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Boredom is the enemy of the mind. A bored mind is one that teeters on the brink of loosing its edge. OK, maybe that’s a bit of overkill, but it is certainly the enemy of writers.

You know the symptoms. You find yourself playing one too many computer games or watching one too many old reruns on TV. Instead of being productive and filling your time doing things that are useful or fulfilling, you fill your time with junk food for the mind. That’s where hobbies can come in.

Hobbies can be therapeutic — they relieve stress and get the activate the mind. In this post, you’ll find hobby ideas for every sort of person, from the intellectual to the athlete, from the homemaker to the attorney. Read more »

To memorize is to store information in your brain for reuse later. The definition of memory is the power or act of remembering. The definition of remembering is to recall, to bring back to mind by an effort. There are two kinds of memory, short-term and long-term, each stored in a separate part of the brain. All long-term memories were once stored in short-term. Giving these parts of the brain a workout through memorization games can help keep them fit and benefit you in your writing.

Most of us are born with the ability to memorize things temporarily and then forget them when they are no longer of use (there are a few conditions that break this ability). Although, it seems that some of us are better at it than others. Remember all those times in years past you studied just for the sake of passing a test and now you couldn’t pass that test if your life depended on it? This is the result of short-term memory — those memorized facts never got moved to long-term storage.

Flash cards are a well-known tool for memorization. If you are studying a foreign language, you can use flash cards to write one interpretation on one side, and the other version of the word on the other side. Children’s books often use the flash card method to tell a story that will help the child memorize. Pop-ups are a fun way to learn. Many books will use pictures of animals, toys, or even food to help a child memorize the name of a word and its proper usage. Read more »

The question of whether moods constitute bad habits is an interesting one. Many mood disorders have been identified. These and other psychological problems are seen by some as strictly bad habits.

In fact, it has been shown that continuing to dwell in your present mood perpetuates it. When you decide to pretend you are happy, studies show that you may actually improve your mood in time. This is not a hard and fast rule, but there is some indication that people do have some control over their moods.

If you’ve read The Secret, then some of this may sound familiar. Basically you attract what you think about. If you’re think yucky thoughts, then yucky comes your way.
Read more »

Guest Writer: Tommy Yan

If you’ve ever watched little children you know they are always curious, seeking excitement, adventure and even fearless when it comes to escaping boredom. But something happens to them as they journey into adulthood that robs them their spontaneity. They become adults and settle into patterns of expected behaviors.

Which isn’t all bad—but it isn’t all good…

They take residence inside comfort zones. They seldom have breakthrough ideas. And expanding the mind is replaced by an expanding waistline.

I know this because I’ve been there. I was on the wrong road. The nice thing is I didn’t stay on that road. I took an exit…

A creativity exit.

Most entrepreneurs, small business owners and solo professionals who left the corporate world to “do their own thing” find doing their own thing a hard thing to do. They have the skills and have acquired some resources, but lack the creative mindset that enables them to make consistent money every single month.

But there is good news… Read more »

I’m sure you have a bright idea hidden somewhere in the back of your mind that you just can’t wait to test out. Of course you’re not the only one with the bright idea. So what motivates you to churn those creative, or even inspiring juices to its utmost flavor?

It’s always best to set up a personal goal where you can accomplish the most in record time, maybe like mowing the lawn in an hour before the big game on TV. A correct and positive attitude in whatever you do will make things easier, and even enjoyable.

Here are some tips to make it through the week even if you’re just sitting in your favorite couch. An idea takes time to form in your head and is always at work while you are busy sitting.

Having a bit of positive thinking can help you realize things that are never thought possible.

DAY 1:
Take passionate action toward living your life by design.
Talk is cheap. Action = deposits in the bank of a passionately authentic future. Without it, passion is void. This is a perfect example where dreams are made of where you start by tinkering with your mind, then with your hands. And if the idea weakens, you can always go back to it later until you finish it. Read more »