Alpha Gecko

Category: Life

  • Getting Out of a Rut

    I read an article recently about things you can do when you feel like you’re stuck in a rut. Here are a few thoughts:

    * First, take a break from the good things in your life. When you come back, you’ll be able to appreciate the good aspects of them more. This needn’t involve going on a trip — you can simply take some time to imagine what your life would be like without things like your home, your family, your job, etc. The more vividly you imagine this alternative life, the more “dishabituated” you’ll be when you “come back,” which will help you see things with new eyes.

    * Second, do something for variety. Variety leads to learning, which the article says “induces the most joy in people.” The way I think of it, our spirits know that we’re in this life to learn and change to become more like God, so anything that brings us closer to our full potential is naturally going to bring joy to the whole soul.

    * Third, studies have shown that getting out of your familiar environment (whether something drastic like moving to a new country, or something simple like taking a walk or working away from your usual desk) automatically puts you into a more creative state and makes you better at problem solving.

    “Variety is the spice of life.” If you don’t like spicy food or spicy life, you can keep the spice mild. Just don’t banish it completely.

  • Raising an Entrepreneur

    I read an article recently by the author of a book titled “Raising an Entrepreneur.” She talked about things the parents of most of the people she interviewed for the book did when their kids were young. You may not have kids yet, or they may not be so young anymore, but I though the four things she listed were worth mentioning for people of any age:

    1. “They supported their children’s passions.” Few of the kids grew up to do what they were passionate about as kids, but working hard at things they were excited about helped them to develop grit that served them well in other activities later. It’s never too late to develop more grit by working hard on things we enjoy.

    2. “They taught their children to embrace failure.” This enabled them to live without fear of setbacks, but to see them as feedback to help them improve. They focused on effort, not just achievement. It’s never too late to overcome fears that can otherwise limit our lives in many ways.

    3. “They encouraged curiosity and autonomy,” which helped them learn to explore new possibilities rather than just assuming that things had to be the way they’ve been in the past.  It’s never too late to enrich your life with new ideas and activities.

    4. “They emphasized empathy and compassion.” “Most of the entrepreneurs in my book,” she wrote, “were taught early on to empathize with others, and they grew up wanting to solve the concerns and problems of the people around them… They were raised with a genuine desire to improve people’s lives.”  It’s certainly never too late to develop more love for others and to find ways to serve.

  • 4 Words to Dramatically Improve Your Life

    I read an article recently titled “4 Words to Dramatically Improve Your Life.” What are the 4 words? “I’ll do it anyway.”

    …so what does that mean?

    The idea is that when we face challenges, it can be easy to listen to our doubts and fears (or those of others,) and stop trying. An “I’ll do it anyway” attitude empowers us to smash through (or at least gradually push back) the limits of our comfort zones, to learn new things and develop new strengths, even if we sometimes fail in the process and have to try again. It increases our odds of being ready, in the right place at the right time, when opportunities arise.

    An “I’ll do it anyway” mentality helps us to build resilience, confidence, and self esteem, and to avoid regrets.

    Don’t let your life be kept small by doubts or fears.  Choose some things that you’d like to accomplish, and just do them.