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First, Love Yourself

October 5, 2023

“Love yourself first, and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” -Lucille Ball

Loving yourself is often considered a cliche or self-indulgent, but it is, in fact, a fundamental step in living a happy and fulfilling life. Without self-love, it can be challenging to appreciate others and give back to them. Moreover, self-love can be an ongoing journey with many ups and downs.

One of the most important aspects of self-love is treating yourself with kindness and respect. It involves embracing your strengths and accepting your weaknesses. You must take care of your body, mind, and spirit by engaging in activities that make you feel good. And when you feel good about yourself, it will radiate out and positively affect the people around you.

The story of John, a successful businessman, is a prime example of how loving oneself can lead to loving others.

John had always been focused on his career and personal achievements. His daily routine revolved around work and fitness, leaving no time for socializing or relaxation. Although he was successful, John often felt lonely and unfulfilled.

One day, John met a woman named Emily, who challenged his worldview. Emily was a kind and compassionate person who valued relationships and human connections over material possessions. Through Emily, John learned the value of love and relationships. He realized that he had been missing out on the most important aspects of life by focusing solely on his personal achievements.

As John began to love Emily, he found that he was also learning to love himself. He began to prioritize his mental and emotional health, taking time to meditate and connect with himself. He started to treat himself with more kindness and respect, engaging in activities that brought him joy.

With this newfound self-love, John was better able to connect with others and show them love and kindness. He became more empathetic, listening and understanding the needs of his colleagues and friends. He was more open to new experiences, which allowed him to learn from others and form deeper connections.

Through his journey of self-love, John had come to understand that loving oneself is not a selfish act, but rather a necessary step in loving others. When you take care of yourself, you are better equipped to give back to others, which can lead to deeper and more meaningful relationships.

In conclusion, loving oneself is not only important for personal growth and happiness but is also a crucial step in loving others. By treating yourself with kindness and respect, you can better connect with those around you and form deeper relationships. Take time to engage in activities that make you feel good, prioritize your mental and emotional health, and be open to new experiences. Loving yourself is an ongoing journey, but it is one that is worth taking.

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Being More Assertive

Assertiveness is a communication style that involves expressing one’s thoughts, feelings, and needs in a clear, direct, and respectful manner, while also respecting the rights and opinions of others. Assertive communication is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth, as it can help individuals to build stronger relationships, set clear boundaries, and achieve their goals.

Assertiveness involves being confident in oneself and one’s abilities, and expressing oneself clearly and effectively. It also involves being able to stand up for oneself and one’s rights, while also respecting the rights and opinions of others. Assertiveness is a balance between passivity and aggression, and involves finding a way to communicate that is assertive without being confrontational.

Here are some tips on how to become more assertive:

Recognize your own worth: One of the keys to assertiveness is recognizing your own worth and value. This means understanding your own needs, wants, and desires, and recognizing that they are just as important as those of others.

Practice expressing yourself: One of the best ways to become more assertive is to practice expressing yourself. This could involve practicing with a friend or family member, or writing down your thoughts and feelings in a journal.

Use “I” statements: When communicating with others, it’s important to use “I” statements rather than “you” statements. This helps to express your own thoughts and feelings without placing blame or making accusations.

Set clear boundaries: Assertiveness involves setting clear boundaries and communicating them clearly to others. This helps to ensure that your needs and wants are respected, while also respecting the rights and opinions of others.

Learn to say “no”: Learning to say “no” is an important part of assertiveness. This involves setting limits and boundaries, and saying “no” when something doesn’t align with your needs or values.

There are many situations where it is appropriate to be assertive. Here are a few examples:

In the workplace: Being assertive in the workplace can help individuals to communicate effectively with coworkers, managers, and clients. This could involve setting clear boundaries, expressing opinions, or standing up for oneself.

In personal relationships: Assertiveness can also be important in personal relationships. This could involve setting boundaries with friends or family members, or expressing one’s feelings in a clear and direct manner.

In negotiations: Being assertive can be important in negotiations, such as when discussing a raise or negotiating a contract. This involves expressing one’s needs and desires clearly and respectfully.

In everyday interactions: Assertiveness can also be important in everyday interactions, such as when dealing with customer service representatives or expressing one’s needs in a public setting.

In conclusion, assertiveness is an important communication skill that can help individuals to build stronger relationships, set clear boundaries, and achieve their goals. To become more assertive, individuals can practice expressing themselves, set clear boundaries, and learn to say “no.” Assertiveness can be appropriate in a variety of situations, including in the workplace, in personal relationships, in negotiations, and in everyday interactions. By developing this skill, individuals can improve their communication and achieve greater success in their personal and professional lives.

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The Power of our Subconscious Mind

The human mind is a complex system that controls our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The mind is divided into two parts, the conscious and the subconscious mind. The conscious mind is the part of our mind that is aware of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. The subconscious mind, on the other hand, is the part of our mind that operates below the level of conscious awareness. It controls many of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors without us even realizing it.

The subconscious mind is responsible for many of our automatic behaviors, habits, and beliefs. It operates like a computer program that has been programmed by our experiences, beliefs, and values. The subconscious mind is constantly receiving information from our environment and processing it, often without our conscious awareness. This information is then used to make decisions and influence our behavior.

The subconscious mind is much more powerful than the conscious mind, and it can often override the conscious mind’s decisions. This is because the subconscious mind is responsible for our survival instincts and is always looking out for our best interests. It is programmed to avoid pain and seek pleasure, so it will always steer us towards actions that are pleasurable and away from actions that are painful.

The subconscious mind is also responsible for many of our beliefs and values. These beliefs and values are often formed early in life and are deeply ingrained in our subconscious mind. They can have a powerful influence on our behavior and can be difficult to change.

For example, let’s say you were raised in a family that valued hard work and achievement. These values would have become deeply ingrained in your subconscious mind, and you would likely feel compelled to work hard and achieve success in your life. This value system would be so deeply embedded in your subconscious mind that you may not even be aware of it. It would simply feel like a natural part of who you are. In conclusion, the subconscious mind plays a powerful role in controlling our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It is responsible for many of our automatic behaviors, habits, and beliefs. The subconscious mind operates like a computer program that has been programmed by our experiences, beliefs, and values. It is constantly receiving information from our environment and using that information to influence our behavior. The subconscious mind is much more powerful than the conscious mind and can often override the conscious mind’s decisions. Understanding how the subconscious mind works can help us better understand ourselves and make positive changes in our lives.

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About Stephen

Stephen is an experienced digital transformation technology leader, with over three decades of experience in strategic sales, marketing, and business development. His experience includes working for Fortune Global 500, Forbes Global 2000 companies, family-owned conglomerates, and technology start-ups. He has built high performing teams and partnerships, while successfully creating and executing on “Go To Market” strategies. He has grown and managed multimillion-dollar portfolios while engaging with clients across industries and establishing trusted client relationships. He is a professionally trained Co-Active Coach from the Coaches Training Institute.