Latest news with #selfimprovement
Forbes
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Forbes
The Weekend Habit For Happier, More Productive Workweeks
Making leisure crafting a weekend habit, like playing golf with friends, can recharge your mind and ... More fuel a happier, more productive workweek. It's Sunday night, and despite spending the weekend binge-watching Netflix, scrolling through social media and catching up on sleep, you feel just as drained as you did on Friday afternoon. Sound familiar? You're not alone. Most working professionals default to passive recovery as a weekend habit, hoping that rest alone will recharge their batteries for the week ahead. What you should consider instead is "leisure crafting." A study published in the Journal of Leisure Research reveals that leisure crafting, a powerful weekend habit, can boost energy and well-being by more than 150% while also improving work performance, creativity, productivity and job satisfaction. Here's what it is and how you can use this powerful weekend ritual to transform your entire workweek. What Is Leisure Crafting? Leisure crafting involves approaching free time with intentionality and a growth mindset, focusing on goal-setting, human connection, learning and personal development. Unlike passive leisure activities like watching TV or scrolling through social media, this approach actively engages your mind and builds skills. The problem with passive leisure activities is that they don't provide the psychological resources we need to truly recharge. We're essentially running in place, maintaining our current state rather than enhancing it. This approach works because it provides three key psychological benefits that passive activities don't: According to research by occupational health psychologist Dr. Sabine Sonnentag, the ability to mentally detach from work during leisure time is essential for reducing stress, preventing burnout and enhancing both well-being and job performance. As Sonnentag explains, 'detachment from work during non-work time is crucial for employee well-being and performance.' Active, engaging leisure activities—especially those that foster mastery and a sense of autonomy—are significantly more effective at promoting psychological recovery than passive rest. The Benefits of Leisure Crafting So, what exactly can you expect from this weekend habit? Here's how adopting a growth mindset in your leisure time transforms your well-being and productivity: Creative weekend activities build what psychologists call "psychological resources." When you approach leisure with a growth mindset and complete a creative project or learn a new skill, you're building confidence that fundamentally changes how you feel about yourself and your capabilities. You approach Monday morning with a stronger sense of your own abilities and a more positive mindset. Beyond the confidence boost, these activities provide immediate weekend satisfaction that passive activities don't. Instead of ending Sunday night feeling like you've wasted your time, you finish the weekend with a tangible sense of accomplishment and personal growth. The cognitive flexibility required for creative activities enhances problem-solving abilities at work. When you're used to thinking creatively during leisure time, you naturally bring that same innovative thinking to professional situations. Research shows that the positive emotions, enhanced creativity and increased self-efficacy generated through leisure activities spill over into work performance and productivity. Employees who engage in structured creative activities report higher levels of work engagement, increased innovation and greater job satisfaction. This spillover effect works both ways—when you're more engaged and productive at work, you bring that energy back to your personal creative pursuits, creating a positive feedback loop. Research participants experienced a 1.6 times greater increase in overall well-being compared to the control group. Beyond immediate satisfaction and work performance, this weekend habit addresses critical aspects of modern well-being by providing psychological detachment from work concerns, which is essential for preventing burnout. Regular creative engagement builds resilience by providing alternative sources of identity and self-worth beyond professional achievements. Dr. Petrou, the lead researcher on the leisure crafting studies, found that leisure crafting helps individuals improve their overall quality of life while also serving as a resource that enhances their performance in domains where it matters, such as at work. How To Put Leisure Crafting Into Practice The key is choosing activities that are physically and mentally engaging while providing a sense of accomplishment. These are just some examples: How To Make Leisure Crafting A Weekend Habit Building a sustainable weekend habit requires planning and a growth mindset: Schedule It: Block out specific time slots in your weekend schedule for creative activities. Treat this time as non-negotiable. Many people find Saturday or Sunday mornings work well when energy levels are high, and you can set yourself up for a productive week ahead. Create An Accessible Space: Keep your supplies visible and easily accessible. Whether it's a dedicated craft room or simply a basket of art supplies on your kitchen table, reducing friction makes follow-through more likely. Start Small: Begin with just 30 minutes of creative time per weekend. This feels manageable and helps establish the routine. As the habit becomes natural, you can gradually extend the time. Embrace Flexibility: Whether you live in a small apartment, have young children, or work irregular hours, you can adapt creative activities to fit your circumstances. For busy parents, creative activities can turn into family bonding time. For those with limited space, focus on activities requiring minimal equipment. Transform Your Next Weekend Small, intentional changes in how you spend your downtime can have significant payoffs in your work life and overall well-being. Leisure crafting as a weekend habit isn't about adding more obligations to your already busy life. It's about making your existing downtime more restorative so that you can have a more productive and satisfying workweek.
Forbes
a day ago
- Health
- Forbes
The 4-Step System That Turns Your Triggers Into Superpowers
The 4-step system that turns your triggers into superpowers Next time someone cuts you off in traffic, watch what happens. Your heart races. Your jaw clenches. Your face flushes hot with anger. That's a trigger in action. Most people let emotional reactions control them. They respond without thinking, letting feelings dictate their next move. But these trigger moments hold hidden insights for anyone willing to look deeper. Adults experience anger about 14 times per week, and roughly 30 percent report difficulty controlling it. But even brief episodes of anger can impair blood vessel function for up to 40 minutes, raising heart rate and blood pressure. You have to learn how to let it go. I used to get triggered by slow walkers. My heart would race as I rushed around people strolling leisurely through busy streets. "Don't they have somewhere to be?" I'd think. But the trigger wasn't about them. It revealed my own inability to create priority systems that would let me stay calm. Next time you get triggered by anything at all, dig into it. Figure out the true meaning. Once you find it, you're free. Most people mishandle emotional responses. They either explode with reaction or suppress their feelings entirely. Neither approach works. Suppression buries the reaction until it resurfaces stronger next time. Reaction keeps you stuck in patterns you can't spot. Everyone experiences emotional buttons being pushed. Top performers get curious when it happens. They see triggers as messengers carrying important information about themselves. Your body always knows first. Before your conscious mind registers the trigger, your physiology shifts. Some people feel a tightness in their chest. Others notice their breathing change. Your face gets hot. Your stomach knots. This physical reaction is your early warning system. When that warning system activates, pause. Notice the sensation without immediately acting on it. Simply observing "I'm feeling triggered right now" creates space between stimulus and response. The more familiar you become with your trigger signature, the sooner you can intercept automatic reactions. This is the first step to using your triggers for self-development. The quality of your insights depends on the quality of your questions. When triggered, average people ask disempowering questions like "Why is this person so annoying?" or "Why does this always happen to me?" These questions generate useless answers that keep you stuck. Questions control your focus. Questions create clarity. Once you recognize your trigger response, ask different questions. "What exactly am I responding to here?" "What does this reaction reveal about my values or assumptions?" "What's beneath this emotion?" They turn emotional reactions from annoyances into tools for self-discovery. Now you have more awareness, understand that every emotional reaction reflects something about you. Getting annoyed whenever team members question your decisions might signal a deep fear of making mistakes. Anger masks vulnerability. Your triggers reveal your blind spots so you can transform them into superpowers. Once you recognize this pattern, you can respond thoughtfully rather than defensively, and make progress like never before. Don't let everyday occurrences catch you off guard when you know exactly what's going on. Imagine every situation is holding up a mirror and delivering a lesson. Then find it. Sometimes you're triggered by what you fear becoming. Sometimes by what you secretly admire. Sometimes by what challenges your identity. The mirror never lies. Turning emotional reactions into superpowers requires a framework. When triggered, follow these steps: First, notice the physical sensation. Second, name the emotion without judgment. Third, get curious about what's underneath. Fourth, look for patterns across different triggering situations. Finally, extract the insight and decide how to apply it. With practice, this becomes automatic. You'll find yourself transforming triggers into game-changing insights in real time. What once derailed your day becomes fuel for growth. The more you practice, the faster you progress. The flywheel never stops. Learning to transform your triggers gives you an edge few people possess. You'll respond thoughtfully while others react impulsively. You'll recover quickly from setbacks while others stay stuck. You'll become insanely self-aware while others remain blind to their patterns. Notice when you get triggered. Spot the physical feeling. Ask what it's showing you. Find the mirror. Create your system. The next time something pushes your buttons, you'll be ready to transform that trigger into exactly the insight you need to move forward. Leverage those moments for growth or let them control you.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
13 Signs Your Raised Ungrateful Grown Up Children
Sometimes, waking up to reality feels like sipping lukewarm coffee—disappointing but eye-opening. You might find yourself scanning through your life, scrolling through your memories, and suddenly hit a smack of realization: your grown-up kids, whom you've poured your soul into, are a tad ungrateful. It's a hard pill to swallow, but acceptance is the first step to change. So grab another cup of coffee, but this time, let's make it strong and hot. It's not that they don't know how to use their fancy smartphones; they're almost glued to them. But when was the last time they called just to check in on you? If your phone only rings when they need a favor, there's a problem. It's like you're an on-demand service, not the nurturing parent you once thought you were. Psychologist Robert Emmons, a leading gratitude researcher, suggests that gratitude is a cultivated habit. If your kids have never been taught to appreciate the small gestures, they might just see your constant availability as a given. When they only reach out in need, it's a sign that the emotional balance is tipped unfavorably. You don't want to be the last resort, do you? Remember those late nights when you stayed up baking cookies for their school events or the countless times you played chauffeur? Those weren't just acts of obligation, but expressions of love. However, do they look back and see these acts for what they were? If your sacrifices are met with a shrug or, worse, forgotten, you might be nurturing a growing ingratitude. It's hard to fathom how easily the scales tip from thankfulness to entitlement. They might have never learned to equate effort with appreciation, living in a world that rewards self-interest. When your past sacrifices are blurred into the background noise of their lives, it's a sign something's amiss. It's time to pull those memories out and polish them in a conversation. Do they walk into your home and treat it like a hotel, expecting things to be just so? If they demand luxuries without acknowledging their privilege, it's a surefire sign of entitlement. You raised them in a world where they learned hard work equals reward, but somewhere along the line, the equation skewed. They've started equating access with deserving, and that's a slippery slope. In a study conducted by Jean Twenge and Keith Campbell, it was found that the younger generations score higher on narcissism and lower on empathy. If they believe they're special without putting in the effort, it's likely they've missed out on understanding the value of gratitude. Entitlement isn't just about asking for more, it's about not appreciating what's already there. Time to rewrite the narrative. Gratitude is free; yet, for some, it feels costly. When was the last time you received a heartfelt "thank you" for your efforts? If your kindness is met with silence, you might be raising ungrateful adults. It's not about needing praise, but about mutual respect and acknowledgment. This lack of gratitude could stem from a lack of awareness or ignorance of how their actions affect others. Sometimes, they may simply not recognize the small gestures you make every day. It's possible that gratitude was never emphasized strongly enough to be habitual. Addressing it directly might be the uncomfortable, yet necessary, wake-up call they need. If your grown-up children act without a thought to your emotional landscape, it's a red flag. When you become an afterthought in their plans, it signifies a lack of empathy. It's not just about missed birthdays or forgotten anniversaries, but the lack of consideration for your well-being. Being sidelined in their emotional calculus is painful. According to the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, empathy is a key component of a harmonious relationship. When your children ignore your emotional needs, they're missing out on a fundamental aspect of human connection. They need to understand that a relationship is reciprocal, not one-sided. It might be time for a serious heart-to-heart. Does every misstep or mistake have an external scapegoat? If your children are constantly deflecting blame, it's a sign of emotional immaturity. Life throws curveballs, but if they're consistently swinging and missing without introspection, there's trouble. Responsibility is the cornerstone of gratitude and self-awareness. When they fail to own up, they miss the growth that comes from learning from their mistakes. It fosters a dangerous pattern where accountability is absent, leading to broken relationships and professional setbacks. You want your children to learn, not just from their triumphs, but from their failures as well. It's a tough lesson, but a crucial one for them to become grounded adults. Busy lives, hectic schedules, we get it. But if they can binge a new series over the weekend but can't squeeze in a coffee with you, there's a disconnect. Time is one of the most generous gifts they can give, yet it's often the hardest to receive. If they consistently choose other obligations over you, it might be time for a reality check. According to time-use studies reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people spend more time on personal care and leisure than we realize. It's not about having hours on end, but acknowledging the value of shared moments. The essence of gratitude is making space for those who matter. If you're not on the list, it's time to have that conversation. Are you constantly feeling judged for your decisions, past or present? When grown-up kids critique your life choices, it can feel like an assault on your autonomy. They might not realize that every choice you made was with their betterment in mind. It's jarring when the roles reverse and they position themselves as the all-knowing critics. Criticism is sometimes a reflection of their own insecurities or misunderstandings. They might think they are helping, but more often than not, it just comes off as ungrateful. Encouraging open dialogue about these judgments can help them see from your perspective. Critique should be constructive, not destructive. Financial or emotional, if they run to you with every crisis and expect a rescue, it's a problem. While it's natural to want to help, the perpetuity of rescue missions signifies a lack of independence. They need to learn self-reliance, not just rely on your safety net. Consistently bailing them out only reinforces dependency. The expectation that you'll always be the one to fix things negates their personal responsibility. It fosters an unhealthy relationship dynamic where they don't develop the skills to manage life's challenges. It may be hard, but allowing them to stumble might be what they need to learn resilience. You're a parent, not a superhero. Do they show up unannounced, expecting meals and a place to crash, or demand your time without regard for your plans? This disregard for your boundaries is a stark indicator of ingratitude. Boundaries are the invisible lines that uphold mutual respect and personal space. Disrespecting them isn't just inconsiderate; it's ungrateful. It's crucial for your well-being that these boundaries are established and respected. When they overstep, it's a sign they're taking your generosity for granted. This behavior needs addressing before it erodes the relationship further. Healthy relationships are built on mutual respect, not intrusions. Everyone forgets now and then, but if they're consistently missing significant milestones in your life, it's more than just poor memory. It's a sign of where their priorities lie. When important dates pass unacknowledged, it implies a lack of significance placed on your relationship. These moments are the threads that weave the tapestry of connection. Forgetting these occasions suggests an emotional distance that might be growing between you. It's not about grand gestures, but the small acknowledgments that matter the most. If they can't remember the dates that are important to you, it may be time to have an open discussion about their priorities. Every missed moment is a missed opportunity for connection. When they reach out, is it always a hand out instead of a hand up? If they constantly seek your assistance without ever reciprocating, it suggests an imbalance. Relationships are a give-and-take, not a one-way street. A lack of reciprocity can leave you feeling like the relationship is based on obligation rather than mutual care. They might assume your resources are infinite, both emotionally and materially. Offering help is natural, but expecting it as a given skews the equilibrium. They need to learn that relationships thrive on mutual support, not just one-sided assistance. It's time they understand the value of giving back. Mistakes happen, but if "I'm sorry" is missing from their vocabulary, there's a problem. The inability to apologize suggests a lack of accountability and emotional maturity. It's not just about admitting fault, but about respecting the relationship enough to want to make amends. An apology is a small act with big implications. Apologies are the glue that mends fractures in any relationship. Without them, grudges and resentment can fester, poisoning otherwise good connections. If they struggle to say those two simple words, it might be time to model what a sincere apology looks like. Forgiveness is rooted in acknowledgment, and that starts with an apology.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
"In That Moment, My Entire View Of Life Changed": 29 Times It Only Took 1 Sentence To Alter Someone's Life Forever
Sometimes, it only takes one sentence to change everything. Maybe it's a piece of life-changing news or a random comment that totally shifts your perspective. Recently, people on Reddit shared the sentence that altered their lives forever, and I really needed to hear some of them today. Here's what people had to say: 1."You don't have to show up to every argument you're invited to." —There_5oh "Now that's a good sentence. Especially on the internet. You don't realize how many people just wanna enrage you or troll or not even trying to engage in an actual discussion" —MemeArchivariusGodi 2."Read recently: 'Better to be cringe in someone else's mind, than a prisoner in your own.'" —Leading-Fly-4597 3."'If it happens every time, it's at least a little bit your fault.' Best boss I ever had!" —Dannydimes "I've heard it said slightly differently.'If everywhere you go, you smell shit, maybe you're the arsehole.'" —Adro87 4."'Babe, you don't want him; you want him to want you.' Said to me when I was in the middle of treacherous heartbreak. She was right!" —CeleryApprehensive83 5."Words from my therapist: 'Just because you can explain their behavior, doesn't mean you should excuse their behavior.' That's when I started making plans to leave my abusive ex." —AtavisticJackal 6."My therapist said, 'Stop comparing yourself to men you don't like.'" —reesethebadger 7."'We need to talk about your drinking.' Signed up for rehab shortly after that talk, and coming up on six years sober." —mezz7778 "My husband was an alcoholic and died at 51. I'm sooooo proud of you! Quitting is torture, and you did it!!!! Congratulations!" —FlamingoTeach 8."'Be mindful of those who come to water the soil and those who come to pick the fruit.' I was ignorant most of my life and kept company that never challenged me to grow or improve as a person, or were bad influences. After hearing this, I've been very careful about who I keep close. You also learn that although people may truly want to water the soil, some are simply unable to." —xXQuePastaXx 9."'You have stage 4b T-Cell Lymphoma.' Almost died waiting for that diagnosis. I'm 43, that was 18, every day since has been affected in some way by it. 24 years in remission." —-E-Cross "Thanks for staying with us and sharing." —positiveupt Related: 23 Cute, Happy, And Wholesome Posts I Saw On The Internet This Week That You Absolutely Need To See 10."'You're being made redundant because the company is ceasing trading.' I had been there for fourteen years. I got fourteen weeks of wages as redundancy pay, which gave me time to evaluate what I wanted to do with my life. I decided to give early years education a go, as I thought it would be something I would enjoy and be good at. Turns out, I absolutely love it." "I've been doing it for over ten years now, and there's no better job. The children love me. Some parents thought it was weird having a man in preschool, others know I'm great. Every July, I send a group of children off to primary school, knowing that I have done my best for them." —Ventongimp 11."If you don't heal what hurt you, you'll bleed on people who didn't cut you." —greencurtain4 12."When my psychologist said, 'You're not paranoid if you're right,' I stopped letting myself be gaslit by my then-partner." —dumbinternetstuff 13."Emotions don't need to be resolved, just felt." —newdiyscared "Feelings need to be felt, otherwise they'd be called thinkies." —CMUpewpewpew 14."'Why are you putting up with it if you wouldn't do it to yourself?' Something my therapist said to me." —wollflourwer Related: 40 Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Creepy Wikipedia Pages 15."Your track record for making it through bad days is perfect." —epicuerean 16."If you can't say truthfully, 'I like me best when I'm with you' in a relationship, you're in the wrong relationship." —CarmenDeeJay "This is huge. Yes, it's important to like the person you're with. It's equally, if not more important, to like the version of yourself you become when you're with them." —Kathrynlena 17."If you wait until you're ready, you'll be waiting the rest of your life." —zoeywillso 18."'If being mean to yourself would do something, it would have worked already.' Read that on Reddit some time ago, and I actually stopped talking down to myself." —paprikahoernchen 19."Thank you random Tumblr stranger for saying this: 'You only think you're ugly because you aren't your type.'" —crumbopolis 20."Whether you do it or not, time will pass god damn anyway." —InternationalBody275 21."'The days are long and the years are short.' Someone told me this when I became a parent. Has helped me get perspective when the days seem too long, and also appreciate that the years will indeed fly by if you don't try to live intentionally." —Notmyrealname 22."'Closed mouths don't get fed.' I've gotten so far in my life simply by asking. Worst they can say is no 🤷🏽♂️." —playboisothea "This is it. I had never been promoted despite doing great work. Thought if I worked hard enough, my managers would advocate for me. Nope. So, I started asking for what I wanted and went from Assistant to C-Level in 5 years. Insane and NOT typical, but really cemented this in my brain as excellent advice." —youllregreddit 23."'The thing that takes off the edge also takes off the shine.' It made me slow down on my drinking to 'take off the edge' when I realized I was drinking beyond a typical, healthy amount for me." —Calm_Palms_41 24."'You put boundaries in place to protect the relationship. This means keeping people at a distance where you can still love them, and no closer.' Alleviated a lot of guilt about pushing my family away. I am able to love them still because they aren't on top of me like they used to be. Any closer and I will grow to resent them." "Also true of romantic relationships. If I can tell that someone being my romantic partner erodes the relationship between us, and reparation doesn't work, then I break up. I've found that my breakups are much less messy, and it's much easier to transition to friendship than when I dragged it out because of guilt or a sense of duty." —Practical-Ant-4600 25."'The hardest thing about being a parent is being the person you want your kids to grow up to be.' It was on the dedication page of a parenting book I started to read. I don't remember anything else from the book." —udee79 26."Don't set yourself on fire to keep others warm!!" —No_Muffin5150 "I wrote this on my mirror for a reminder and had to keep it there for over two years. I still need the reminder often." —saturatedregulated 27."'You don't have to be like your mom.' That's when I realized I had a choice and could be whoever I wanted to be." —SurlyTurtles 28."I once told a co-worker during break that I couldn't wait until Friday to be off work. It was, like, Tuesday. Her response: 'Isn't it a shame how we wish our lives away?' In that moment, my entire view of life changed. I realized that I defined every day that I worked as a bad day, instead of focusing on what I could enjoy each day. I think of that interaction often." —Just-Khaos finally, "'It only spends once.' When I had my first 'big girl job' and received a good-sized tax refund, I was rattling off all the stupid stuff I was going to buy with it. My grandmother reached over and put her hand on my arm, and said that to me. It hit me, and I've repeated it to myself a thousand times since. I think that one sentence is why I could buy a nice house at 27 and have a credit rating of 820. Thank you, Grandmother, I miss you every day." —AnitaIvanaMartini What's a sentence that's made a difference for you? Share yours in the comments or via the anonymous form below. I'll go first: my dad always says, "Don't compare your insides to other people's outsides," and man, do I need this reminder all the time. Also in Internet Finds: Lawyers Are Sharing Their Juiciest "Can You Believe It?!" Stories From The Courtroom, And They're As Surprising As You'd Expect Also in Internet Finds: 51 People Who Quickly Discovered Why Their Hilariously Clueless Partner Was Single Before Meeting Them Also in Internet Finds: People Are Sharing "The Most Believable Conspiracy Theories," And Now I'm Questioning Everything I Thought I Knew
Fox News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Quit Playing Small
Yale Law School graduate and bestselling author Mary Marantz shares her new book, Underestimated: The Surprisingly Simple Shift to Quit Playing Small, Name the Fear, and Move Forward Anyway. The book describes practical steps to achieving greatness and pushing past the lies fear creates. Mary discusses her upbringing and her father's emphasis on the importance of education. She explains how she stopped overthinking and overcame her self-doubt, which led her to find success and her true calling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
