Kaizen! Breaking tasks down into small, incremental steps…
Kaizen is a Japanese management concept for incremental (gradual, continuous) change (improvement); breaking tasks into small, manageable steps. Kaizen is also a way of life philosophy based on making little changes on a regular basis. Kaizen is about finding new, creative, and effective ways to improve one’s life…from tackling the mundane to managing our stress, to attaining our life vision.
Learn how to put Kaizen in action in your life... Live A Flourishing Life.
Have a joyful day everyone...
Rita
www.ritaschiano.com
*From Live A Flourishing Life
Monday, November 29, 2010
Words of Wisdom
Human flourishing involves the rational use of one’s individual human potentialities, including talents, abilities, and virtues in the pursuit of his freely and rationally chosen values and goals.
~ Edward W. Younkins
From Live A Flourishing Life
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Rita
www.ritaschiano.com
~ Edward W. Younkins
From Live A Flourishing Life
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Rita
www.ritaschiano.com
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Practice Gratitude
Psychological research finds that people's happiness levels are remarkably stable over the long-term. A possible explanation comes from studies in the psychology of gratitude. Yes, you read that correctly — being thankful just may be the secret to happiness.
The study* cited that people who were in the gratitude condition felt fully 25% happier — they were more optimistic about the future, they felt better about their lives.
The words "gratitude" and "grace" share a common Latin origin — gratus, meaning "pleasing" or "thankful." When you are in a deep state of gratitude, you may feel the presence of grace. Reflect on this. As we become more mindful of the present moment, we begin to recognize the things around us that we may have taken for granted.
Learning to practice gratitude is one of life's most valuable lessons. As Aristotle taught us, all virtues have value and the virtue of gratitude helps to increase feelings of satisfaction with our lives and keeps us from falling into the excess of a greedy or entitled frame of mind.**
There are many simple, yet powerful ways to practice gratitude on a daily basis.
Rita
www.ritaschiano.com
*Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377-389
**Excerpt from Live A Flourishing Life
The study* cited that people who were in the gratitude condition felt fully 25% happier — they were more optimistic about the future, they felt better about their lives.
The words "gratitude" and "grace" share a common Latin origin — gratus, meaning "pleasing" or "thankful." When you are in a deep state of gratitude, you may feel the presence of grace. Reflect on this. As we become more mindful of the present moment, we begin to recognize the things around us that we may have taken for granted.
Learning to practice gratitude is one of life's most valuable lessons. As Aristotle taught us, all virtues have value and the virtue of gratitude helps to increase feelings of satisfaction with our lives and keeps us from falling into the excess of a greedy or entitled frame of mind.**
There are many simple, yet powerful ways to practice gratitude on a daily basis.
- Thank, separately, both the cashier and the bagger at the grocery store.
- Send a hand-written thank you note when you receive a gift, however small.
- Make "thank you" a common phrase in your vocabulary.
- Keep a gratitude journal. Each night write 1-3 things for which you were grateful during the day.
Rita
www.ritaschiano.com
*Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377-389
**Excerpt from Live A Flourishing Life
Sunday, November 21, 2010
About Conflict
Conflict is a critical event in the course of a relationship. Conflict can cause resentment, hostility, and perhaps the ending of that relationship. However, conflict can be productive and lead to deeper understanding, mutual respect, and closeness.
Do you shy away from conflict? Which of the following statements may reflect your approach to conflict?
Have a joyful day everyone...
Rita
www.ritaschiano.com
Do you shy away from conflict? Which of the following statements may reflect your approach to conflict?
- My underlying anger may get out of control.
- To me, conflict is an all-or-nothing situation.
- I find it difficult to face conflict because I feel inadequate.
- I have difficulty positively asserting my views and feelings.
Have a joyful day everyone...
Rita
www.ritaschiano.com
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Characteristics Of Resilient People - 2
Adopt a "Where there's a will, there's a way" attitude
Resilient people have a penchant for learning. They have the ability to reflect upon and recognize objectively their strengths and weaknesses. This self-reflection helps them gain insight into their current circumstances, opening them to new ideas and new tactics for dealing with crises.
Resilient people have the ability to look at critical situations in a new way, finding creative approaches towards solving a problem. They recognize that life is a series of good times and not so good times, and that you need the bad to appreciate the good. Hard times build character, creating positive lessons that better equip us to cope in the future.
Have a joyful day everyone. And remember to live a flourishing life.
Rita
www.ritaschiano.com
*Excerpt from Live A Flourishing Life
Resilient people have a penchant for learning. They have the ability to reflect upon and recognize objectively their strengths and weaknesses. This self-reflection helps them gain insight into their current circumstances, opening them to new ideas and new tactics for dealing with crises.
Resilient people have the ability to look at critical situations in a new way, finding creative approaches towards solving a problem. They recognize that life is a series of good times and not so good times, and that you need the bad to appreciate the good. Hard times build character, creating positive lessons that better equip us to cope in the future.
Have a joyful day everyone. And remember to live a flourishing life.
Rita
www.ritaschiano.com
*Excerpt from Live A Flourishing Life
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
2010 APA Stress in America Findings
Since 2006, the American Psychological Association has commissioned an annual nationwide survey as part of its Mind/Body Health campaign to examine and understand the impact of stress on Americans. The results of the Stress in America survey draws attention to the serious physical and emotional implications of stress.
Yesterday (11/9/10), the APA released its findings, cautioning "stress may become a public health crisis." The survey is an indicator about the long-term impact that chronic stress may have on Americans' physical and emotional health. Psychologist Norman B. Anderson, PhD, the APA’s chief executive officer and executive vice president stated, "America is at a critical crossroads when it comes to stress and our health."
His statement is not a broad stroke. Since 2006, nearly 75% of Americans say they experience stress at levels that "exceed what they define as healthy." Stress is related to numerous chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and depression, and is a contributing factor to many leading causes of death.
"People are also saying they have difficulty implementing the changes they know will decrease their stress and improve their health," Anderson said. "Yet, our health care system is not adequately addressing this issue or providing the behavioral health treatments that can help Americans. All of us, including the medical community, need to take stress seriously since stress could easily become our next public health crisis."
To learn more about how you can decrease stress in your life, please visit my web site, www.liveaflourishinglife.com.
Have a joyful day everyone. And remember to live a flourishing life.
Rita
www.ritaschiano.com
Yesterday (11/9/10), the APA released its findings, cautioning "stress may become a public health crisis." The survey is an indicator about the long-term impact that chronic stress may have on Americans' physical and emotional health. Psychologist Norman B. Anderson, PhD, the APA’s chief executive officer and executive vice president stated, "America is at a critical crossroads when it comes to stress and our health."
His statement is not a broad stroke. Since 2006, nearly 75% of Americans say they experience stress at levels that "exceed what they define as healthy." Stress is related to numerous chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and depression, and is a contributing factor to many leading causes of death.
"People are also saying they have difficulty implementing the changes they know will decrease their stress and improve their health," Anderson said. "Yet, our health care system is not adequately addressing this issue or providing the behavioral health treatments that can help Americans. All of us, including the medical community, need to take stress seriously since stress could easily become our next public health crisis."
To learn more about how you can decrease stress in your life, please visit my web site, www.liveaflourishinglife.com.
Have a joyful day everyone. And remember to live a flourishing life.
Rita
www.ritaschiano.com
Monday, November 8, 2010
Characteristics Of Resilient People - 1
It is the very nature of life to strive to continue in being.
Since this continuance can be secured only by constant renewals,
life is a self-renewing process.
~ John Dewey
The ability to bounce backSince this continuance can be secured only by constant renewals,
life is a self-renewing process.
~ John Dewey
How quickly we bounce back from crises and tragedy is dependent on how resilient we are. Sometimes, however, our lack of understanding about our life experiences — or habits that don’t serve us — keeps us from adapting when new stresses affect us. As we reflect upon and come to terms with our personal history, and take steps to adjust the undermining attitudes and habits, the greater will be our ability to bounce back quickly.
*Excerpt from Live A Flourishing Life
Have a joyful day everyone...
Rita
www.ritaschiano.com
Friday, November 5, 2010
Seriously, now...who falls for this?
I must get an e-mail similar to the one below at least 4 times a week. Seriously, now...who falls for this stuff? Obviously many people do if thousands of cretins continuously spam this crap.
Oh, and by the way...
Rita
www.ritaschano.com
Hello my dear,
I wish to contact you personally for a business transaction/Investment proposal of GBP£10,000,00 (Ten Million British Pounds Sterling) hopefully that you will respond
positively to this investment proposal.
I need a reliable, honest and capable person who will be able to handle this transaction. hence I am contacting you, and I believe that you will never turn down my request. I am the chief executive of cooperate,Halifax Bank of Scotland, United Kingdom.
With your sincere assistant and co-operation, we can finalize this transaction, and be rest assured that this deal is worth taking and highly profitable. At this moment, I will not issue the details of this transaction until your positive response is granted.
For further correspondence regarding this business proposal, send your
response to E-mail :(mr.petercumming10001@gmail.com) for more details or
ring me on E-mail for further discussion on this.
Thanks for your attention.
Kind regards.
Mr.Peter Cummings.
Chief executive cooperate,
Bank Of Scotland Plc.
HBOS Plc
mr.petercumming10001@gmail.com
Oh, and by the way...
- You did not overpay the IRS $186.30
- Neither Steve Jobs nor Bill Gates is going to send you a check for $100 for passing on an e-mail
- Your friend or relative most likely did not get robbed in London and does not need an emergency loan of $1,000 wired to the account included in the e-mail
- You did not win the Irish Sweepstakes
Rita
www.ritaschano.com
Hello my dear,
I wish to contact you personally for a business transaction/Investment proposal of GBP£10,000,00 (Ten Million British Pounds Sterling) hopefully that you will respond
positively to this investment proposal.
I need a reliable, honest and capable person who will be able to handle this transaction. hence I am contacting you, and I believe that you will never turn down my request. I am the chief executive of cooperate,Halifax Bank of Scotland, United Kingdom.
With your sincere assistant and co-operation, we can finalize this transaction, and be rest assured that this deal is worth taking and highly profitable. At this moment, I will not issue the details of this transaction until your positive response is granted.
For further correspondence regarding this business proposal, send your
response to E-mail :(mr.petercumming10001@gmail.com) for more details or
ring me on E-mail for further discussion on this.
Thanks for your attention.
Kind regards.
Mr.Peter Cummings.
Chief executive cooperate,
Bank Of Scotland Plc.
HBOS Plc
mr.petercumming10001@gmail.com
Thursday, November 4, 2010
What Do We Mean By "To Flourish..."
To live a flourishing life is to live in the mean, to live in balance between the excesses and the deficiencies. We do this by:
www.liveaflourishinglife.com.
Have a joyful day everyone...
Rita
www.ritaschiano.com
- uncovering and embracing the attitudes and habits that serve us
- identifying and eliminating those habits that do not
- recognizing signs our body is under stress
- discovering our stress triggers
- acquiring, developing, and honing our resilience skills and attitudes
www.liveaflourishinglife.com.
Have a joyful day everyone...
Rita
www.ritaschiano.com
Monday, November 1, 2010
The Process of Change
To successfully develop and implement a stress management and resilience-building plan, one must be committed to the change process. Change is not easy; old habits die hard. Change is especially hard when a behavior or attitude is longstanding, or involves an addictive substance. (Just ask anyone attempting to quit smoking.) And change is stressful.
Change requires:
Have a joyful day everyone...
Rita
www.ritaschiano.com
Change requires:
- thinking differently
- acting differently, and
- commitment.
Have a joyful day everyone...
Rita
www.ritaschiano.com
Live A Flourishing Life Workshops
Do you want to live a better life − a life where stress is reduced and managed; a life replete with loving friendships; a life guided by optimism and courage? In other words, a life that flourishes?
To live a flourishing life™ is to live an examined life. To do so, you begin by exploring, recognizing, and understanding the habits and attitudes that serve you, and those that do not serve you. And then, step-by-step, you make a determined effort to change those attitudes and behaviors by developing a doable action plan.
My workshops and private coaching sessions offer insight and assistance, enabling you to work through the obstacles that stand in your way, and guide you towards actionable, positive changes that will affect all areas of your life.
To learn more about Live A Flourishing Life™ workshops and private coaching, contact me directly via e-mail at rita@ritaschiano.com or visit my web site www.ritaschiano.com.
To live a flourishing life™ is to live an examined life. To do so, you begin by exploring, recognizing, and understanding the habits and attitudes that serve you, and those that do not serve you. And then, step-by-step, you make a determined effort to change those attitudes and behaviors by developing a doable action plan.
My workshops and private coaching sessions offer insight and assistance, enabling you to work through the obstacles that stand in your way, and guide you towards actionable, positive changes that will affect all areas of your life.
To learn more about Live A Flourishing Life™ workshops and private coaching, contact me directly via e-mail at rita@ritaschiano.com or visit my web site www.ritaschiano.com.
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