Category: Personal development (page 3 of 10)

A collection of blog posts about personal development. Here, Zamai Banje writes and discusses personal development and how it affects young individuals.

Consistency Building – The Fool-Proof Way to Achieve Your Goals

You need consistency.

Consistency helps you get better at things. When you consistently work towards a goal, you are more likely to succeed. It’s like taking small steps every day towards something big.

For instance, Great musicians become excellent over time because they practice playing their musical instruments every day. Athletes become exceptional at their sports by consistently practicing their skills, whether it’s shooting basketballs, kicking football, or running. This regular practice helps them improve their techniques and perform well during competitions.

It’s the same for you. Consistency is your secret weapon in reaching your goals.

Being consistent means showing up and doing things, over and over till it is successful.  Good habits are also formed from consistency. And good habits make things easier because you don’t have to think too much about doing them – they just happen automatically.

Photo by Maria Teneva on Unsplash

Photo by Maria Teneva on Unsplash

And What Happens When You Are Not Consistent?

You miss out on learning new things when you are not consistent. For example, if you only practice learning a new skill at your work, you can get fired.

If you don’t consistently manage your time well, you will procrastinate, struggle to meet deadlines and experience stress.

You will find it challenging to handle unexpected expenses or plan for the future if you don’t consistently save money and keep spending impulsively.

People will also find it hard to depend on you if you’re not consistent. It’s like they have a friend who sometimes shows up and sometimes doesn’t – it makes it tough for them to count on you.

You need a plan to stay consistent. A fool-proof way to always achieve your goals.

After you read this article to the end, you will learn how to be consistent, build trust in yourself and achieve the things you want in the long run.

THE HACKS TO BUILDING CONSISTENCY

Consistency is like having a special recipe for success, where you follow certain steps every time to get a great result. To be consistent and always complete your goals, here are three hacks you must follow:

  1. BUILD RHYTHMS, RITUALS AND ROUTINES TO TRIGGER CONSISTENCY

The easiest way to be consistent is to transform your goal into simple regular habits. It starts with rhythm. Firstly, you must generate a strong regular repeated pattern of your work. This removes the need to make it extremely easy in accomplishing your goals.

Secondly, there is no correct ritual or routine when establishing your rhythms. the right fit depends on you and the type of goal pursued. But there are some general questions you must address:

  1. Where will you work and for how long: Have a specific location(s) where you are working towards the goal. Regardless of where you work, be sure to also give yourself a specific period to keep your goal interesting and not an open-ended slog.
  2. How will you work once you start to work: Have rules and processes to keep your efforts structured. e.g., switching off your phone if it’s a goal not related to any electronic device.
  3. How will you support your work: Ensure your brain gets the support it needs to keep operating at a high level of depth. The answers to this question are simple – Eat, sleep and rest.

ACTION PLAN:

To make this principle stick better, choose a goal, and answer the questions below:

  1. Where you’ll work and for how long: Have a specific location and give a specific time frame.

Location: ________________________________

Period: ______________________________

  1. How you’ll work once you start to work: State the rules and processes to keep your efforts structured and focused.

1st Rule: ___________________________________

2nd Rule: ___________________________________

3rd Rule: ___________________________________

  1. How you’ll support your work: Schedule sleep, rest, and short breaks at appropriate times before, during and after your goal-related activities.

Time to work on goal: ___________________________________

Resting time: ___________________________________

Time to eat to regain energy: ___________________________________

Photo by Breakingpic

Photo by Breakingpic

  1. CREATE CHECKLISTS TO BREAK DOWN YOUR GOALS

Checklists are handy for remembering things that must be done every time you work on your goal. They’re a way to build your consistency and systematize your process. This frees your attention to always focus on more important matters.

It’s important to transform your long-term goals into daily ones. Attack them bit by bit. Big tasks need to be translated into smaller ones that show up on your daily task list. The only way to walk a journey of a thousand miles is to take one step at a time.

That’s what the daily and weekly to-do lists will help you achieve.

Both lists will help you calmly step back, look at the big picture, and set priorities every day and week. Setting out your daily list the evening before can also help prevent you from making last-minute decisions that can cost you for the next day.

How can you effectively use your checklists?

Write down your weekly goals on the weekly to-do list. Break them into a daily to-do list. Execute your weekly list from the first to-do list of the day.  Reflect on your daily doings – what went right and what went wrong. Adjust as needed. Always measure how well your practice session went.

You can add some accountability to help you follow through. Share your progress with your inner circle or online. Join like-minded groups who have similar goals and compare progress.

ACTION PLAN:

  • Create a weekly to-do list for your goal.
  • Create a daily to-do list before each day.
  • At the end of the week, reflect on your doings.
  • Repeat steps till the goal is achieved.

The next step will show you to measure your progress while being consistent.

Photo by jessica-lewis-🦋-thepaintedsquare-606541

Photo by jessica-lewis-🦋-thepaintedsquare-606541

  1. JOURNAL TO MEASURE YOUR PROGRESS

To be consistent, you must use journaling to measure your progress as well. Journaling is the activity of keeping a diary or journal and taking down notes for personal and productive purposes.

Journaling is easy to do. There are two ways to start journaling. You can either:

  1. Get a notebook and a pen. Start recording your activities and report your progress after your deep work sessions. There is this sense of serenity and sincerity within yourself when you take a pen and write in a physical journal.
  2. Download a dedicated journaling app on your phone or computer. Various apps can help your journaling journey.

The key to effective journaling is to be minimal and avoid distractions. Ideally, you should also maintain separate sections in your journal for every goal you want to achieve.

Journaling: How To Constantly Channel and Control Your Thoughts

In sum, journal to record and measure your progress. Whatever you do, don’t stop when it hurts. That’s when the learning truly happens.

ACTION PLAN:
Record your progress in your dedicated journal after each daily to-do list.

That’s all. With these hacks, you have all you need to be consistent and always accomplish any goal you have.

 

FOCUS: How to Successfully Complete Your Projects

Do you have a goal that keeps hovering in your mind? Are you overwhelmed with so many activities that you don’t know which to start with? Or maybe you are too paralyzed (or bored) to achieve a certain task. Do you think you may lack focus in the projects you undertake?

You are not alone. It’s a problem many people face in this modern world. It’s lack of focus on your tasks. Focus is an important state you must master to excel at your tasks and completing your to-do lists. It allows you completely concentrate your entire being on a specific activity to achieve it.

How can you achieve this state?

Don’t worry, this article got you covered. After reading this, you will know how to stay focused, avoid distractions and keep moving forward till you accomplish your tasks.

To always accomplish your tasks and activities successfully, the ability to be composed, clear-headed and cool even under pressure is what will separate you from the non-doers. You must practice being able to focus.

Firstly, there are techniques you must learn before achieving a state of focus.

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FOCUS: How to Keep Accomplishing Tasks Until You are Successful

STOP MULTITASKING TO MAXIMIZE FOCUS

Multitasking means trying to do more than one thing at a time. When multitasking, you are just switching between tasks, and don’t do them as well. It’s like playing two games at once. You can’t focus on both.

You can either do one thing or the other excellently, not at the same time.

Multitasking also defeats the purpose of focus. It’s just like progressing in life. It’s only when you take advantage of one opportunity, you will be presented with more. When you move confidently in one direction, more options appear in front of you. Less becomes more because of focus.

BE PRESENT IN THE MOMENT

To constantly accomplish tasks successfully at your peak level, you need to work for extended periods with full concentration. One task at a time. Free from distraction. There is a secret of achieving this.

Everything you do must be important, and that’s the secret. The more you practice doing things with all your heart and attention, the easier it gets. It will become like breathing – you just do it without thinking! The better you focus when you do the little things, the better you’ll do in big stages.

Virtually all situations can be handled as long as the presence of mind is maintained – Josh Waitzkin (International chess master and Jiu-jitsu champion)

There’s one more technique you must learn before I share the steps on focusing on your tasks and getting things done.

VISUALIZE AND USE MENTAL CONTRASTING

A powerful approach to maintain focus is mental contrasting. In this technique, you think about where you are now and contrast it with what you want to achieve.

For instance, let’s say you have a work project due next week. To use mental contrasting, first think about where you are now: maybe you haven’t started yet or just have some ideas. Then, imagine the finished project, how good it will look and how proud you’ll feel.

Now, see the difference between now (not much done) and your goal (a great finished project). This helps you understand what you need to do. So, you plan: “I’ll work on it for an hour every day before starting my daily work routine.”

Seeing where you are and where you want to be motivates you to work on your project a little each day, helping you finish it on time!

Now, we have listed the techniques to maximize your focus. Here are the steps on how to focus to accomplish your goal and tasks.

THE HOW-TO-FOCUS PROCESS

THE HOW-TO-FOCUS PROCESS

THE HOW TO FOCUS PROCESS

Focusing on your tasks to accomplish them successfully simply involve five steps:

  1. Breathe and develop a calm, clear mind: When negative feelings or boredom comes up, notice it, then think about your work again. Breathe and stay calm.
  2. Do something that has been causing you stress: Do a prior task that worries you. It will make you feel better.
  3. Schedule time for distractions: Be This should be done at least 10-30 minutes before your specific task. aware Doing this allows you avoid constant temptation.
  4. Be aware of what environment you work best in and test them: Find where you work best. Try different places to see what’s good for you.
  5. Begin your task: Starting is the first step to getting things done. Just start, momentum will help you stay focused.

Performing these steps will enhance your ability to focus and successfully complete your tasks.

AND REMEMBER THIS…

Who you are, what you think, feel, and do, what you love – is the sum of what you focus on. This means your world is the outcome of what you pay attention to. Recognize where you are and start small. This is how you keep accomplishing tasks until you are successful.

“I will live the focused life, because It’s the best kind there is” – Winifred Gallagher (accomplished author, and writer.)

TO RECAP

To maximize your focus, you must:

  • Stop multitasking and do a task one at a time.
  • Be present in the moment and treat everything you do as important.
  • Visualize and mentally contrast where you are now and what you want to achieve.

Then to maintain focus on your tasks, you must:

  • Breathe and stay calm. When you feel bad, notice it, then think about your work again.
  • Do a prior task that worries you. It will make you feel better.
  • Plan time for fun or breaks. This helps you not get too distracted.
  • Find where you work best. Try different places to see what’s good for you.
  • Begin your specific tasks. Starting is the first step to getting things done.

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How to Stay Focused and Accomplish Your Great Work

“I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” (Nehemiah 6:3 NLT)

In a busy world with lots of things happening, being a good leader means staying really focused on what you need to do. A long time ago, Nehemiah had a big job—fixing the walls of Jerusalem. Some people tried to distract him, but he said, ‘I’m doing important work, so I can’t come. Why stop working to meet with you?’ This shows how important it is to stay determined and focused, just like Nehemiah did. We can learn a lot from his story, and it still matters for leaders like you today.

WHO WAS NEHEMIAH?

Nehemiah is a prominent figure in the Bible, particularly known for his leadership and administrative skills. His story is found in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Nehemiah where he acted as a great worker and leader during a critical period in Israelite history.

In the 20th year of Artaxerxes’ reign, Nehemiah learns about the dire condition of Jerusalem, his homeland. The city walls were in ruins, leaving the inhabitants vulnerable to attacks and making the city susceptible to disgrace. While working as a cupbearer in the Persian kingdom, Nehemiah’s heart was moved, and he felt a deep sense of responsibility to rebuild the ruined walls of Jerusalem

Nehemiah’s leadership shows us what we need for success in anything we do, like dealing with changes at work, encouraging new ideas, or solving important problems in society.

START WITH PRAYERS

When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. (Nehemiah 1:4 NLT)

 

Nehemiah was a great leader because he believed strongly in God. Before making decisions, he prayed and asked God for help. This helped him be a good leader because he made sure his actions were in line with what God wanted. His trust in God was a big part of how he led.

Times spent in prayer will allow you to approach your tasks with favour and grace. Instructions and knowledge come in the place of prayer.

 

FEAR AS A WEAPON OF THE DEVIL

The word Fear was mentioned four times in Nehemiah 6. Private messages, open letters and false instructions were sent to intimidate Nehemiah from completing his work of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

Despite facing opposition from neighbouring enemies, including Sanballat and Tobiah, Nehemiah remained steadfast and resolute. He implemented strategic defensive measures, ensuring that the people continued working on the walls while being prepared to defend themselves if necessary. His determination and courage in the face of adversity exemplify the qualities of a strong leader.

God has called you to a great work but the Devil will try to inject fear. If you don’t guard your heart in these times, fear can creep in and prevent you from completing the great work.

This is similar to how people fear thunder yet lightning does the actual destruction. Fear kills people faster than the physical damage done. Eliminating fear is important and that’s why God has given you the Spirit of power, love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)

BE CAREFUL OF WRONG ALLIANCES AND PUBLIC OPINIONS

There were attempts by Nehemiah’s adversaries, including Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, to undermine his leadership and the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. They sought to distract him from his mission by inviting him to a meeting under the guise of forming an alliance. Nehemiah, however, discerned their deceitful intentions. He recognized that entering into such alliances could compromise the integrity of his leadership and distract him from the crucial task of rebuilding the walls.

There are so many opinions and facts in the public space. And most of these opinions come from evil people and places to provide anxiety and confusion. When anxious and uncomfortable thoughts come, rebuke these thoughts immediately and pick them as a signal to quickly come back to God.

Remember there is only one Truth i.e. the Truth of God that gives you freedom. Always Seek God’s Word to know the truth.

BE OPEN TO HEARING IN THE SPIRIT

Despite facing false rumours and attempts to tarnish his reputation, Nehemiah remained steadfast. He responded firmly, stating that he was too busy with the important work at hand and would not be swayed. Nehemiah was able to discern the motives of his enemies throughout his work of rebuilding the ruined walls of Jerusalem.

Your heart must be open to perceive the voice of God. He is always speaking. When God asks you to move from one place to another, it’s not because of the fear of the enemies attacking you. It’s the confidence in what God will do for you.

When you make a decision, ask the Holy Spirit what is your underlying motive for the decision. Is it fear of the enemy or faith in God?

The devil is frightened and humiliated when you complete the work with the help of God. You must focus on the work that God gives you rather than being distracted by the antics of the devil.

WHAT IS THE GREAT WORK?

Nehemiah’s efforts were successful. The walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in an astonishingly short period of time. (The walls had not been built in 70 years but Nehemiah built them in 52 days). This was a testament to his effective leadership, organizational skills, and the unity he fostered among the people

Nehemiah’s story serves as an inspiration for leaders in various fields, emphasizing the importance of faith, vision, perseverance, and a commitment to the well-being of the community. His legacy as a great worker and leader continues to resonate in both religious and leadership contexts, making him a revered figure in the biblical narrative.

Nehemiah’s great work was to rebuild the walls and establish the gates of Jerusalem. He restored the pride of Jerusalem in 52 days.

What’s your great work? – As a believer, your great work is to establish the kingdom of God on earth.

The devil uses the same tactics of fear and intimidation today. Be aware of contradictions preventing you from establishing God’s kingdom. Focus on the great work you are sent to do.

PRAYER REMAINS THE MASTER KEY

With prayer, your spirit is more attuned to listening from God. Every major event in the scriptures started in the place of prayer.  Nothing happens by mere circumstances. As a believer, you can influence your reactions by starting with prayers. Prayers also guard you with wisdom to navigate your tasks and accomplish great work.

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          Photo by Marten Bjork on Unsplash

ALWAYS DO GOD’S WORK. IT’S THE GREAT WORK

Always wear the full armour of God and live His Word daily when establishing God’s kingdom on earth. Doing this will allow you to accomplish the great work with speed.

Establish God’s kingdom everywhere you go, including your workplace. And be rest assured that when you do God’s work, he will do your work.

Originally Written by Fredrick Osheku