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Fort Wayne Site-of-the-Day

Guy Time & Guy Space

From the AOM Blog:

The Decline of Male Space

Posted: 10 Jan 2010 07:42 PM PST

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Once upon a time, the world belonged to men.

Literally.

Because men had exclusive power in both private and public life, they controlled their surrounding environment and the way in which space was designed and decorated. Consequently, the world was once a very masculine place.

Thankfully, we’ve made progress in the area of gender equality and women have brought their influence to bear in both the home and the workplace. However, as with many other areas of modern life, the pendulum has swung from one extreme to the other; instead of creating a world that’s friendly to both male and female space, we’ve created one that benefits female space at the expense of male space.

What’s behind the decline in male space and the proliferation of female space? It’s actually a complex and interesting story that goes all the way back to 18^th century. Below we’ll explore some of the factors that have contributed to the near eradication of male space in both public and private life.

Decline of Male Space in the Public Sphere

For most of humanity, the public sphere was solely a man’s domain. Up until as far as the 19^th century, it wasn’t even appropriate for women to visit outside the home without a man accompanying her.

However, in the last 100 years, areas designated as male space have shrunk because of changes in attitudes towards gender and anti-discrimination laws.

In this section we discuss five public spaces that were once exclusively for men: the workplace, the bar, the barbershop, the gym, and the fraternal lodge/social club.

The workplace. Perhaps the largest male space in public life was the workplace. For many families in the West, the Industrial Revolution created a strict division of labor where men worked in a factory or office and women stayed home to take care of the children. If women did work, they largely did so in “female” industries like textile factories. As a result, the workplace was a predominately male space with rules and a culture that favored male sensibilities.

When women started to enter the workforce in greater numbers during the 1950s and 60s, many men saw it as an encroachment into their space and resorted to crude sexual harassment as a way to keep women “in their place.” Thanks to laws during the Civil Rights era and an increasing sensitivity and desire by businesses to create non-hostile workplaces, such harassment is seen for what it is and shunned by most males today.

The Bar. For centuries, a man could visit a bar and be in the exclusive presence of other men. Because drinking was seen as a corrupting influence on the “purity and innocence” of women, bars were completely off limits to ladies (exceptions were made for prostitutes, of course). Out of the presence of women and children, men could open up more and revel in their masculinity over a mug of cold ale. However, the bar as a men’s only hangout would quickly see its demise during the dry years of Prohibition.

By banning alcohol, Prohibition forced drinking underground. Speakeasy owners, desperate to make a buck, accepted all drinkers into their establishments, regardless of gender. Moreover, the economic and political empowerment women experienced during the 1920s and 30s made drinking by women more acceptable. By the time Prohibition was repealed, the female presence at the local watering hole had become a common appearance.

World War II only further eroded the male exclusivity of bars and pubs. As more women entered the workforce, it became acceptable to socialize with their male co-workers in taverns and lounges after work.

Today, there aren’t many bars around that cater only to men (gay bars being an obvious exception). Instead, bars have become a place where the sexes come together to mingle and look for a special someone (even if just for the night.)

Barbershops. Back in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries, barbershops were bastions of manliness, and one could be found on every corner. At the barbershop, a man could get a sharp haircut, enjoy a relaxing shave, and take part in some manly banter with his barber and the other customers. Unfortunately, several factors led to the decline of barbershops. Perhaps the biggest factor was the rise of the unisex salon. Places like “SuperCuts,” which were neither beauty salons nor barbershops, catered to both men and women. Many states’ licensing boards accelerated this trend by ceasing to issue barber licenses altogether in favor of offering a unisex “cosmetologist” license to all those seeking to enter the hair cutting profession.

Unlike the bar or workplace, the barbershop hasn’t been infiltrated by women; most ladies prefer the salon and wouldn’t dream of having Old George take the clippers to their head. Rather, barbershops have simply become harder to find. Even if you do find one, don’t be surprised if Old George has been replaced with Georgia.

Boxing Clubs and Gyms. Like bars, boxing clubs and gyms were once exclusively male-only haunts. In the time of women-free gyms, men could focus solely on building their bodies and not worry about impressing the ladies. They were dark, dingy places, that smelled of sweat and exhaustion. Free from the sound of Lady Gaga blasted over the speakers, the only noise was of grunts and the clanging of weights. However, in response to the women’s movement, many states and cities passed ordinances prohibiting male-only businesses and clubs. As a result, women advanced on gyms along with step classes and leotards.

Despite these anti-discrimination ordinances, many states have overlooked the proliferation of female-only gyms like Curves that have opened up across the country. Even when men bring lawsuits challenging these all-women establishments, they’re often dismissed. This unfortunate double standard has only aided in the decline of male space and the rise of female space.

Old school boxing clubs have also been in decline for several years. For many men growing up in the 1920s and 1930s, visiting the boxing gym as a boy was as normal as playing video games is for boys of today. The decline in the number of boxing gyms parallels the decline in the popularity of the sport itself. And some of the boxing clubs that are left have understandably looked to stay afloat by offering “boxing cardio” classes that appeal to women. However, the popularity of mixed martial arts among young men may spur the creation of new male space in the form of MMA gyms. Few females have found an interest in learning the ground and pound.

Fraternal Lodges and Social Clubs. Fraternal lodges and all male clubs and restaurants have a long and storied history in the United States and in other countries in the West. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, men flocked to fraternal lodges, like the Freemasons and the Odd Fellows, in order to take part in male fellowshipping. At one time in American history, 1 in 4 men belonged to a fraternal lodge of some sort. However, by 1950 membership began to decline as the demands of family life and work increased, leaving men little time for lodge life. Moreover, under pressure from women’s rights groups, some lodges allowed women to join their ranks. But for the most part fraternal lodges remain all-male. Their biggest problem is just recruiting new and younger members.

In addition to fraternal lodges, male only clubs and restaurants served as a place where a man could enjoy a nice rib-eye with their bros and get candid advice on their career and family life. But male-only clubs would start to feel the squeeze when the U.S. Supreme Court held in 1987 that states and cities may constitutionally ban sex discrimination by business-oriented private clubs. With this green light from the Court, many states and cities started cracking down on male-only clubs and restaurants. New York City was especially vigorous in prosecuting male-only clubs. Perhaps the most famous instance of a once male-only club being forced to open membership to women was the New York Athletic Club. Founded in 1868, the club contained dining rooms, bars, an indoor pool, and a block long gym. Facing legal pressure, the New York Athletic Club opened it’s membership to women in 1989 with mixed feelings on the part of members. Despite the legal and societal pressure, a few-male only clubs still exist in the U.S.

Decline of Male Space in the Home

Paralleling the decline in male space in public was the decline of male space in the domestic sphere. This perhaps was even more dramatic for men because, well, it hit so close to home. A man was once king of his castle, but in a blink of an eye he was dethroned. Here’s a brief primer on how it went down.

The Industrial Revolution: The Beginning of the End of Male Space

Before the Industrial Revolution, you could find most men working in or around the home. This was a time of self-sufficient small farmers and noble artisans. A man used his home as his place of business and, consequently, homes were designed to accommodate the needs of the dirty work of farming, blacksmithing, and leatherworking. When you work every day in dirt and grime, you can’t worry about taking off your boots so you don’t soil the rug. That just slows down the work!

Additionally, the home design luxuries we take for granted today just weren’t available to people in this agrarian society. Carpeting, wallpaper, drapes and even glass windows were items reserved for the very wealthy.

Consequently, the home had a predominately masculine vibe. Exposed beams, dirt floors, and earthen fireplaces were the norm. Tools were left here and there, guns hung above the fireplace, the sheep dog came in and out as he pleased, and a man didn’t think about wiping his feet before he came inside. He didn’t have to worry about a nagging wife getting on to him for mucking up the place because the place was already mucked up. But little did men know that the days of a male-centered abode were numbered.

By the middle of the 19^th century, the Industrial Revolution was in full swing. Families moved from the country to the city, and men left home to work in the factories. Women, of course, stayed home to run the household. Thus a strict work/home dichotomy developed, with women given domain over the latter. The Cult of Domesticity, popular during this time, encouraged middle and upper class women to make the home a “haven in a heartless world” for her husband and children, a place where a man could relax and feel comforted after a long day of toiling in the trenches. Without an earthen floor and sawdust shavings everywhere, the possibility of keeping things clean and tidy became attainable, and women bought carpets, white drapes, and flower-filled vases in the name of creating a soft oasis for their husbands. But what they really had made was the type of place a woman would feel most comfortable, and men fled their doily-laden home to spend time at the bars and fraternal lodges with their boys. The home had become female space.

Victorian Era

Theodore Roosevelt’s Trophy Room at Sagamore Hill

While male space was chipped away at during the 18th century, there were some consolations. During the Victorian Era, upper and middle class homes were built with several gender specific rooms. These rooms were often divided evenly among men and women. Women had sewing, drawing, and tea rooms; men had billiards, smoking, and trophy rooms. One peculiar male room in Victorian homes was the growling room. That’s right-growling room. Apparently growling rooms were a place a man could go to be alone and “growl” when in a bad mood. (I just use the bathroom for that now. )

This period of gender balance in homes would be short lived, however, and male space would continue to shrink as women took more and more control over home life.

Suburban Living: The Elimination of Male Space

Male space in the home was exchanged for family space.

The period after WWII was filled with dramatic changes in American life. One of the most powerful changes was the migration of white, middle class families from cities to the suburbs. Large developments like Levittown provided returning vets a chance to buy a piece of the American Dream for a relatively affordable price and get started on raising a family.

The rise of suburban culture with its emphasis on creating a domestic nest, usually meant sacrificing male space for the good of the family. Home designs in the 1950s exchanged the numerous, smaller rooms of the Victorian home for fewer, larger rooms. The goal was to create more open space where families could congregate together and bond while watching the Honeymooners on TV.

With no room to call their own, men were forced to build their male sanctuaries in the most uninhabitable parts of a home. Garages, attics, and basements quickly became the designated space for men, while the women and children had free reign over the rest of the house.

Men filled these rooms with the trappings of manliness- animal heads, discarded furniture, and pictures of sports figures (or women) would adorn the room. They would use their “man caves” as a place to retreat to when the demands of work and family life felt suffocating. Here they could play cards with their friends or tinker around, working on their car, reading the paper, or doing some woodworking.

But even these undesirable areas of the home would be taken away from men. Basements and attics became game or entertainment rooms to be used mainly by children. And even the least feminine of all places-the garage-would be cleaned up and domesticated.

According to Andreas Duany, an architect and consultant for the New Urban Development, three things occurred that feminized the garage: 1) sheetrocking, 2) the emergence of the storage industry, and 3) home association requirements to keep garage doors closed.

To organize their garages, men had built their own system of workbenches and shelving. But women felt this amateur, rustic solution was still too cluttered. Everything must now be put away in sleek, manufactured cabinetry and plastic storage tubs, with all of a man’s tools and knickknacks hidden away behind a shiny facade.

Sheetrocking covered the once unexposed and manly wood frame in garages, resulting in garages that looked less like a garage and more like another room inside the house.

Finally, homeowner association guidelines that required garages to remain closed made an already inhospitable room even less desirable by shutting out the light and air.

With every room co-opted in the house by women or children, and with few bastions of manliness in the public sphere left standing to escape to, men were relegated to claiming a solitary chair as their designated male space. (Think Archie Bunker and the dad from Frasier.)

Even in a time where men and women are supposed to decide about home décor together, dimes to donuts the women makes the final call. Take the cliché joke of a couple moving in together. It’s usually the man who has to throw out his “silly man things” to make room for the more sophisticated tastes of the women. At that moment, a man realizes that there’s no hope for him to have a place of his own.

Why Male Space is Important

Alright. So you might be thinking, “What’s the big deal? Isn’t it a good thing we’ve gotten past this archaic gender segregated stuff?” Yes… and no. Don’t get me wrong. I’m all in favor of the progress we’ve made, but again, the pendulum has arguably swung too far to the other extreme, leaving men without their own space.

We often underestimate the effects our surroundings have on our psyche. Architects, interior designers, and feng shui experts understand this profound impact. Even famous feminist writer Virginia Woolf understood the importance that space can have on an individual.

In her 1928 essay A Room of One’s Own, Woolf passionately argued that the reason women hadn’t produced as many great literary works as men was because they were denied the same opportunities afforded their male counterparts. The central argument in her essay was that women needed a room of their own in a world that was predominantly male so they could be alone and connect with their true identity and creative impulses.

Eighty years later, it’s the men asking for a room of their own.

Just as male friends play an important role in giving men satisfaction and in shaping their manliness, so does male space. It’s important that men have a place where they can take off their social masks and revel in masculine energy. For many men, the bureaucracy of corporate culture can leave them feeling powerless and emasculated. Having a “man cave” at home, a place men can deocrate as they please and do what they want in can give them a much-needed sense of control, empowerment, and of course relaxation. And spending time in the company of other men at an all-male hang out can help a man reconnect with his manliness

It seems in the past 10 years or so businesses and home designers are starting to recognize the importance of male space. Cottage industries have sprung up dedicated to designing “man caves” in homes, and many a man dreams of building a tiny house in the woods or backyard. Barbershops are coming back in a big way, and men of my generation are becoming interested in joining fraternal lodges like the Masons. Some pioneering men are even starting clubs of their own. After a period of decline, I think we’re seeing the start of a renaissance in male space. With all that’s going on, now is a better time then ever to carve out your own inner sanctum of manliness. So get to it. Your man cave awaits.

DownloadThe Art of Manliness Free Man Cookbook
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Fort Wayne Site-of-the-Day

Video Time: More than a House

First, watch this video...




I can relate to this story. No, Nobody was offered a million bucks to move in my family, but of course, this story goes deeper than that.

A dozen years ago, my Dad was dying of cancer. He was given a few months. His brothers from Maine and Georgia came to visit one last time. And he stayed at home until the final week when he moved to a local hospice home.

My Mom was able to stay in that same house for 3 more years, because I returned to live there to help her prepare for a move to a smaller place. When she did move, it was extremely difficult to leave the house she spent 1/2 of her 68 years living in. It was the emotional attachment.

Fort Wayne Site-of-the-Day

50 Steps

to becoming better, healthier, and __________ (you fill in the blank).

Tomorrow I'll have a video that continues this subject and includes some of my own story. Until then, read this from DLM:

50 Ideas for a Healthy Lifestyle that take 10 Minutes or Less

Posted: 16 Jan 2010 06:51 AM PST

What is a Healthy Lifestyle?

According to a study by Michigan State University, a healthy lifestyle is defined by four basic criteria:

• Not smoking


• Holding weight down
  


• Eating right
  


• Exercising

Of the 153,000 respondents, only 3% participated in all four of what are termed healthy lifestyle characteristics.

“We have millions of people now going through adult life leading unhealthy lifestyles and a medical system that can treat illnesses and keep you alive longer than ever before,” said Mathew Reeves, a Michigan State University epidemiologist. “If we don’t turn this around, the costs to society are going to be crippling.”

What can be done to help people change?

Everyone talks about achieving it, but most people have plenty of excuses as to why they can’t, won’t, or don’t want to change their current status. The most common excuse people make for not trying to have a healthy lifestyle is “a lack of time.” Have you ever said to yourself, “Oh, I’m tired, I don’t have time to exercise?” or “I don’t feel like cooking dinner tonight; let’s just get some fast food.”

Yes Dorothy, excuses are real and they are contagious.

Time and health always seem to be at odds with each other. We have time to work, time to commute, time for our business associates, but very little time to spend on ourselves, people we love, or even random people who deserve our attention.

What can you do in 10 minutes or less?

More than you think. In a brief 10 minute window you can release tension, prevent future frustrations, get your blood flowing, etc. In fact, here are 50 things you can do. With time out as an excuse, what are you going to begin doing differently tomorrow? I don't care what it is, the point is, just do something!

Here are some ideas. If you have other thoughts, leave them in the comments!

1. Brush your teeth


2. Do 15 sit-ups


3. Read the health news headlines of the day


4. Straighten your posture


5. Eat an apple


6. Stand up and stretch


7. Send a friendly email to a friend


8. Resist the impulse purchase of a candy bar


9. Post an inspirational quote on Twitter


10. Do 10 lunges


11. Drink a glass of water


12. Smile


13. Put a package of oatmeal in your pocket or purse for a healthy breakfast or snack


14. Throw a bottle of water in there as well


15. Plug your cell phone into the charger


16. Pay a bill online


17. Ask to have your salad dressing on the side


18. Start a dollar jar to be added to once per day


19. Open a window


20. Say thank you to someone who deserves it


21. Take a deep breath


22. Put on your seat belt


23. Wake up 10 minutes earlier


24. Post a comment on a blog


25. Turn off the lights when you’re the last one out


26. Put on your make-up (this usually pertains to the ladies, but hey, whatever makes you happy)


27. Share a healthy recipe


28. Give your mother a call


29. Wash your hands


30. Put on hand lotion


31. Check your blood pressure


32. Jog in place for 9 minutes


33. Throw away that pen that doesn’t work


34. Take a canvas tote bag to the grocery store


35. Ask a friend to join you for a healthy dinner


36. Put down the remote control and get up to change the TV channel


37. Hug your kids


38. Replace your next cup of coffee with a cup of tea


39. Lay out your clothes for the next day


40. Put your car keys in the same place everyday


41. Take a 10 minute break


42. Suck on a breath mint


43. Add a little pepper to your salad


44. Load the dishwasher


45. Play FreeRice for 5 minutes


46. Take a quick walk


47. Prepare your coffee maker the night before


48. Skip your late evening grocery store run


49. While watching TV, do 5 push-ups during the commercial


50. Read this list over again and count how many things pertain to you

These things take no time at all but they all could ensure a positive day and a healthier lifestyle. How many of these do you or can you do in a day? What other things can you add to the list?

Whatever you choose to do, make your day healthier and happier. If you can, do the same for someone else too, because, after all, it’s about a healthy lifestyle!

Written on 4/09/2008 by Lisa Newton, founder of Iowa Avenue, a healthy-living social community. Republished 1/16/2010.

Fort Wayne Site-of-the-Day

Hey Fatty..

Harvey Mackay, has more class than to say what I just said, but sometimes we need a good kick in the oversized buttocks to get us to take action.

You finished growing by the time you finished high school.

So, if you are buying bigger clothes than you wore back then, stop it.

I'm speaking from experience.

A couple years ago I was buying new clothes because the old ones didn't fit anymore. But I also saw how I looked in some of the holiday photo's and I wasn't happy.

So, the first step was to stop gaining weight. This year my goal is to lose the extra pounds and return to what I weighed when I was 21. It's a gift to me and my family.

Harvey has some thoughts on this matter:

Harvey Mackay's Column This Week

Exercise your body to keep your brain in shape

Gen. David Petraeus has a clear view of leadership, as Maj. John Patrick Gallagher recounts in the book Leadership Lessons of the White House Fellows, by Charles Garcia. One day when Petraeus was a colonel in the 82nd Airborne Division, he asked his soldiers to name the #1 leadership priority of the brigade.

Integrity? Marksmanship? No, the correct answer turned out to be physical fitness. The brigade thought Petraeus was joking, until the colonel began leading his soldiers through an intensive 75-minute exercise drill every morning. And soon his point became clear: The workouts drove the brigade to greater alertness and energy, as well as more pride in themselves and their unit.

As Gallagher puts it, "Self-discipline and being able to perform under pressure and exist outside our comfort zone would be the key that unlocked our success."

The word exercise derives from a Latin root that means "to maintain, to keep, to ward off." To me, that means I should exercise to maintain my health, to keep my sanity and to ward off the temptations that lead me down unhealthy paths. I spend at least 60 minutes a day walking, jogging, swimming or lifting weights.

What we consider "exercise" today is really a natural part of life, but in our current world, we have to make a conscious effort to make it part of our daily routine. Just a few generations ago, walking was a major form of transportation! Our evolution from hunters and gatherers, who walked to get from one area to another, to a sedentary automobile/train/plane civilization, has forced us to look at exercise in a different way.

According to the Franklin Institute, "walking is especially good for your brain, because it increases blood circulation and the oxygen and glucose that reach your brain. Walking is not strenuous, so your leg muscles don't take up extra oxygen and glucose like they do during other forms of exercise. As you walk, you effectively oxygenate your brain." The research suggests this is why walking can "clear your head" and help you to think better.

So maybe a walking club at lunchtime would be a good place to start.

With a new year upon us, one of the resolutions many people at least think about is getting in shape. That's a great goal, and I hope it lasts beyond January 2. If you aren't active already, I encourage you to start now. You'll feel better and think better as a result.

Exercise is an important element of good health, but you've got to approach it with good judgment. Follow this basic advice for getting in shape safely:

• Start slowly. If you haven't exercised in a while, don't jump into a strenuous routine. Consult with your doctor to find out what's safe. Start each workout with a warm-up to ease your body into the session.
• Get the right equipment. Running in the wrong shoes or biking without a helmet can be dangerous. Don't take chances with old or used equipment. If you're not sure what you need, ask a trainer or someone with experience.
• Wear suitable clothing. Loose, comfortable clothing is essential. Wear fabrics that absorb sweat, so your body doesn't overheat. If you're exercising outdoors in cold weather, wear a warm hat and gloves; in hot weather, wear a cap to stay cool.
• Watch the weather. Don't go outside to work out in extreme temperatures. I've slipped more than a few times on ice in Minnesota. Wear sunscreen, winter or summer. In cold weather, dress in layers. During the summer months, exercise in the morning or late in the day to avoid excessive heat.
• Drink plenty of water. Keeping hydrated is important before, during, and after exercise. Take a drink every 20 minutes, even if you don't feel thirsty.
• Pay attention to surroundings. When you're outdoors, don't "zone out." Watch out for traffic, other people, rough surfaces and other dangers. Even in the gym, keep your eyes open and your mind engaged to prevent accidents with equip¬ment or other exercisers.
• Listen to the warning signs. Don't try to "work through" pain. Slow down if you get short of breath. If you get dizzy or feel nauseated, or feel pain in your chest, neck, shoulders, or arms, stop exercising immediately. If the symptoms don't go away, call your doctor.

Mackay's Moral: Taking care of business starts with taking care of yourself.

Fort Wayne Site-of-the-Day

Video Time: Dave & Bill

Let's step back into the "Way-back" time machine about 15 years...

Fort Wayne Site-of-the-Day

Less is More

This is nothing new. We in the USA, accumulate too much Crap. I recall cleaning out my parents attic about 15 years ago with my Dad. We found a couple rolls of carpeting that had been up there for 30 years!

Here's some ideas from the DLM Blog:

Super Easy Ways To Filter Info and Declutter Your Mind

Posted: 15 Jan 2010 05:38 AM PST

Let's face it, whoever said technology was going to make our life any easier was lying! From where I stand, I see we are busier than ever trying to keep up-to-date with our email inbox, our twitter pages, our Facebook accounts, our offline friends and least not forget our family.

Quite frankly, our minds are cluttered beyond recognition. It comes as no surprise that so many people snap at the drop of a coin. This constant time demand coupled with the immediacy of communication these days, makes us feel like shutting down means not caring, not participating, and well, getting left out.

As a modern human race we are drowning alive in the clutter of our minds.If you don't believe me take a look at the constant bombardment of advertising you are exposed to every single day:

• Perhaps you watch TV
• Read Magazines
• Read newspapers
• Read industry zines
• Read blogs
• Read websites
• ... shall I go on?
  

We are basically slaves to our own technological advancement and it doesn't look any rosier in the future. In fact, the number of data sources available to you today will only continue to grow (and at an increasing rate)!

If you want to break out from the cycle of mental stress you need to find ways to declutter your mind and filter what you allow in. Every single day we are exposed to millions of tiny bytes of information. Fact is, without a filter you're forcing your brain to absorb, understand, digest, and store it. I mean really, that's a tall order - even for the human brain.

Decluttering your mind starts with your intent - you need to WANT to make changes first before you can address the imbalance. Here is how you do this:

1. Stop putting things off
   By putting things off you only make matters worse and add to the stress levels you probably already experience. I have found that by addressing the biggest task of my working day first I generally get a lot more done. It adds to the fantastic feeling at the end of the day when you can honestly say to yourself that you achieved all goals.


2. Let go
   What is wrong with letting things go? Nothing! Declutter your house, your life and your mind. It is the fastest way to living worry-free.


3. Stop trying to meddle at all the parties
   Do you really have to be a member of all the social networks considered hip today? I dare you not. Try to reduce the number of platforms, memberships, networks you join and enjoy more mental freedom as a result. A great by-product of doing this is that your contributions will be a lot more valuable because they will come from your heart - and not your need to party across town.


4. Decide now
   How many undecided decisions are lurking in the back of your mind right now? I've always been a person who is spontaneous which helps me to make a decision on the snap of a finger. Even if your decision turns out to be wrong in the near future at least you've acted and cleared your mind. Plus you just made another valuable experience for life.


5. Limit common distractions
   Most of us are exposed to a number of daily distractions that stop us from doing what we NEED to do. Close your email inbox, log out of Skype, switch off your mobile phone and just concentrate on the task you do right now. You will be surprised how much more you get done - without the stress - by limiting distractions.


6. Simplify your life
   Stop multitasking and focus on the one job at the time - every single time. Multitasking is evil because we end up doing nothing while trying to do too much.


7. Breath
   How often do you stop breathing when you are in a stressful situation? Learn to breathe deeply into your stomach. Do yoga, mediate, or simply take some time out with a good book or by doing nothing at all. You will be rejuvenated and ready to tackle the most complex task afterwards.


8. Forgive and forget
   Do you harbor any malicious thoughts towards a person from your past? Most of us do, me included. There were people in my life I couldn't forgive for what they did to me. After much soul searching I decided to let it go and lo and behold, I felt a wonderful sense of peace. The previous stress and anger was replaced by detachment and curious observation.
   

Decluttering your mind is easy with the right conviction and intent. By doing so you will regain your inner peace, work better and experience more satisfying relationships.

All of the above tips are ideal to get started while easy enough for just about any one. Feel free to add to the above by sharing what works for you. I look forward to hearing from you.

Written on 1/15/2010 by Monika Mundell. Monika is a passionate freelance writer and pro-blogger. Her blog Freelance Writing helps new freelance writers to get started in this exciting industry. If you like to work with Monika, feel free to visit her Portfolio site.

Photo Credit: hatchibombotar

Fort Wayne Site-of-the-Day