Polly Campbell's Blog, page 12

Three Minute Relationship Booster

Each day there are little things that we can do quickly, in-the-moment, to make the next moment a little better and brighter. I call them Power Ups and over the next few weeks, I’ll share some of these tips, practices, and ideas, here.  

 

 

A Three-Minute Relationship Booster
We get so caught up in the regular routine, the familiar people and things in our lives, that we tend to overlook them. We stop noticing what it is we love about our life and the people in it. And once we fail to notice, it’s harder to connect to those things that we truly appreciate. Some days it’s even hard to see the good stuff.
Today — and everyday — reconnect to the goodness. For three minutes focus your attention on the wonderful qualities and things you love about an important person in your life. Maybe it’s the way he always asks about your day or makes you coffee. Perhaps it’s the way she sings while washing dishes or laughs at your jokes.
Think fond thoughts about this person you adore and you’ll discover even more to love.

Power Up Your Relationship

Each day there are little things that we can do quickly, in-the-moment, to make the next moment a little better and brighter. I call them Power Ups and over the next few weeks, I’ll share some of these tips, practices, and ideas, here.  

 

Power Up Your Relationship
A sincere expression of vulnerability or weakness can inspire intimacy and passion.
Yet too often we deflect, blame, deny, hide, to avoid sharing our true feelings, fears, imperfections. We make it about him or her, instead of being brave enough to share ourselves.
Today, do it differently. Instead of triggering to anger or deflecting your feelings, share your hurt or excitement, fear or optimism, desires and needs. Get real and be true to yourself and when you are you will be developing a closer connection and relationship resilience.

Optimism Comes with Action

Each day there are little things that we can do quickly, in-the-moment, to make the next moment a little better and brighter. I call them Power Ups and over the next few weeks, I’ll share some of these tips, practices, and ideas, here.  

Optimism can be a catalyst for good things. Optimistic people usually believe that they can influence positive change, even in difficult situations, and they take steps to do it. That effort alone, often creates more positive outcomes.
For example, optimists generally take better care of themselves because they believe that will make a positive difference in the other areas of their life. They work hard, follow through on goals. But, what researchers now believe, is that optimism is more of a behavior or attitude than innate trait we’re born with.
This means that even pessimists can act optimistically and change their lives for the better. Next time you face adversity, try behaving as an optimist. Notice the challenge, feel the upset, and then pick at least one action you can take that might make the situation better. You don’t have to be a born optimist to reap the rewards of a positive attitude.

Optimism Will Power You Up

Each day there are little things that we can do quickly, in-the-moment, to make the next moment a little better and brighter. I call them Power Ups and over the next few weeks, I’ll share some of these tips, practices, and ideas, here.  

Some I write about in Imperfect Spirituality: Extraordinary Enlightenment for Ordinary People, others are new, things I’ve recently tried or learned. Tips, usually backed by research, that I use to keep me moving and positive and engaged even when I feel like whining or crying and complaining. Hope you find value in them too.

Optimism
You don’t always have to always feel positive or upbeat to be optimistic. Grounded optimism is about recognizing the difficulties, believing things can get better, and then, working to make them so.

Power Up with a Self-Compassion Mantra

Each day there are little things that we can do quickly, in-the-moment, to make the next moment a little better and brighter. I call them Power Ups and over the next few weeks, I’ll share some of these tips, practices, and ideas, here.  

Some I write about in Imperfect Spirituality: Extraordinary Enlightenment for Ordinary People, others are new, things I’ve recently tried or learned. Things I use to keep me moving and positive and engaged even when I feel like whining or crying and complaining. Hope you find value in them too.

 

 

Self-compassion prompts feelings of safety and security. Instead of getting caught in denial, blame, or bad feelings after making a mistake, self-compassion allows you to admit your error, take responsibility, and then move on to accomplish your goals.
But, after an embarrassing blunder or epic failure we may lean more toward self-criticism than self-compassion. Rather than stay stuck in the bad feelings, try  a self-compassion mantra to move forward.
Kristin Neff, PhD, an expert in self-compassion suggests using a Self-Compassion Mantra to move through the more difficult times.
Try something like: “I’m going to be kind to myself” or “I made a mistake and I’m going to support myself to get through it.”
Repeat the phrase throughout the day. This will remind you to acknowledge your humanity and treat yourself kindly and by doing that, you’ll be free to move on instead of getting stuck in negative feeling.

Power Up Productivity with Self-Compassion

Each day there are little things that we can do quickly, in-the-moment, to make the next moment a little better and brighter. I call them Power Ups and over the next few weeks, I’ll share some of these tips, practices, and ideas, here.  

Some I write about in Imperfect Spirituality: Extraordinary Enlightenment for Ordinary People, others are new, things I’ve recently tried or learned. Tips, usually backed by research, that I use to keep me moving and positive and engaged even when I feel like whining or crying and complaining. Hope you find value in them too.

Self-criticism thwarts motivation, but self-compassion can make it all better and boost happiness, optimism, curiosity, conscientiousness AND motivation in the process.

When we beat ourselves up for our mistakes, we hurt and tend to get stuck in the bad feelings. But, with a softer, kinder approach you can acknowledge your error, fix it or learn how not to repeat the mistake and move on. Instead of being trapped in a cycle of bad feelings, self-compassion helps you deal with the difficulties and move beyond them. This way, you’ll feel more creative, secure, inspired, and ready to accomplish your goals.

 

Power Up by Practicing Courage

Each day there are little things that we can do quickly, in-the-moment, to make the next moment a little better and brighter. I call them Power Ups and over the next few weeks, I’ll share some of these tips, practices, and ideas, here.  

Some I write about in Imperfect Spirituality: Extraordinary Enlightenment for Ordinary People, others are new, things I’ve recently tried or learned. Tips, usually backed by research, that I use to keep me moving and positive and engaged even when I feel like whining or crying and complaining. Hope you find value in them too.

We become braver, more courageous when we practice by first doing the lower-risk little things that make us a bit uncomfortable.
Each of us possess some degree of courage and research indicates that you can actually build more. One way to do it is to continually take on tasks that feel a little scary or uncomfortable. Trust me, this gets easier with practice.
Today, do something you’ve never done before. Share an opinion when you would otherwise stay quiet, apply for the job you’ve always wanted, leave some unscheduled time to see what comes up, meditate. Do the thing you’ve always wanted to do, but have been to afraid to try.
 

graphic from freeimages.com

Power Up Your Psychological Courage

Each day there are little things that we can do quickly, in-the-moment, to make the next moment a little better and brighter. I call them Power Ups and over the next few weeks, I’ll share some of these tips, practices, and ideas, here.  

Some I write about in Imperfect Spirituality: Extraordinary Enlightenment for Ordinary People, others are new, things I’ve recently tried or learned. Tips, usually backed by research, that I use to keep me moving and positive and engaged even when I feel like whining or crying and complaining. Hope you find value in them too.

We are all courageous, but we limit ourselves by how we define the word. Courage isn’t limited to firefighters or soldiers. Each of us possess some psychological courage. Psychological courage allows us to confront a problem or challenge a circumstance, despite profound discomfort, in order to solve it and create a better future.
Psychological courage is the thing that helps us check into treatment, to call the doctor when we find a lump, try for the dream job, enroll in school, follow our dreams despite risk of failure. This kind of courage allows for forward motion. Movement and growth.
And, it’s all within you. Today, think of a time when you did the difficult and scary thing because it was the right thing to move you forward in your life. Recall the events and challenges you faced and then reflect on how you overcame those challenges to thrive. See, you’ve got this.

Power in the Contrast

Each day there are little things that we can do quickly, in-the-moment, to make the next moment a little better and brighter. I call them Power Ups and over the next few weeks, I’ll share some of these tips, practices, and ideas, here.  

Some I write about in Imperfect Spirituality: Extraordinary Enlightenment for Ordinary People, others are new, things I’ve recently tried or learned. Tips, usually backed by research, that I use to keep me moving and positive and engaged even when I feel like whining or crying and complaining. Hope you find value in them too.

Power in the Contrast
The contrast that comes from acknowledging your flaws and imperfections allows for greater compassion, accountability, and gratitude.
By recognizing what we aren’t good at, we are also able to see our gifts and strengths. That breeds appreciation.

 

 

Power Up: Going for Good Enough

Art by Erin Cairney White

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each day there are little things that we can do quickly, in-the-moment, to make the next moment a little better and brighter. I call them Power Ups and over the next few weeks, I’ll share some of these tips, practices, and ideas, here.  

Some I write about in Imperfect Spirituality: Extraordinary Enlightenment for Ordinary People, others are new, things I’ve recently tried or learned. Tips, usually backed by research, that I use to keep me moving and positive and engaged even when I feel like whining or crying and complaining. Hope you find value in them too.

 

Owning it All
Our human failings and flaws are unavoidable, but, they can become sources of power and inspiration when we decide to acknowledge them and use their insights to launch the lives we desire and deserve.
When we deny or hide or blame ourselves and others for our mistakes and mishaps, we get stuck in the energy of what is wrong.
Instead, acknowledge your shortcomings, be accountable for them — OWN them. Then you won’t have to skulk around afraid someone is going to find out that you are less-than perfect.
When you acknowledge you are less-than perfect, just like the rest of us, when you come clean to yourself about who you are –all the good and the bad —  you are free to be ALL that you are. And that means you’ll have plenty of energy left to throw into your talents and joys and passions. This is liberating. This is power.