Innerzine.com

You Don't Have To Ask Permission How To Live Your Life

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:04:56 +0100

Perhaps when you were a child, you need to ask permission to grown ups if you can do this and that, since you were still young and needs guidance.

But as an adult, though it’s true that you need some advice or tips on some problems or decisions in your life, but that’s not to say that you should let others run your life for you; you have to live your own life.

Let’s see, what are the common scenarios wherein unconsciously, you have to "ask permission"? a) You’re forced to follow the crowd--you’re too damn afraid of being yourself b) You’re waiting for others’ validation that indeed, you’re also good enough to audition /take classes for that singing/ acting/ programming/ art class. c) Actually, there are a hundred things you’ve always
wanted to try (blind date, scuba diving, foreign language, yoga) but oh no, you often think, "What will my friends, colleagues, neighbors will say?"

Well, you know what--you don’t need to ask permission; the best person to say yes is yourself!

So, what’s keeping you from pursuing those interests you wanted to get your hands on? You don’t know how--how will you even know if you don’t even try? Don’t forget that everyone of us starts as a beginner. True, that some humans are really gifted at something since birth, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t try improving with practice and perseverance. What you may lack in inborn talent, you can offset with sheer patience and practice.

You may also make excuses like, "what if they laugh at me?", "I’m sure many won’t approve", or What will they say? Totally accept what you really want--even though you know you cannot have it...yet. What’s true for now doesn’t mean that it’s always going to be that way forever. Certain circumstances have a way of changing. For now, write your ultimate dream in a secret (no matter how grandiose, impossible, ambitious it may seem) or tell someone about it.

Major life’s decisions are not always easy, but you have to choose what makes you happy--and live it...even if it means shocking others in the process.

About the author. Amy Twain is a successful Self Improvement Coach who has been helping and coaching individuals for many years. Amy now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Innerzine.com. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become more self confident and successful.

Ways To Improve Your Working Relationships

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 03:04:01 +0100

Each one of us is unique in our own different ways. And this is true especially with your colleagues at work. That said, how do you improve your working relationships?

1) Be a blessing and acknowledge your co-workers. Don’t simply pretend--listen when they talk to you and give them your full attention. You don’t have to force yourself to talk to them regularly, but try to be positive when interacting with them. There are times when a colleague is having a bad day, and even a mere smile or compliment can help a terrible day bearable.

2) Your working relationships are important, so respect your colleagues’ working space. Respect your co-workers’ need for space since you all have your own specific deadlines and pressures. Be mindful of your colleagues’ need to concentrate, especially if you have to interrupt them--and make it brief.

Also, minimize being too loud, as noise can distract others. Take note that everyone in the workplace got their own working styles according to their preferences and comfort level. Respect others as much as you want others to respect you also for better working relationships.

3) Do your job as best as you can. That’s why you’re paid--to do your job as best as you can, so don’t look for an easy way out, especially asking a workmate to do a part of your task; it would be unfair. Your boss expects you to carry out your duties and responsibilities, so don’t try to take advantage of your officemates just so that you can sit pretty in your desk all day long. Be fair enough to do your own share of responsibility.

4) Help out and give some appreciation. You can also be considerate and offer to help your workmates if you sense that they need some assistance in their tasks (especially when you have new hires in your organization). Be patient enough with them and remember that you perform various tasks and not everyone have your expertise and vice versa. Also, show some appreciation if you see that a co-worker is improving--it helps to improve working relationships and boost employee morale.

About the author. Amy Twain is a successful Self Improvement Coach who has been helping and coaching individuals for many years. Amy now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Innerzine.com. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become more self confident and successful.

5 Ways On How To Motivate Yourself

Mon, 8 Mar 2010 04:38:19 +0100

There are good days and bad days, and those in-between, wherein it’s neither good or bad, but simply those ho-hum days which makes you feel bored and not wanting to do anything at all. Well, it’s time to be proactive and start to motivate yourself.

Here are some tips:

1) Instead of thinking or talking about it, DO it! Turn your to-do lists into to-done list. The best things and goals doesn’t materialize just by thinking or talking about it. Act on it! And don’t think about those things which you can’t do--you don’t want to attract bad vibes.

2) Though it’s always not easy to do, try your best to stay focused on what you should be doing. Concentrate on goal at a time, making them more realistic and attainable. Don’t try to overwhelm yourself with too many tasks in one day.

3)� Leave your problems/personal issues at the door. Whatever it is you’re trying to do/ achieve within the day. Stop making excuses on why you can’t--try focusing on what you can do right NOW. You have to do what you can do at the moment.

4) Heard what they say about following your gut feel? Well, grab that confidence in what you believe feels right and follow it. There must be a reason why you feel strongly about something. And more often than not, they always serve for your best purpose.

5) Put in a lot of effort into something you truly want to desire and achieve. Motivate yourself in figuring out how to materialize your dreams into reality. Don’t regret or complain about the hard work that goes with pursuing your dream because in the end, you know it’s going to be worth it.

And speaking of how to motivate yourself, I have a new ebook coming out soon, entitled, "Goldmine to Success"--watch out for that.

About the author. Amy Twain is a successful Self Improvement Coach who has been helping and coaching individuals for many years. Amy now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Innerzine.com. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become more self confident and successful.

You Can Still Be Beautiful Without Make Up

Thu, 4 Mar 2010 07:31:02 +0100

There are enviable women who look effortlessly good even without makeup on. But there are still the less fortunate ones who really need the wonders of makeup just to look good. But with or without makeup, it’s your choice, and it’s your face anyway.

I was browsing recently, and I stumbled upon a beauty website and there’s a question posted on how to be beautiful without make up on. Okay, now that’s a good one--aside from being economical, females these days want to be more natural. Well, maybe she means that she doesn’t really want to be totally bare-faced (like going out of your house looking the same way like you just woke up in your bed). This person wants to be resourceful on making the most of her natural beauty minus the complexities of make up.

The most important thing (and the basic) when it comes to beauty rituals is, apply some moisturizer before retiring to sleep, wash your face ONLY twice daily; once after waking up and the other before going to bed. For your skin, keep it hydrated by drinking 8-10 glasses a day and apply ample amount of lotion. And oh, don’t forget the sunblock before stepping out of your homes, most especially from 10 am to 3 pm--usually this is when sunshine is at its mightiest (and harmful) peak.

Just trust those beauty products which only works for you. What may work for your friend may spell zits and breakouts to your skin since we hall have different skin tones--and you should know your skin tones to determine what works for you.

And finally, have enough sleep (like 8 hours the least) so that you’ll feel refreshed waking up in the morning. And don’t forget to smile--this is the best and instant beautifier which makes you the skin to soul beauty everyone will admire!

About the author. Amy Twain is a successful Self Improvement Coach who has been helping and coaching individuals for many years. Amy now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Innerzine.com. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become more self confident and successful.

The 3 Faces Of Low Self Esteem

Wed, 3 Mar 2010 03:54:23 +0100

Do you have a feeling that you have low self esteem? Actually, there are 3 faces of low self esteem. See for yourself if you share one of the following traits:

Let’s see, are you:

1) The Phony One? From the name itself, the fake one. The Great Pretender. His successful and happy exterior is just a front, a facade to mask his true colors of his fear of failure. These phonies are the ones who are pathetic enough to live their lives in quiet dread that one day they would be "found out". They are the types which needs their self esteem to be validated; they need accomplishments and victories to further hide their feelings of insecurity and self-doubt. And the saddest thing is, they don’t think they deserve their success; they believe it was due to luck instead of their own skills.

2) The Rebel. These are the types who live in constant anger. Rebels are those who blame others and the world for all the wrong things which going on in their lives--and this can occasionally make them the iconoclastic, law-breaking, resisting-authority kind. They have the "who cares" attitude, apathetic to people’s opinions. Yet deep inside, they may feel that they themselves are not good enough.

3) The Victim/Loser. These are the ones who are the pathetic kind, continuously living in misery, perennially depending on others for love, support and validation. Victims are like little children, who can’t (or are afraid) of making their own decisions. Thus, making them immature who lack assertiveness, making them underachievers. Always waiting to be rescued, losers/victims come from all walks of life and regardless of their lifestyles, age, gender or careers.

More self esteem topics like this one, can be found at my maiden ebook, "Fabulous Self Esteem". About the author. Amy Twain is a successful Self Improvement Coach who has been helping and coaching individuals for many years. Amy now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Innerzine.com. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become more self confident and successful.

Choose What Works For You When It Comes To Staying Motivated

Tue, 2 Mar 2010 08:59:50 +0100

When it comes to tons of tips and self improvement advice (usually online), you may be confused of what to follow especially when it comes to motivation genre. Take note that we are all created differently, and what works for me may not work out for you. The best advice in staying motivated? Just stick to whatever works for you. No complications--less is more.

Take all advice with a grain of salt and don’t think twice of discarding advice which doesn’t work for you. People can get motivated differently, and for example, about how to go about your tasks during your work days. Remember that gurus are not immuned to their own personal styles on working techniques which also work for them--but may not be working for you.

Like with this example if you should do easy tasks first, or do difficult tasks first?

Just like working out in the gym, some gurus suggest a little "warm up" of doing easy tasks first. Usually in the morning, you can choose tasks which doesn’t really demand a lot of thinking; I know some people who profess that they’re "not a morning person" and they can’t handle "heavy" work early in the morning, since their brains need some warming up before getting into the "main event"--which is the difficult tasks.

On the other hand, there are also experts who suggest finishing on the difficult projects early on within the day, so that you can breathe a sigh of relief soon after, since a large chunk of "burden" is already done. Yes, this may work for some so that it’s going to be a breeze after it’s over.

In the end, there is still no wrong choice and you have to figure out what works best for you when it comes to staying motivated when it comes to your working happiness. Speaking of being motivated, watch out for my upcoming ebook which is about success and motivation, entitled "Goldmine to Success".

About the author. Amy Twain is a successful Self Improvement Coach who has been helping and coaching individuals for many years. Amy now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Innerzine.com. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become more self confident and successful.

Prepare Your Resume And Ace That Interview!

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 04:50:31 +0100

In job interviews, you have to be prepared, for you are not the only one on the hot seat; the interviewer on his part may also have some reservations on his own about hiring new employees. As an interviewee, you may always get nervous like it’s the first time. (despite how many interviews you’ve had) But did you know that job interviewers may also feel the same? Well, not in the same way of feeling nervous like you, but in the amount of responsibility that entails; the interviewer may feel there’s a heavy pressure on his shoulders choosing the right person for the job. After all, they don’t want to make the wrong decision, right?

That’s why YOU--as the interviewee, you got to make him/her feel that you’re the right man for the job. Pay close attention to your resume before you hand it in. Take note that the interviewer is basing a lot on your resume before he even saw you in person for the interview. Your resume is the first prospective connection between you and the employer. Your resume is also something she holds on to, assessing early on if you’re a competent candidate qualified enough for an interview.

When you prepare your resume, makes sure it is something which tells the manager, "I’m the person you’re looking for" or something to that effect.

Okay, so what happens if your resume does not enlist the experiences that the company is looking for? You can always offset by citing specific examples of your strengths and/or contributions you’ve done to your company. You can indicate in your cover letter which begins with positive phrases like, "I’m at my best when... then continue with describing a specific situation wherein you
used your strengths to the max, and how the company can make the most of these strengths, so that you’ll definitely be an asset and what you can contribute to the company is highly valued.

When you’re called for an interview, be prepared to cite 3 concrete examples of how you utilized these strengths and how you know it would help.� About the author. Amy Twain is a successful Self Improvement Coach who has been helping and coaching individuals for many years. Amy now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Innerzine.com. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become more self confident and successful.

Who Says That You're Not Beautiful?

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:50:51 +0100

How many times have we been told not to compare ourselves to others? Well, it’s a total waste of time and energy to do so. Why not compare yourself to someone you really knew all along...yourself, no less! It’s a world of comparisons out there, as they say, and there’s simply no thrill watching others live their lives comparing to yours.� If you find others prettier than you, you’ll only be wrapped up in insecurity and you find ways of keeping up with them. Ditto with finding yourself more attractive than others; you’ll feel conceited and vainglorious.

Well, why not celebrate yourself instead? Revel in the joys of beauty, and your not-so pretty features as well--accept and love yourself no matter what. There’s only one you in this universe, and at the end of the day, we only got ourselves to deal with, so you got to be nice to yourself.

Who says that you’re not beautiful? As compared to whom? You only deem yourself as ’unpretty’ if you begin to compare yourself to others who are more of different features than you. There’s no universal law that the standard beauty must look like this and that. That you got to have the ideal symmetrical oval face to achieve that perfect photogenic looks. That your hair must be straight to attract any guy’s attention. Screw that theory and society’s so-called "standards of perfection". Curly-haired girls are similarly attractive too. It’s just a matter of styling your hair that best suits your facial structure.

We can always look attractive in our own special ways.

Beauty is oh so subjective, and if you think you’re beautiful, then who are they to contest what you think of yourself?� About the author. Amy Twain is a successful Self Improvement Coach who has been helping and coaching individuals for many years. Amy now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Innerzine.com. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become more self confident and successful.

How To Keep Your Job No Matter What

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:26:51 +0100

These days of dwindling economy, what’s even tougher than not landing your dream job, is not having a job at all.� The good news is-- yes, you can keep your job--even in a bad economy.

One best strategy� is to be an irreplaceable employee at work. This means that be the person your company can’t live without. So, take on any kind of responsibility, don’t wait to be asked and most importantly, in this day and age of downsizing, keeping your job means not sticking out your "that’s-not-part-of-my-work" attitude.

Be the indispensable, go-to guy who knows what to do who willingly accepts tasks without being told. Make them feel that you have what it takes to stay on the company, that you know a lot about the organization, your products, your clients/customers. Try your best that your manager can’t replace you for the same or less money.

However, this doesn’t mean that you get to keep some crucial information to yourself alone. What I mean is, you got to acquire some skills which no one else has. You can be one step ahead of your colleagues if you know that their strengths and weaknesses, and if they need assistance with this and that. Now you can base your knowledge to back up your ideas and decisions. Also, with your knowledge, you can even train your fellow workers--that makes you even more needed.

Keeping your job may also mean doing some extra (yet significant) work like proofreading communication stuff like memos, fixing computers, fax machines, or copiers.

So, isn’t this another reason why you should start fixing stuff and acquiring
technical skills already?� About the author. Amy Twain is a successful Self Improvement Coach who has been helping and coaching individuals for many years. Amy now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Innerzine.com. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become more self confident and successful.

Be The Classy Woman You Always Want To Be!

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:18:11 +0100

The classy woman...ah, the dream girl most men desire, the envy of other girls. Being classy is not only synonymous to style, elegance and poise, but also about projecting confidence and becoming a woman of substance others will respect.

You don’t have to be born with it; to be a classy woman, you can work on it. Yes, it’s always never too late! Class transcends age, cultures, lifestyles even social status. You can start now:

-Practice good posture. For starters, this is the easiest and cheapest way to confidence--don’t slouch. Just remind yourself to stand tall and chin up. Plus, you’ll look taller too.

-Be nice, behave. It’s true why they say good girls always finish first. You can’t put a good girl down.� That’s why you gotta choose your friends...and your battles carefully. If some people are rude to you, ignore them completely. You can also treat them with polite dislike--but let them subtly feel that you’re not amused by what they’re doing. Don’t argue with them with your hot temper--you don’t want to stoop down to their level. A classy woman always keeps her composure.

-Mind your words. Speaking of politeness, stay calm and avoid talking too loudly. If you do, people would think you’re dying for attention. Be considerate of everyone around you; during social gatherings, always make eye contact with people you’re speaking to. Classy women don’t use swear words all the time, and avoid making racist remarks--even as a joke; you may offend some with mixed ancestry.

Smile and be friendly; your smile is the best and the most natural accessory you can use. It brightens your face and keeps people at ease--even if it looks forced. Be nice and friendly with your inferiors, the people below your social class (people who serve you--waiters, drivers). You know that someone was brought up properly by the way they treat people under them, and not just their equals.

More than your appearance, the classy woman is about the right values and treating people the way you want to be treated.

About the author. Amy Twain is a successful Self Improvement Coach who has been helping and coaching individuals for many years. Amy now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Innerzine.com. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become more self confident and successful.

Some Quick Happy Fixes To A Happier Day At Work

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:38:54 +0100

It’s normal that we tend to get unhappy, tired or simply unmotivated to work every once in a while. As I was browsing the Net lately, I came upon some employees’ some quick happy fixes on how to combat a dreary or unmotivated day at the workplace. And here are some of what I found out:

-Have a song for the day and hum it as you leave your house and enter your office. Choose your song of the day and cue it on your Ipod and play it on as you walk your way to work, driving in your car, or riding the elevator up to your office. Work happens best if you start it with a smile.

-Never underestimate the power of chocolates. Eating anything sweet (like chocolates) can help boost your mood. It contains serotonin which is also known as an anti-depressant. So have it on hand when you need a mood-lifter. And don’t forget to share some with your workmates and share the happiness in the workplace!

-Have a tea break, have a pause at work. You can buy a glass teapot with an infuser, and you can share your little tea party with colleagues as a way to ’exhale’ in between office hours, especially at 3 pm. It’s a healthier alternative from a hectic day and it’s also a great way to bond with co-workers.

-Take a walk. During your break time, why not get up from your desks and cubicles and take a walk outside your office, in the hallway, or even outside the building? You don’t have to linger for long; even a 30-40 minute leisure walk out there can enable you to return to your workstations a renewed and re-energized you!

About the author. Amy Twain is a successful Self Improvement Coach who has been helping and coaching individuals for many years. Amy now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Innerzine.com. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become more self confident and successful.

Take The Initiative And Ask For Feedback From Your Boss

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:56:05 +0100

As an employee, you can always ask for feedback frequently. When it comes to your career, sometimes it takes some initiative to gain leverage. How many of you made the mistake of thinking, "I don’t know how I’m exactly doing since my boss/supervisor never gives me feedback"? Oh come on, you know that you exactly know how you are doing in the workplace. If you feel strongly positively about your work performance, then naturally, you just want to hear him recognize and acknowledge your performance. However, if you
don’t feel at all positive about your job, then think about improving your performance and giving your best contribution to the organization.

Still, ask your boss for it. It shows your concern for your work. And of course, tell your boss also that you sincerely like to hear about his evaluation of how well you’re doing in your work. If you do this, the boss may even be impressed with this initiative and will be more than willing to give you time in assessing you.

If you’re in a service industry, you can even ask for feedback from your clients or customers. Ask them how you’re faring in how you serve them, in your business as a whole, etc.; more so if you’re just new in your business. Whatever their feedback is, you can trust that it’s reliable and affirming. If their response is negative, then ask them in what areas you can improve more and if they can give some suggestions and comments.

Asking for feedback is actually very helpful for the development of your career and business.

About the author. Amy Twain is a successful Self Improvement Coach who has been helping and coaching individuals for many years. Amy now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Innerzine.com. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become more self confident and successful.

You Can Look Beautiful Everyday

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:42:15 +0100

It’s only natural for women to want to look beautiful, since they (I mean, we, are God’s fairest creatures). In your own special ways, you can look beautiful every single day. Notwithstanding age, race, lifestyle or culture, it’s every woman’s right to feel good about herself.

Here are some tips:

-If you want the feeling of beauty from your waking moment till you retire to sleep, then choose cute pajamas.

-Give yourself ample time (like, 45 minutes) to spoil yourself daily--this is your "Me Time". Tell yourself you deserve it coz rewarding yourself works.

-They say that your hair is your crowning glory, so always take care of it.

Notice how hair plays a significant part of your face and your entire image. Hair really can make a person’s face look different if styled or cut differently. Know the right hairstyle for your face shape.

-Be mindful of your fashion sense also. Dress your age and dress appropriately for every occasion. Don’t underdress, likewise,
don’t overdress--people will resent it. The same goes for your make-up. It should go along well with your outfit and the occasion.

-Learn how to apply make up on your own. Your most trusted friend here is the concealer. As the name obviously suggests, it conceals flaws (spots, blemishes, zits, eyebags, pimples) and you must have it in your purse at all times.�

-And head for your nearest spa for some relaxing and rejuvenation. After a hard day’s work, you deserve all the pampering in the world! You work hard and you play hard, it’s time to cash in and reap the rewards of your labor.

Dying for more eternal beauty tips? Check out my ebook, Skin to Soul Beauty. About the author. Amy Twain is a successful Self Improvement Coach who has been helping and coaching individuals for many years. Amy now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Innerzine.com. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become more self confident and successful.

Yes, You Can Look Hot In Photos!

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 08:04:52 +0100

Of course, not all of us are born beautiful or photogenic for that matter, but there are still some techniques on how to look good in some pictures.

Here are some researched camera tricks courtesy of becomegorgeous.com.

-Want to appear taller--then stand straight in the picture to highlight your lovely posture.
-To avoid getting a double chin, look at the camera and try not to look down.
-If picture is being taken from below, to avoid revealing your nostrils (and a double chin), look down and lean your head a little bit.
-Want to look slimmer on photos? If you’re sitting down, stand slightly sideways, like 45 degrees. Then position your waist fronting the photog.
- Want your shot to appear more well-balanced? then stand aligned to the camera’s lens.
-heart-shaped face? For a better angle shot, still, lean your head a little bit.

Always Remember:

-Have a face powder on hand for quick retouches and touch ups every now and then. And for preventing shiny face. It’s a must-have for every woman. You’ll never know when a photo-op would come up. In this day and age of digicams and quick facebook uploads in the Internet, it’s best to come
prepared, especially for the not-so-photogenic. No face powder? Then you can always wipe your face (especially the oily areas like the nose) with a tissue.

-Naturally, you can always look hot in photos if you think happy thoughts to come up with a nice aura all around you, so that your smile would appear more natural. �

� About the author. Amy Twain is a successful Self Improvement Coach who has been helping and coaching individuals for many years. Amy now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Innerzine.com. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become more self confident and successful.

Signs That You're Unhappy At Work

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 04:17:07 +0100

Do you feel happy in your job? There are tell-tale signs of unhappiness in the workplace. Check out if you’re feeling these stuff:

1) You’re always procrastinating at work. This is by far one of the obvious signs of unhappiness in the workplace. When you feel unmotivated, it’s only natural that you don’t feel the energy to move about and carry out your tasks, so you keep on postponing it. And if ever you finish your task, you’re always rushing it to make it and hit the deadline, very often producing very haphazard results.

2) You really feel that working hours are long. Do you find yourself constantly checking your watch (or the wall clock) wishing that it’s time to say goodbye to your workmates? You already feel trapped in your job and by the time you enter the office, you count the hours and minutes till it’s time to punch the clock and get home.

3) You spend the night before feeling anxious about working the next day. It’s one of the clear indications of being unhappy at work. If you find yourself worrying and not feeling worry-free in your ’supposed to be’ rest day/s, then you’re experiencing the symptoms of unhappiness at work. Your day/s off must be a time to detach yourself from work and instead relax your mind;
but if you’re still stressed and uptight about your job and you’re extending it to your holidays, then it can be a sign.

These are taken from my ebook, The Happy Worker. Check it out for the complete list of signs of unhappiness in the workplace.

About the author. Amy Twain is a successful Self Improvement Coach who has been helping and coaching individuals for many years. Amy now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Innerzine.com. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become more self confident and successful.