also make your overall plan seem more attainable. By assuring that your goals are challenging, you’ll keep your brain stimulated.

Breaking things down into short-term and long-term targets, along with similar strategies, can help you to avoid becoming overwhelmed by one big goal that is simply too complex to be achieved. Motivation is better sustained when you feel some agency over your goals.

Instill Accountability

By adding a check-in mechanism of some sort, you will be instilling a sense of accountability to your goals. It’s easy to toss a goal aside when you don’t really have to answer to anyone, or even yourself, with regard to progress.

Find an accountability partner to share accomplishments with or build assessment dates into your calendar in which you self-check your progress.

Increase Confidence

Challenging, yet realistic, goals that allow for the monitoring of progress can do a lot for your sense of mastery. Seeing your goal becoming closer to reality through hard work and skill is empowering.

Hearing praise from your network is also motivating toward fulfilling an objective. Confidence is increased through all of these things.

Improve Life Quality

Essentially, having well-developed goals can lead to a more fulfilling life. By taking the time to proactively define what you want and working toward that desire, you are living with purpose.

Those who know what they want and feel they are on track to achieve it are generally more motivated and satisfied individuals.

As you can see, there is a strong relationship between goals and motivation. In order to sustain motivation, you must not only set goals, but your goals need to have structure.

Following these guidelines can increase both your motivation and your chances of reaching your intentions.

Increase Your Motivation Even When Anxious or Depressed

Motivation is an elusive concept for many people. Despite having big dreams or desiring to accomplish a particular goal, taking the steps necessary to reach the end objective can seem impossible. Sometimes just completing the bare minimum feels like all you can do.

Forget the idea of accomplishing anything greater. This is especially true if you suffer from anxiety or depression. These mental health conditions zap the energy, happiness and sheer will from from your core. You may find yourself unable to accomplish even the basics of day to day living, let alone going above and beyond.

If you have been diagnosed with these issues, or feel that you may be dealing with them, the most important aspect of overcoming their toxic effects is to seek help. Therapy and medication have shown to be effective in treating anxiety and depression, so it’s definitely worth looking into the xanax price to get you started. However, even these powerful components may not be enough to move you toward your goals.

However, there are some strategies you can take to increase your motivation even when anxious or depressed. Continue reading for some tangible ways to help you move past survival mode.

Do It for Someone Else

While personal goals generally need to come from within in order to be meaningful, anxiety and depression can make generating any kind of internal feeling beyond despair difficult. Intrinsic motivation, or the kind that comes from inside you, simply may not be something you can muster right now. One way to “trick” yourself into becoming motivated is to think of ways your goal may benefit others.

For example, if you’re having trouble just getting out of bed, it may help to think of those who depend on you for their care. Whether it’s a child or even a pet, the desire to complete the basic necessities for those you love may be enough motivation for now. This approach can be applied other aspects of your life also. While it shouldn’t be a long-term solution, it can sometimes be enough to get you moving and lead to fueling further motivation.

Outsource Dreaded Tasks

Deferring your most-dreaded tasks onto someone else may be especially effective for those dealing with anxiety. Many anxiety sufferers fear talking on the phone. If possible, request that a significant other or friend make important phone calls on your behalf. You don’t have to put yourself through unnecessary stress in every situation.

Some things can be outsourced in order to make everything else more manageable. If finances allow, you can pay professionals to bear certain loads for you. Otherwise, some creativity may be in order. The relief you’ll experience is worth the initial expenditure of energy required to generate creative outsourcing solutions.

Do the Fun Stuff First

Many life coaches or other experts will recommend that you tackle the tough or boring items on your list first in order to get them out of the way. The theory is that you’ll feel more accomplished, and finishing the rest of your project or goal will be easier. When you have depression or anxiety, this approach is unrealistic.

Depending on the severity of your condition, simply making any forward movement on a task is asking a lot of you. Therefore, turn the advice upside down and start with the easiest part first. Another way to look at things is to do the absolute bare minimum or smallest part first. Once you’ve summoned the motivation to just get started in some way, continuing on will be a more likely prospect.

Be Gentle With Yourself

If you were helping a friend in your situation, you’d likely have all the compassion in the world for them. You’d probably offer words of encouragement for the small achievements your pal made and be there to take up some slack when they’re feeling unable. In order to foster motivation, you absolutely must show yourself this same level of compassion. Reward or praise yourself for every small accomplishment.

This can be taking a break to watch your favorite show or purchasing a simple indulgence like a bottle of perfume. Even praising yourself for your efforts can be effective. Along that same vein, be sure not to chastise yourself for perceived faults. Instead, focus on what you were able to get done or remind yourself that you are currently facing some tough obstacles and you’re doing your best. Negative self-talk is self-sabotage and kills motivation.

Incorporating these steps into your daily routine can significantly increase your motivation, despite anxiety and depression. Your mental health issues are a challenge, but they don’t need to be the end of your dreams.

The Benefits of Meditation for Motivation

Waning motivation is a problem for many of us. The stress and strain of a busy life can overwhelm you, making even the most basic of tasks seem difficult. The downward spiral of low motivation can seem like an impossible cycle to break.

Once you lose your spark, productivity and accomplishment can seem like unattainable goals. There is one simple tool you may not have considered before that can get you back on track, and that’s meditation.

This exercise of the mind goes well beyond providing just relaxation. You can gain a host of good things through its practice. Continue reading to discover the benefits of meditation for motivation.

Strengthened Focus and Concentration

Focus and concentration are essential elements of motivation. If you can’t force your mind to center on the things you need to do, your motivation will also go out the window. Meditation is all about focus and concentration.

No matter which of its many forms you practice, chances are you will be engaging in focusing your mind in some way. Engaging in regular meditation will naturally strengthen your ability to concentrate and focus in your everyday life.

Increased Happiness

We all get down now and again. More and more individuals are being diagnosed with depression in modern times. Regardless of your mental starting point, it’s a known fact that happy people often have more energy and higher self-confidence.

Fortunately, motivation has been shown to increase happiness by stimulating the release of the brain’s “happiness hormones.” When you’re feeling more positive, you’re likely to have more internal desire to get things done.

Less Stress

Meditation leads to a more relaxed state due to the way in which it allows the brain to slow down as it receives sensory input. This relaxation and improved processing leads to reduced feelings of stress and overwhelm. With less stress comes a feeling of more control, which then fuels your motivation.

Positive Thinking

One of the biggest killers of motivation is negative thinking. A pessimistic view can come from many sources such as depression, poor habits or general life difficulties. The beauty of meditation is that it “rewires” brain patterns that naturally elicit more positive thought patterns, giving you the reset you need to be more motivated.

Clarified Goals and Purpose

Taking time each day for meditation gives you a great deal of person insight. This self-reflection can be the catalyst for reassessing what’s truly important in your life. When you have a better picture of your priorities, your goals and life’s purpose become clearer.

Knowing where you want to go kicks your motivation into high-gear, and you’ll feel a greater urgency to take the steps necessary on the path to your dreams.

The benefits of meditation for increased motivation are extensive. These are some of the main ways in which this daily mind practice can jumpstart the actions required for reaching your goals. There are many different types of meditation. You can begin to research on your own or find a skilled teacher who can help you develop a practice that works for you.

What’s most important is that you get started and maintain consistency in your meditation practice in order to see the most effective results. Soon you’ll be tackling your to-do list and pursuing the life goals that matter with renewed vigor.

Grab a cold one and pull up a chair mmkay? We need to have a little chat. Or rather, I need to give you a quick pep talk. It’s time to stop comparing yourself to others.

Perhaps you don’t even realize you’re doing it. Or maybe you do, and it just adds to the misery you feel as you continue the compare game. It’s one game that as long as you play – you will always lose.

Bottom line – it sucks, and you should stop that! There is no one else like you, and that is AWESOME! Perhaps my favorite quote that helps reel me back in to prevent me from comparing myself to others is this one:

“The world needs that special gift that only you have.” – Marie Forleo

You are different from everyone else. Celebrate that. You offer a unique perspective in this game called life. We should all be thanking you. If you are constantly comparing yourself, it means you aren’t happy with who you are. Why is that?

People are brought up to conform to society. If you don’t fit within society’s norms, you are looked upon disapprovingly. However, most people aren’t normal in the truest sense of the word. Everyone has quirks and idiosyncrasies. It’s these differences that allow us to find solutions to problems. It also keeps us from getting bored. Imagine if everyone were truly the same. There would be nothing new to discover about one another.

There are some reasons to conform. For instance, you need to follow the rules and laws of your country and community. Otherwise, you will suffer consequences for not doing so. Also, you want to treat others with respect so that they will hopefully return that respect. However, if you try to act in ways in which others believe you should, you aren’t going to live your life to the fullest.

That’s why you should get out of the habit of comparing yourself to others. When you do this, you are likely setting unrealistic expectations and will lead you to be disappointed. Comparing yourself to others will result in you resenting those people. They have their reasons for being the way they are, and it has nothing to do with you.

There are qualities you admire in others. There is nothing wrong with trying to adopt some of those admirable qualities for yourself. However, it shouldn’t get to the point where you are trying to redefine who you are to be like those people you admire. You aren’t them, and you never will be.

You have but a short time on this planet. If you spend most of that time trying to be like someone else, you are in for a rough ride. If you stick to who you are and find others willing to accept you for that, you are going to be more satisfied for most of that time you live.

Others will be happier with the real you as well. You won’t be a pretender. People see right through that kind of behavior. Just think about others who are not true to themselves. How long does it take you to see through that disguise?

So from this day forward, be true to you. Go forward owning your gifts, and being authentically you. Stop comparing yourself to others because like Steve Maraboli says:

“You have a unique gift to offer this world. Be true to yourself, be kind to yourself, read and learn about everything that interest you and keep away from people who bring you down. When you treat yourself kindly and respect the uniqueness of those around you, you will be giving this world an amazing gift…YOU!”

I love me some affirmations! Like BIG LOVE me some affirmations y’all! Sometimes you just need a good pick me up when the day feels like it’s gone to crap.

That’s why I’m sooooo excited to share this list of 365 positive affirmations with you. There is an affirmation for every day of the year. Or, if you just need to pump yourself up, read a bunch of them in one sitting.

You’ll notice these affirmations are broken down by category. If you’re struggling with something specific you need a boost in positive thinking for, scroll on down and get to reading babe!

I’m cheering you on from here. Whatever this day has brought you, I believe in you. You got this! Big virtual hugs my bloggy friends!!!

Related: Also check out 44 Positive Affirmations for Depression to Inspire Change from e-counseling.com

Confidence-Self-Esteem – Positive Affirmations

1. I grow more confident and stronger each day.
2. I am the architect of my life. I design its structure.
3. I build my life’s foundation and choose its contents.
4. I love myself and feel great about myself.
5. I accept myself unconditionally.
6. I see problems as interesting challenges.
7. I radiate confidence.
8. I thrive on challenges that bring out the best in me.
9. I have confidence in my abilities and skills.
10. I make sound decisions.
11. I am bold and courageous.
12. I face difficulty with courage.
13. I am worthy of happiness and love.
14. I am optimistic about the future.
15. The future holds all kinds of pleasant surprises.
16. I trust in my ability to create a fabulous future.
17. I let go of worries and replace them with excitement and optimism.
18. I have all it takes to make my dreams a reality.
19. I am a kind and unique person with a lot to offer.
20. I enjoy my own company as I get in touch with my true self.
21. I rejuvenate every part of my being with the help of solitude.
22. I am at peace and happy when I’m alone.
23. I brighten another person’s day by doing something with them.
24. My intuition and wisdom guide me in the right direction.
25. I have faith in myself to make the best decision possible.
26. I have confidence in my decisions.
27. I make decisions that always lead to something positive, in time.
28. I consider how my decisions affect others to make responsible choices.
29. I practice my skills each day to attain greatness.
30. I believe in my ability to overcome setbacks.
31. I replace negative criticism with encouraging statements.
32. Even my “flaws” have good and helpful aspects.
33. I always do my best because it helps me grow.
34. I feel the love of those who are not physically with me.
35. I take pleasure in my own solitude.
36. I love and approve of myself.
37. I focus on breathing to ground myself.
38. Following my intuition and my heart keeps me safe and sound.
39. I make the right choices every time.
40. I draw from my inner strength and light.
41. I trust myself to be honest with myself and others.
42. I am a unique child of this world.
43. I am an inspiration to others.
44. I matter and what I have to offer also matters.
45. I trust my inner wisdom and intuition.
46. I breathe in calmness and breathe out nervousness.
47. This situation works out for my highest good.
48. Wonderful things unfold before me.
49. I forgive myself for things I have done in the past.
50. I let go of my anger so I can see clearly.
51. I accept responsibility for the consequences of my anger.
52. I replace my anger with understanding and compassion.
53. I offer a heart-felt apology to those affected by my anger.
54. I know my wisdom guides me to the right decision.
55. I trust myself to make the best decision for me.
56. I receive all feedback with appreciation.
57. I listen lovingly to this inner conflict and reflect on it until I find peace about it.
58. I love my family even if they do not understand me completely.
59. I show my family I love them in verbal and non-verbal ways.
60. I am paired with this family because we are well matched.
61. I choose to see my family as a gift.
62. I am a better person because of my hardships and achievements.
63. I refuse to give past events power over my present or future.
64. I embrace the rhythm and the flow of my own heart.
65. All that I need comes to me at the right time and place in this life.
66. I am delighted with who I am.
67. I am much more than adequate; I’m phenomenal!
68. I give up the habit of criticizing myself.
69. I develop the mindset to praise myself.
70. I fully approve of who I am, even as I better myself.
71. I am a good person at all times of the day and night.
72. When I breath, I inhale confidence and exhale doubt.
73. I love meeting new people and approach them with confidence and interest.
74. I live in the present and am confident of the future.
75. My personality exudes confidence because I am bold and outgoing.
76. I am self-reliant, creative, and persistent in everything I do.
77. I am energetic, enthusiastic, and confidence is my second nature.
78. I am a problem-solver and always find the best solution.
79. I love change and easily adapt to new situations.
80. I am well groomed, healthy, and full of confidence.
81. My outer self matches my inner well-being.
82. I thrive on self-confidence, which chips away at all my doubts.
83. I focus only on the good in others.
84. I attract positive, confident people because I am one of them.
85. I approve of myself and love myself completely.
86. I feel good about the direction of my life and being me.
87. My inner wisdom is my best guide.
88. I have integrity, am reliable, and true to my word.
89. I act from a place of personal security.
90. I accept that I am worthy of great things in life.
91. I choose to be proud of myself.
92. I find deep inner peace within myself.
93. I fill my mind with positive, nourishing thoughts.
94. My confidence, self-esteem, and inner wisdom increase each day.
95. I choose not to compare myself to others because we are all different.
96. I compare myself only to my highest self.
97. My life, experiences, beliefs, and actions inspire and benefit others.
98. I am happy in my own skin and in my own circumstances.
99. I see myself as a gift to people in my community and nation.
100. I am safe and sound. All is well.
101. Everything works out for my highest good.
102. There is an important reason that this is unfolding now.
103. I have the intelligence and the ability to get through this.
104. I can solve my problems through my diligence.
105. I follow my dreams no matter what.
106. I am patient when helping loved ones understand my dreams.
107. I ask my loved ones to support my efforts.
108. I answer questions about my goals without getting defensive.
109. I am loved even when people don’t share my dreams.
110. I accept everyone as they are and continue to pursue my dreams.

Related: Turn Your Dreams Into Workable Plans

Relationships and Love – Positive Affirmations

111. My partner is coming into my life sooner than I expect.
112. My heart is always open.
113. I am surrounded by love.
114. I love unconditionally and without hesitation.
115. I am loved and appreciated by those around me.
116. Love and appreciation follow me everywhere I go.
117. Love, forgiveness, and understanding are the foundation of my relationships.
118. I give and receive love in equal measures.
119. I accept my partner unconditionally.
120. I am treasured for who I really am.
121. My relationship is becoming stronger, deeper, and more loving.
122. My friendships are meaningful, supportive, and rewarding.
123. My friends love me for who I am.
124. I have long-lasting friendships because I accept others, unconditionally.
125. I attract positive people, who become life-long friends.
126. I surround myself with friends who care about me and treat me well.
127. I can tell the difference between fair-weather friends and true friends.
128. I surround myself with people who treat me well.
129. I take the time to show my friends that I care about them.
130. My friends do not judge me.
131. I take great pleasure in my friends and our differences.
132. I feel relaxed and comfortable around other people.
133. I enjoy meeting new people and initiate conversations.
134. I am outgoing and enrich other people’s lives.
135. I’m excited about the amazing people I meet today.
136. I’m easy to talk to and make others feel at ease.
137. I take comfort in the fact that I can always leave a situation.
138. I am amazed by the creativity of the people I meet.
139. The company of strangers teaches me more about myself.
140. I radiate love and others reflect love back to me.
141. I am loving and lovable.
142. My romantic relationship is healthy, long lasting, and full of love.
143. My partner is kind, compassionate, and understanding.
144. My marriage grows stronger, deeper, and more stable each day.
145. I am with my soulmate and we share a life full of love.
146. Life is full of love and I find it everywhere I go.
147. My relationship is divine and we are perfectly matched.
148. My partner and I have a deep understanding.
149. Forgiveness and compassion are the foundation of my romantic relationship.
150. It is easy for me to look in the mirror and say, “I love you.”
151. My words are always kind and loving.
152. I receive kindness and love multiple times a day.
153. Every day of my life is filled with love.
154. My communication with my partner is loving and kind.
155. Everything about me is lovable and worthy of love.
156. I am a loving, kind person who deserves true love.
157. I wake up every morning filled with joy.
158. I face each day with the support and love of my partner.
159. All of my relationships are based on mutual love and compassion.
160. My partner and I share a deep and powerful love.
161. I respect and admire my partner and see the best in him/her.
162. I love my partner exactly how he/she is and enjoy his/her unique qualities.
163. My partner and I share emotional intimacy via talk and touch.
164. I have healthy boundaries with my partner.
165. My partner and I have fun together.
166. My partner and I find new ways to enjoy time together.
167. My partner and I resolve conflict peacefully and respectfully.
168. I am able to be completely authentic in my love relationship.
169. I communicate my desires and needs clearly and confidently with my partner.
170. I want the best for my partner and support him/her.

Related: I HIGHLY recommend the book “Heal Your Life” (aff link)

Prosperity and Abundance – Positive Affirmations

171. I am surrounded by abundance.
172. I attract money effortlessly and easily.
173. I continuously discover new avenues of income.
174. I am open to all the wealth life has to offer.
175. I use money to better other people’s lives.
176. I attract lucrative opportunities to create money.
177. I see abundance everywhere.
178. I am more and more prosperous every day.
179. My life is full of prosperity.
180. I deserve abundance and prosperity.
181. I am a money magnet, attracting wealth and abundance.
182. I instantly manifest my desires.
183. I manage my money wisely.
184. I’m eager and willing to share abundant gifts and blessings.
185. I am sometimes meant to deliver a gift/blessing rather than keep it.
186. I always have whatever I need.
187. I am destined to find prosperity in everything I do.
188. I am thankful for the abundance I have in my life.
189. My gratitude and appreciation attracts abundance of every kind.
190. I maintain my wealth so I can help others.
191. I enjoy my prosperity, and share it freely with the world.
192. I am responsible for being a good steward of the abundance and wealth provided.
193. I rejoice for others who are prosperous and share the abundance.
194. I pay bills before they are due to share the wealth with the company’s employees.
195. Today is the future I created yesterday. Tomorrow will be even better!

Health – Positive Affirmations

196. I am healthy, energetic, and optimistic.
197. Every day I get healthier and more fit.
198. I care for my body by eating a healthy, well-balanced diet.
199. I exercise regularly to strengthen my body.
200. My body vibrates with energy and health.
201. I am completely pain free and my body is energized.
202. I nourish my body with healthy foods.
203. My body systems function perfectly.
204. My body is healing, and I feel better every day.
205. I enjoy exercising and strengthening my muscles.
206. I release stress in my body with every exhaled breath.
207. I send love and healing to every organ of my body.
208. I breathe deeply, exercise regularly, and feed my body nutritious food.
209. I pay attention to what my body needs for health and vitality.
210. I sleep soundly and peacefully.
211. I am surrounded by people who encourage and support healthy choices.
212. My immune system is strong and deals with any bacteria, germs, or viruses.
213. My body, mind, and soul work together efficiently to keep me healthy.
214. I love everything about my body.
215. I appreciate my body’s unique traits.
216. I am thankful for the shape of my body.
217. My body is beautiful and appealing.
218. I stay up to date about my health issues.
219. I take care of my body and exercise every day.
220. My body is healthy and full of energy.
221. I am very grateful I am at this weight.
222. I crave healthy, nutritious foods.
223. I love the taste of fruits and vegetables.
224. I appreciate every cell in my body.
225. People find me sexy and desirable.
226. I am filled with excitement when I look in the mirror.
227. I am grateful for my life force and energy.
228. Everything I think, say, and do makes me healthier.
229. I crave new, healthy experiences.

Work and Career – Positive Affirmations

230. My job adds satisfaction and fulfillment to my life.
231. My career provides me the right opportunities to grow.
232. I am valued and appreciated at my workplace.
233. I perform my duties with the greatest diligence and attention.
234. My work has a profound impact on this world.
235. I enjoy and find my work fulfilling.
236. I play a big role in my own career success.
237. I engage in work that inspires others in my profession.
238. I believe in my ability to change the world with the work that I do.
239. My work/business makes a profound difference in this world.
240. I am building a successful business.
241. I create value with my services.
242. My business is a gift to this world.
243. I am better businessman/businesswoman because of my mistakes.
244. I further my career with every action I take.
245. I have my dream job.
246. I love every day that I work.
247. My career brings me closer to my family.
248. My job brings me financial abundance.
249. My coworkers love being around me.
250. My boss values the work I do.
251. I am a valued employee.
252. My clients appreciate and value my work.
253. I attract new clients every day.
254. My positive attitude, confidence, and good work attract new opportunities.
255. I am enthusiastic and excited about my work.
256. My enthusiasm about my job is contagious.
257. My workplace is peaceful and full of praise.
258. I speak positively about my coworkers.
259. My coworkers speaking positively about me.
260. I am rewarded for doing my best.

Motivation-Encouragement- Positive Affirmations

261. Every choice I make leads to bigger and better opportunities.
262. I find something positive about every situation.
263. I find optimistic ways of dealing with difficulties.
264. I find ways to praise others and offer helpful suggestions.
265. I find the best solutions to problems by listening and learning from others.
266. I gain valuable insights from today’s experiences.
267. Today, I make a commitment to give others what I want to receive.
268. I use strategies that motivate me to move forward.
269. I look at things from multiple perspectives to see the big picture.
270. I choose to participate fully in my day.
271. I take a mini-break from the problem to let my subconscious find the answer.
272. I seek a new way of thinking about this situation.
273. My answer is before me, as I look carefully at the details.
274. I believe in my ability to find and navigate the path that’s right for me.
275. I release my need to have the approval of others.
276. I gain joy, fulfillment, and happiness from this day.
277. I have all it takes to make this day productive.
278. I face difficulties with courage and determination.
279. I am excited to see today’s blessings revealed.
280. New and exciting opportunities manifest in my life continually.
281. I always find ways to get back on track.
282. I choose to free myself from all negativity that hampers my progress.
283. I am in control of my life.
284. I believe in my ability to gain valuable insights from this situation.
285. I have faith in my ability to pursue my dreams no matter what.
286. My family and friends support me, even if they don’t share my dreams.
287. I help others to accomplish their dreams.
288. I have compassion when others don’t understand my dreams.
289. I have all the support and help I need.
290. I am successful in whatever I do.
291. I can become successful in life using lessons from mistakes.
292. I am successful because I leave no stone unturned.
293. I attract success.
294. I pursue success that is personalized specifically for me.
295. I know what motivates me best and use it to my advantage.
296. I remind myself why I want to achieve my goal, so I don’t give up.
297. I press on because I believe my path will prepare me for success.
298. It is always too early to give up on my goals.

Peace and Happiness – Positive Affirmations

299. My most important goal is to be at peace, regardless of the situation.
300. I make a conscious choice to be happy.
301. My body is relaxed. My mind is calm. My soul is at peace.
302. I feel joy and contentment in this moment.
303. I awaken feeling happy and enthusiastic about life.
304. I can tap into a wellspring of inner happiness anytime I wish.
305. I inspire myself and others to be happy by modeling how to do it.
306. I have fun in all of my endeavors, even the most mundane.
307. I look at the world around me and can’t help but smile and feel joy.
308. I find joy and pleasure in the simple things of life.
309. I have an active sense of humor and love to laugh with others.
310. My heart is overflowing with joy.
311. I am brimming with energy that lifts my spirits throughout the day.
312. I rest peacefully and soundly, knowing all is well in my world.
313. I focus on the details of the present moment.
314. I am focused and engaged in the current task.
315. I am grateful for this moment, which enriches my life.
316. I observe my thoughts and actions without judging them.
317. I participate fully in all of my relationships.
318. I make even everyday events memorable, happy occasions.
319. I accept and embrace all experiences, even unpleasant ones.
320. I observe my emotions without getting attached to them.
321. I meditate easily without resistance or anxiety.
322. I release the past and live fully in the present moment.
323. I stay calm in frustrating situations.
324. I forgive myself and others.
325. I am at peace with my past, present, and future.
326. Compassion and understanding help me to overcome anger and gain peace.
327. My intuition and inner wisdom guide me in every situation
328. I inhale deeply and let peace and happiness fill my mind and body.
329. I am responsible for my own happiness, so I’ve got this covered.
330. I feel wonderfully peaceful and relaxed.
331. I let go of everything that worries me to make room for peace and happiness.
332. My mind is at peace and all tension has left my body.
333. I am able to fall into a deep and relaxing sleep.
334. I am so relaxed I am ready to fall asleep.
335. I breathe deeply and close my eyes to find that peaceful sleep is only a few blinks away.
336. I release my mind of thought until the morning.
337. I embrace the peace and quiet of the night.
338. I sleep soundly, deeply, and beautifully into this night.
339. I let go of worries that drain my energy.
340. I make smart, calculated plans for my future.
341. I am in complete charge of planning for my future.
342. I trust in my ability to provide for my family and their happiness.
343. I feel calmness and confidence wash over me with every deep breath I take.
344. Every day I am more peaceful and happy than the day before.
345. My calm and relaxed state energizes my whole being.
346. All the muscles in my body relax.
347. All negativity and stress evaporate from my body and my mind.
348. I breath in relaxation and breath out stress.
349. I remain calm and centered, even when there is chaos around me.
350. I have a calm inner peace that fills my mind and body.
351. I rise above stress of any kind and live in peace.
352. I am calm, happy, content, and at peace.
353. My world is a peaceful, loving, and joy-filled place to live.
354. I sow the seeds of peace wherever I go.
355. I do my best to model ways to maintain a peaceful, happy life.
356. I surround myself with peaceful people.
357. My work environment is calm and peaceful.
358. My home is a peaceful sanctuary where I feel safe and happy.
359. In all that I say and do, I choose peace.
360. I release past anger and hurts, replacing it with serenity and peaceful thoughts.
361. I envision peace descending around me like a protective cloak.
362. I project peaceful thoughts and feelings into the world and beyond.
363. I respond peacefully in all situations.
364. I forgive those who harmed me and peacefully detach from them.
365. I choose to be happy, regardless of what the world or others want.

Happy New Year! If you’re like me, you likely created a bunch of goals that you’d like to accomplish this year. But, are you setting goals in a way that you can actually achieve them? Or are you setting yourself up for failure? Read on to learn how to set powerful goals you can achieve!

In order to set powerful goals that are achievable, take some time to research the dreams you have to find out if they’re even doable. You do want to challenge yourself some, but you don’t want to make the goals so hard that you experience only defeat. To ensure maximum success, make sure that your goals meet the following criteria:

Your Goals Should Match Your Core Values

The more any goal fits into one of the four main areas of life – Family, Financial, Physical or Personal – the more likely you are to be able to set a realistic goal that you can achieve. If a goal for some reason doesn’t fit into one of your core values, it’s not likely you’ll experience much success.

You Must Be 100 Percent in Control

While goals that rely on others aren’t wrong, they are harder to achieve. Any goal that you control 100 percent is a goal that you can reach. Do ensure that you’re not letting fear get in your way or blaming fate for your failures, though. Self-limiting beliefs can get in your way on this one. Be realistic about whether you do have control or not and give yourself more credit. For example if you think you do not have control over your financial future because “that’s just how it is,” you are mistaken and need to eliminate this line of thinking.

Related: How You Can Turn a Dream Into a Workable Plan

You Must Be Able to Envision the Goal

If you can’t see the end result, it will be very difficult to move forward toward achieving the goal. If you need to draw a picture, make a vision board, or take a day out to fantasize about your big dreams and see how they all fit together in the big picture of your life, do so. You need to see the end to be able to truly achieve it.

Your Goals Should Be Spelled Out Specifically

Every goal you make needs to be very specific in nature. If you really want to be sure to reach the goal, you have to know when you reached it. Instead of saying “I want to start a business,” state exactly what type of business you want to start, who you want to be your clients, and other information that makes the goal more concrete.

Your Goals Need To Be Measurable

At which point have you achieved the goal? If you can’t give a number or something that is measureable, then you won’t have a real goal. If you want to use the business example, you might include that you want to earn x amount of dollars each week by a certain date and then how and why you are going to do it.

Each Goal Should Be Actionable

To achieve any goal there has to be steps that you can take to get there. Like using a map to reach a destination that you want to go to on vacation, you need to draw a map to your vision of success with the steps and paths you’ll take along the way. Put not only what but when, and how you’ll accomplish the step.

Related: 4 Productivity Tips Savvy Entrepreneur Swear By For Making the Most of Your Time 

Sorry Not Sorry – Your Goals MUST Be Realistic

You don’t want to write a goal that is too hard to achieve or worse, impossible. Be sure that it’s scientifically possible to do it by researching everything realistically. For example, you’re not likely going to start a business today and earn six figures by tomorrow or even the first year in business. Look at the research and determine what is doable and how you’ll do it.

Your Goals Need To Be Timely

Every goal has to have a time limit otherwise you may never achieve it. Start with the end and work your way back to today, creating the list of things to do each day to finally reach the end result. But, do set a time limit. You can adjust as you get into the project if it works to be more realistic, but resist the urge to change the time because you’re not sticking to your task lists.

If you use this method to create powerful goals that you can achieve, you will not experience a lot of failure because you can always adjust your time line and your goals as you learn more. The important thing is to give each goal a lot of thought, consideration and study before setting it.

We all know about certain benefits of exercising – above all, that it’s good for us. But this isn’t always enough to get us motivated into actually doing it. If you’re looking for a little inspiration to get started on your new year’s resolution then here are 10 reasons why exercise can improve your life.

1) More Energy:

Although exercise in itself may be tiring, one of the major benefits of exercising is the fact that it’ll ultimately leave you feeling more energized. Studies have shown that regular exercise helps to reduce fatigue.

2) Increase Your Mood:

Every time you exercise your body will release endorphins that help to make you feel good. Exercise really will give you a natural high!

3) Improve Your Health:

There are so many health benefits of losing weight that it’s impossible to list them all here! By getting fit you’ll reduce the risk of diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and much more.

Related: 7 Uses for Coconut Oil

4) Improve Your Appearance:

If being overweight or not being toned leaves you feeling unhappy about yourself then losing weight can help you to look and feel better.

5) Play With Your Kids:

It takes a lot of energy to keep up with your kids. By losing weight and getting fit, you’ll be able to run around with them without constantly getting out of breath. This can be one of the most rewarding benefits of exercising: it helps you to enjoy life more.

6) Sleep Better:

When you exercise more you’ll start to find it easier to get a good night’s rest. This adds to the energy boost that you’ll get from exercise in the long term.

7) Increase Your Strength and Stamina:

Do you find it hard to go on long walks, even though you want to? Or maybe even carrying shopping bags up the stairs is a struggle? Exercise more and you’ll eventually be able to handle these activities with ease.

8) Reduce Stress:

Exercise can hugely reduce stress levels. If you regularly suffer from stress – or even mental heath issues such as depression and anxiety – regular exercise can help to reduce your symptoms.

Related: Stop Burning the Candle at Both Ends

9) A Sense Of Achievement:

When you start to exercise and see the improvements you’re making week on week, you’ll really get the feeling that you’ve achieved something worthwhile!

10) Keep Your Independence Later In Life:

The more you can exercise now, while you’re still able, the more you can reduce the impact of certain health problems later in life. In short, keeping fit and healthy will help you to keep your independence as late into life as possible.

So how much will you need to work out to feel these benefits of exercising? That all depends on your current fitness levels. The good news is that just 30 minutes of exercise a day is enough to improve your health drastically. So what are you waiting for?!

I know so many people who don’t feel like there’s a reason to celebrate this Christmas. And the truth is, I have a lot I’m broken-hearted about this year myself. But you know what?

There is soooooo much to be thankful for. There are so many reasons to celebrate this Christmas.

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Today, I’m celebrating the fact that I woke up today. I’ve been given another day to live. I’m grateful.

— I’m celebrating the family members and friends that that love and support me.

–I’m celebrating family and friends that are no longer here in body. I’m so thankful for the memories they gave me.

— I’m even celebrating the people I no longer talk to or that have left my life for one reason or another because of the lessons they taught me.

— I’m celebrating the bills that I have to pay because they are for all the blessings I’ve received.

— I’m celebrating the food in my pantry and fridge because I know there are many who don’t have any food at all this day.

— I’m celebrating my car – even though it needs many repairs it still runs and gets me from place to place.

— I’m celebrating my job that allows me to work from home, and that even when I feel like I’m struggling with work my income is truly unlimited, and I can do so much more than I could have in the corporate life I used to lead.

— I’m even celebrating the debts that I have to pay back because of what those borrowed dollars did for me at the time.

I could go on and on and on. But the bottom line is, even though I’m feeling a little down, I recognize all the people, places, things and reasons in my life I have to celebrate.

There is always something to be grateful for

Even though so much hurts right now, I’m doing my very best to focus on the good in my life. I invite you to do the same. Even if it hurts this Christmas and you feel like there is no reason to celebrate, sit and think about all that you have to be grateful for.

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Even if it is just that you woke up today – celebrate that! Not everyone got to breathe in this day. If you can read this message- celebrate that! Not everyone can read. If you can hear the sounds of the place you’re sitting in right now – celebrate that! Not everyone has the ability to hear. If you can type a comment – celebrate that! I think you get where I’m going with this…

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. And just whisper – I have so much to celebrate. Then, decide to be grateful. Take another deep breath and just let everything you have to be grateful for soak in. Root yourself in these thoughts. Really let yourself get immersed in a moment of extreme gratitude. Then, open your eyes and go about your day.

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By the way – I’m celebrating you too. Thank you for reading this message. Thank you for being in this world. Thank you for being in my life if only just long enough to read these words. I’m sending you all the positive vibes right now my friend. I hope that your life from this moment on is filled with more reasons to celebrate. May more abundance, joy and peace come into your life than you ever thought possible. My Christmas wish for you is that you have all that your heart desires. Merry MERRY Christmas to you!