What are your expectations for your life? Are you excited about your future or are you facing it with apprehension and fear? For most people, the future holds many uncertainties and the fear of what might happen tends to overshadow the ray of light that represents the life they ultimately desire. 

One of the hardest things to do in life is to lift yourself out of your current circumstance and step up to the level of life you desire. 

We all live with an unconscious expectation of ourselves and our own lives. This expectation not only determines what we have in our lives but also represents what we are willing to settle for. The expectation is a very powerful emotion and one that very few people ever learn to fully cultivate. Whatever you expect with certainty is what you will get in your life. The expectation is the emotional state where an idea becomes so real that you feel it even though you can't hold it yet. 

The expectation is like an invisible magnet that will attract into your life what you expect. When you expect something you activate and engage those parts of your mind and the nervous system that can empower you to think the unthinkable and do the undoable. One of the most powerful ways to cultivate expectation is to develop a very clear vision for your life.

What Do You Truly Want?

The first step in raising your expectations is to identify what you truly want. This may sound obvious, but it's easy to get bogged down in what we think we should want or what others tell us we should want. Take some time to really reflect on your desires, dreams, and goals. Ask yourself, "What would I truly love to achieve?" "What would make me feel fulfilled?" "What is my ideal outcome?" Once you have a clear understanding of what you want, you can start to set expectations that align with those desires.

It's important to challenge yourself and push yourself outside of your comfort zone, but it's equally important to set expectations that you can realistically achieve. Think about what you're capable of and set expectations that stretch you just enough without overwhelming you. Setting unrealistic expectations will only lead to frustration and disappointment, so be honest with yourself about what you can accomplish.

Believing What You Deserve 

Most people expect the worst and hope for the best. Our cultural conditioning has taught us things like "don't get your hopes up" – just in case you might be disappointed. We've been taught to aim as low as possible. Everything above that will be a bonus. Right? Wrong! Remember that what you expect with certainty is what you will get in your life. You have to break away from the autopilot of the masses that just settle for an ordinary life; a life where they are not really happy but they are not unhappy to do something about it.

If you want to lift your life and the quality of your life to a higher level than what it is at the moment you need to start by raising your expectations. Raise your expectations of what you are as a person and what you believe you deserve. See, what you believe you deserve is based on your expectations. When you lift your expectations to a higher level you raise your own standards and raising your standards is the first step to improving your life.

When you expect only the very best you will get only the very best. What you earn right now is what you expect to earn. The amount of free time you have right now is what you expect to have as free time. The relationships you have are what you expect them to be. When you expect the best it's not like expecting something good or something similar, but it is the best and only the best. You have to stop settling for less than you can be or have.

Raising Your Expectations 

Raising your expectations requires no special skills or knowledge. All it takes is a simple decision - a commitment to never again settle for anything less than your fullest potential. It's the difference between simply hoping for something and truly expecting it. And the key to cultivating this expectation lies in the way you direct the focus of your mind.

Through conscious effort, you can control your thoughts, your imagination, and your behavior. By doing so, you can break free from the cultural autopilot that most people operate on and chart your own path toward abundance and fulfillment.

Great expectations lead to great results. When you set high standards for yourself and expect nothing but the best, you'll find that opportunities and resources start to align themselves with your desires. It's a powerful mindset shift that can make all the difference between living a life of frustration and desperation and one of deep satisfaction.

So make a sincere decision to raise your expectations, and never settle for anything less than your best. Nurture this expectation with conscious effort and consistent focus, and watch as your life transforms in ways you never thought possible. The power is within you - all you have to do is choose to harness it.

Remember 

Raising your expectations can be a powerful tool for achieving your goals and living a fulfilling life. By making a conscious decision to never settle for anything less than your best, you can break free from the cultural autopilot that often keeps people stuck in a cycle of mediocrity. 

Instead, you can create a mindset of great expectations that guides you toward seeking out and achieving your desires. With consistent effort and focus, you can raise your expectations and live life on your own terms, fulfilling your potential and achieving great success. So make the decision to expect the best for yourself, and watch as your life transforms in amazing ways.

One of the most destructive effects of procrastination is the fact that it makes you feel out of control. Procrastination is like an ‘invisible force’ that keeps you from doing the very things you know you must do. With the increasing demands on our time and attention, there seems to be an increase in procrastination as a chronic problem, especially among those people that want to succeed the most. Procrastination usually sets in when you feel overwhelmed by all the ‘have to’s in life and instead of making steady progress you take on too much without ever getting any of it done.

 Feeling out of control takes away all your power to shape and direct your own life. It’s true that there are many things over which you have no control, but you always have full control over what really happens to you – and what really happens to you is a mental process independent of the circumstances and events of the outside world. Being empowered means that you realize that you already have the power and this realization also gives you the ability to take action. Here are five empowering procrastination tips that can help you to reach this realization and become empowered to effectively deal with procrastination and inaction.

1. It’s All Inside:

Procrastination is an internal process and although it might feel like it’s happening to you, you are in actual fact responsible for it. This procrastination tip can help to put you back in control almost immediately. Procrastination is not an external force, but an internal response and evaluation. The simple realization that it’s ‘you’ that is doing it to ‘you’, gives you the power to do something about it.

Sometimes, procrastination is a symptom of a larger issue such as anxiety, overwhelm, or lack of clarity. Take a moment to reflect on what's causing you to delay and write it down. Are you unsure how to start a project? Do you feel overwhelmed by the workload? Is the task not aligned with your values or goals? Once you identify the root cause, you can take steps to address it directly. For example, if you feel overwhelmed, you might break the task down into smaller, more manageable steps, or delegate some of the work to others.

2. It's All You 

When procrastination drags you down, it can be easy to feel like you're stuck in a cycle that you can't break. But the truth is, you have more control than you might think. Procrastination is a habit, and like any habit, it can be broken with the right mindset and approach.

Believing that you can overcome procrastination is the first step. If you tell yourself that you're always going to be a procrastinator, then you're setting yourself up for failure. Instead, adopt a growth mindset and tell yourself that you can change. You can learn new habits and behaviors that will help you to become more productive and efficient.

The second belief you need to develop is that you are the one who can overcome procrastination. No one else can do it for you. This means taking responsibility for your actions and making a conscious effort to change. It's easy to blame external factors like a busy schedule or a lack of motivation, but the truth is that procrastination is a choice. By choosing to take control of your actions, you can break the cycle of procrastination and start achieving your goals.

Remember, procrastination is not a permanent state. You created this habit, which means you have the power to uncreate it. By developing a growth mindset and taking responsibility for your actions, you can overcome procrastination and achieve success in all areas of your life.

3. It’s All In Your Head:

The reason why most people remain stuck in patterns of procrastination is because of fear. When it comes to procrastination, fear is often the underlying cause. We might be afraid of failure, or of not meeting other people's expectations. We might be afraid of the hard work and effort that a task requires.

The problem is that when we allow fear to control us, we end up stuck in patterns of procrastination. We put off tasks because we're afraid of the outcome, and in doing so, we miss out on opportunities for growth and achievement.

To overcome fear and procrastination, it's important to confront the things that scare us. This means doing the very things that we don't want to do. It means facing our fears head-on and taking action, even when it's uncomfortable or difficult.

The truth is, fear only exists in our imagination. It's always something that hasn't happened yet, and may never happen at all. Procrastination, too, is not real - it's just a way that we evaluate things in our minds. By confronting our fears and taking action, we can break free from the cycle of procrastination and achieve our goals.

4. It’s All about conditioning:

Consistency is key to achieving success in any area of life. Whether it's athletics, academics, or business, the most successful individuals are those who can repeat their success consistently over time. And the key to developing this consistency is through conditioning.

Our nervous system operates through conditioning. When we repeat a behavior or action over and over again, it becomes "normal" to us, and our brain and body learn to do it automatically. This is why it's so important to develop positive habits and routines that support our goals and aspirations.

However, conditioning can also work against us. If we have a conditioned response of procrastination, for example, we will always feel out of control and unable to break free from the cycle of procrastination. In the end, reconditioning yourself to overcome procrastination requires a commitment to consistent effort and practice. It won't happen overnight, but with time and persistence, you can break free from the cycle of procrastination and achieve success in all areas of your life. Remember, your nervous system is constantly learning and adapting, and you have the power to shape it in a way that supports your goals and aspirations.

5. It’s All about awareness:

While procrastination is often viewed as a negative behavior, it's important to recognize that it does serve a purpose. In fact, procrastination can be a helpful guide to understanding what really matters to us.

 We only procrastinate about things that have value to us. If we didn't care about the task or outcome, we wouldn't procrastinate in the first place. So, instead of viewing procrastination as a failure or weakness, we can start to see it as a signpost pointing us toward what we truly value. By being aware of this fact and developing an awareness of our behavior, we can empower ourselves to take charge of our lives on a much deeper level. Instead of feeling helpless and out of control, we can use our procrastination as a tool for self-discovery and growth.

For example, if you find yourself procrastinating on a project at work, it may be a sign that you need to reevaluate your career goals and priorities. Or, if you procrastinate on going to the gym, it could be a sign that you need to reassess your relationship with exercise and find a form of physical activity that truly resonates with you.

By embracing procrastination as a guide and being aware of our behavior, we can gain a greater sense of clarity and purpose in our lives. We can start to prioritize the things that truly matter to us and take action toward achieving our goals and aspirations.

Procrastination can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and growth if we are willing to embrace it and use it as a guide. By being aware of our behavior and developing an understanding of why we procrastinate, we can take charge of our lives and achieve success in all areas. So, next time you find yourself procrastinating, take a step back and ask yourself what this behavior is telling you about your values and priorities.

 When you are empowered you are in charge, and even if things seem to go wrong on the surface, underneath you know that you have the power to deal with it effectively. Procrastination is disempowering and it takes away your ability to take immediate action and deal with any situation. Always remember that you are ultimately in charge of yourself. Tomorrow will be today tomorrow. Don’t delay. Act!

Are you one of those people who can’t seem to stop “doing?”

 I have yet to meet anyone who hasn’t felt overwhelmed from time to time. Since it tends to feel uncomfortable, if not downright unpleasant, we tend to view it as negative and as a weakness. We don’t dare to admit we are overwhelmed or dare to talk about it, which can leave us feeling isolated and alone, further exacerbating the feeling.

We often deny we are overwhelmed because we do not know how to stop the frantic behavior that leads to this feeling. So we do nothing. Our employers, colleagues, or friends often do not help support us to stop overworking.

Why do we do this to ourselves? Primarily, this syndrome occurs in our work life but it can carry over to our personal and family life, and it frequently does. Focusing on projects often begins with good intentions, but we can quickly and easily be overwhelmed if we do not have a plan to minimize and balance our work. Getting the project finalized for your team, writing the copy for your website, designing the new sales brochure, or completing the 90-day marketing plan is extremely important – but having a balanced, healthy life is equally important.

This stressful pattern is telling you to change your life! Once you get this message, it is easier to identify the steps you need to take to shift out of the behavior quickly.

How to Combat Feeling Overwhelmed 

1. Stop what you are doing for a few minutes and take a break. 

It may seem counterintuitive, but taking breaks can actually help you be more productive in the long run. When you're feeling overwhelmed, your brain can start to feel foggy and you may find it hard to concentrate. Taking a short break to go for a walk, listen to some music, or just take a few deep breaths can help clear your mind and give you a renewed sense of focus.

 Following are helpful strategies gleaned from my personal experience and from my work with people who are burned out, growing cranky, frustrated, and even depressed. These strategies immediately diminish feelings of being overwhelmed so you can refocus and make some work/life balance decisions.

Speaking of deep breaths, let's talk about mindfulness. Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment and focusing on your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. It's a great tool for combatting overwhelm because it helps you stay grounded and centered. You can practice mindfulness in many different ways, such as meditation, yoga, or even just taking a few minutes to sit quietly and focus on your breath.

2. Get a piece of paper and make two columns.

In one column, list urgent things you need to do this week. In the other column, list those projects that you can delegate, or hire to be done.

3. Ask for help when you need it 

Don't forget to ask for help when you need it. Feeling overwhelmed can make you feel like you're all alone, but the truth is that everyone struggles with it at some point. Talk to a friend or family member, or even a professional if you need to. There's no shame in admitting that you need help, and it can make a huge difference in how you feel.

4. Eliminate, eliminate, eliminate

Unsubscribe to unnecessary e-mail, organize your desk and office to decrease clutter, stop attending meetings, get off committees, and decrease volunteering at fundraisers unless you have a total passion for the organization and the cause.

5. Set Boundaries

Sometimes, feeling overwhelmed can come from saying "yes" to too many things. It's important to set boundaries and learn to say "no" when you need to. This can be hard, especially if you're a people pleaser, but it's important to prioritize your own needs and mental health.

6. Do not spend time with people whom you do not like

Assess your friends and business colleagues. Do they support and honor who you are? If they are negative and don’t share your vision for your dreams, don’t spend another minute with them.

7. Prioritize Sleep

When we're feeling overwhelmed, it's easy to sacrifice sleep in order to get more done. But in the long run, this can actually make things worse. Prioritize getting enough sleep each night, and consider creating a relaxing bedtime routine to help you unwind.

8. Practice Self-Care

This can mean different things to different people, but the key is to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally. Maybe it's taking a bubble bath, getting a massage, or treating yourself to a favorite food. Whatever it is, make sure you're taking care of yourself.

9. Use the mantra: I don’t do overwhelm!

Everytime you start to feel overwhelmed say- out loud if you can, or to yourself if needed “I don’t do overwhelm!” And take a few deep breaths. Say it a few times until you feel your body start to relax. After saying this over and over you will train your brain to believe that you just don't overwhelm in your life. In turn, you will start to naturally adapt some of the strategies mentioned above because your brain will believe it doesn’t accept overwhelm and you will find ways to eliminate overwhelm from your life.  

Remember 

Feeling overwhelmed is a normal part of life, but it doesn't have to control you. By trying out some of these strategies and finding what works for you, you can take control of your life and start feeling more in balance. Remember to be patient with yourself, and don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. We're all in this together!

Inner Peace, isn’t that what we’d all love to experience consistently as we weave our paths through everything life gives us? The good news is it is far simpler to attain than many of our outer (material or physical) goals. The bad news is that simple isn’t always easy! Attaining inner peace is not easy because it means replacing old habits with new ones, and that requires dedicated commitment. But the benefits are absolutely worth the effort.

What is Inner Peace?

 Inner peace gives you the ability to live your life with a sense of happiness, satisfaction, and fulfillment that is not disturbed or influenced by outside events. How do you acquire it? By living your life your own way, not how others think you should. By not worrying about what others think of you – we all judge others (both positively and negatively) according to our own values, but if we try to live our lives in a way that honors somebody else’s values rather than our own, we’ll always have a little gnawing discomfort going on deep inside.

Inner peace is a feeling of calm, contentment, and serenity that can help us navigate through life's challenges with ease. However, achieving inner peace is not always an easy feat. Our minds are constantly bombarded with stress, worries, and distractions, making it challenging to find a moment of peace and quiet. But, the good news is that there are several ways to experience inner peace and live a happier, more fulfilling life.

Mindfulness 

One of the most effective ways to achieve inner peace is through mindfulness. Mindfulness is the act of being present in the moment and focusing on your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment. This practice can help you calm your mind, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase feelings of inner peace. To get started with mindfulness, try taking five minutes a day to sit in silence, breathe deeply, and focus on your breath. You can also try incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine, such as paying attention to the sensations of your feet as you walk or focusing on the flavors and textures of your food as you eat.

Forgiveness 

To experience inner peace, we also need to be able to forgive and let go of guilt. Forgive yourself and forgive others. Feeling guilty about past actions won’t change them and won’t make anybody feel any better (either you or the person whom you’ve hurt). Do what you can to put things right, resolve to do better in the future, and move on.

 Likewise, letting go of anger or grudges will bring about a surprising sense of peace. Think about it – how does holding onto these negative emotions help you? And do you think they hurt those against whom you hold them more than they hurt you? Not at all. They are your emotions and you are the only person whom they can harm.

 Of course, it can be very difficult to forgive someone who’s hurt you, but what I’ve come to realize is that most people don’t maliciously set out to hurt others, and those who do are deeply unhappy themselves. The motivation behind their action was most probably some kind of fear rather than deliberately wanting to cause hurt or pain. And the thought of in that context, it’s easier to let it go.

 And with a little bit of practice at forgiveness, you may even find yourself getting less annoyed or angry with people in the future. When you can shrug things off and not take things personally (it’s really about them, and not you at all), you’ll have a greater sense of inner peace. Our happiness is determined by how we think about the events in our lives, rather than by the events themselves. Take charge of your thoughts and you take charge of your emotions.

Let Go of Worry

To achieve inner peace, you also need to let go of worry. Hmm, another tricky one! Worry is similar to guilt. Worrying about what might or might not happen is completely unproductive, and totally destroys your ability to enjoy the present moment. A great shame that, as the present moment is all we really have. Worrying about something will not change the outcome, it will only steal you of your joy today.

 So, how do we learn to let go of worries, guilt, and anger? Well, the first thing is to become consciously aware of what we’re thinking whenever we feel worried, guilty, or angry. Notice what’s going on in your inner dialogue, and acknowledge that it’s your thoughts about the external event that’s causing you to feel the way you do, and not the event itself. Then reframe your thoughts to reflect what’s going on around you in a more positive light. Whenever you catch yourself thinking of an old thought, banish it immediately and replace it with the new one.

Getting Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is also crucial for experiencing inner peace. Sleep is an essential part of our well-being and can have a significant impact on our mood and mental health. When we don't get enough sleep, we're more likely to feel anxious, stressed, and irritable. On the other hand, when we get a good night's rest, we're more likely to feel calm, relaxed, and content. So, be sure to prioritize sleep and create a bedtime routine that helps you fall asleep and stay asleep.

Practicing Gratitude 

Practicing gratitude can help you focus on the positive aspects of your life and experience a greater sense of peace and contentment. You can start by writing down three things you're grateful for each day, or you can try expressing gratitude to others by telling them what you appreciate about them.

It is a powerful tool for experiencing inner peace and can help you cultivate a positive outlook, even in the face of life's challenges. When we practice gratitude, we shift our focus from what we don't have to what we do have, and this can help us feel more content and satisfied with our lives.

Another way to practice gratitude is to focus on the present moment. When we're caught up in worries about the future or regrets about the past, it's easy to overlook the good things in our lives. By focusing on the present moment, we can become more aware of the things we have to be grateful for, and this can help us experience inner peace.

Going out in Nature 

Spending time in nature is a wonderful way to experience inner peace. Whether it's a walk in the park, a hike in the mountains, or simply sitting outside and taking in the beauty of the world around you, being in nature can help us escape the distractions and stress of daily life and connect with something larger than ourselves. This can help us experience a sense of calm, peace, and contentment.

One of the reasons that spending time in nature is so beneficial is that it allows us to disconnect from technology and other distractions. In today's fast-paced world, we're often bombarded with information and stimuli from our devices and the media. Spending time in nature allows us to take a break from this constant barrage of information and simply be present in the moment.

Another benefit of spending time in nature is that it allows us to connect with the natural world. This can help us feel a sense of belonging and connection to something larger than ourselves. Whether it's the beauty of a sunset, the sound of birds singing, or the feeling of the sun on our skin, experiencing the beauty of nature can help us feel more peaceful and content.

Remember 

Experiencing inner peace is a journey that requires effort and dedication, but it is well worth it. With a little effort and dedication, you can find your inner peace and live a happier, more fulfilling life.

This will take a lot of practice but with patience and persistence you will develop a lighter inner dialogue that promotes a feeling of well-being and inner peace, and the world will feel like a far better place to live in!