Category: Mental Clarity, Happiness, and Motivation

You are resilient. You can shield yourself from the storm and emerge stronger once it passes. ~jaywren.com Dealing with toxic individuals can be incredibly challenging. When their behavior remains unchanged and avoidance isn’t an option, the most empowering and effective approach is to shift your focus inward. By concentrating on your own growth and well-being,…… Continue reading Navigating Toxicity: Focusing on Your Inner Strength

Getting Stuck in the Thoughts in Our Head We replay old conversations, fret over deadlines, and endlessly scroll through social media, rarely giving our full attention to the present moment. However, cultivating the ability to be mentally present – to focus on the “now” – can have profound benefits for our mental and emotional well-being.…… Continue reading Get Our of Your Head and Into the Present Moment

Dealing with stress is simple, but it is not always easy. ~ www.jaywren.com Life’s challenges create pressure. I can’t always control the world around me. However, I can reduce stress with my actions. Here are seven things I do. Procrastination I feel tremendous stress when I put things off. Also, thinking about doing a large…… Continue reading Eliminating Stress: 7 Steps to a Smarter Way of Living

In sports, when players get hurt during a game, coaches must make decisions whether the player should stay in a game after an injury are leave the game for the player’s safety. Is a player is hurt injured? Does the player risk further injury if they continue to play? If the player can continue to…… Continue reading Rub Some Dirt on It

Overthinking has become an almost universal habit. We replay conversations, agonize over decisions, and analyze situations endlessly, often to the point of exhaustion. Overthinking not only drains our energy but also hinders us from living in the present moment. However, with mindful practices and intentional techniques, it is possible to quiet the mental chatter, embrace…… Continue reading How to Relax, Clear Your Mind, and Stop Overthinking

I use breathing text for more than curing anxiety. Every time I think of focusing on my breathing, I take a breath and feel better. For me, anxiety can feel overwhelming. One of the most powerful tools I use for managing anxiety is something I do every moment—breathing. Controlled and intentional breathing has been scientifically…… Continue reading Because it Feels Good, I Focus on My Breathing Every Time I Think of It

The Power Cycle: Feeling Great Increases Success and Success Increases How Great We Feel ~ Jay Wren Have you ever noticed how good things seem to snowball? When you’re feeling on top of the world, it’s easier to tackle challenges, achieve goals, and maintain a positive outlook. This creates a powerful cycle: feeling great increases…… Continue reading The Power Cycle: Feeling Great Increases Success and Success Increases How Great We Feel ~ Jay Wren

It’s easy to accumulate *stuff*. Physical possessions, digital clutter, overwhelming schedules can all weigh us down, creating stress and hindering our ability to focus on what truly matters. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it might be time for a good old declutter. Decluttering isn’t about tidying up; it’s about creating space – physical, mental, and emotional…… Continue reading Breathe Easier: 5 Practical Ways to Declutter Your Life

Emotional Intelligence:  Learning how to manage emotions is part of growing up. However, becoming aware that our feelings are making us dumber is not always easy. How do successful people deal with emotions to make better decisions? Developing Emotional Intelligence Although it is normal to have emotional highs and lows, successful people separate their emotions…… Continue reading Emotional Intelligence: 12 Steps to Empowering Your Mind

“Remember that failure is an event, not a person.” Zig Ziglar Never equate your self-worth with your success.

I wrote this post for my own mental and emotional well-being. Perhaps some of these suggestions will help you. Changing How I See and Feel About My World For me, the constant wave of negative news is overwhelming. I can take control of the information that I expose myself to with these steps: Curate My…… Continue reading Happiness in a Controversial World

You are capable of amazing things. Boosting your self-confidence can have a profound impact on various aspects of your life. Here are five practical strategies to help you get started: Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself and avoid self-criticism. Treat yourself with the same understanding and compassion that you would offer a friend. Set Achievable…… Continue reading 5 Ways to Increase Your Self-Confidence

Becoming smarter isn’t just about solving complex math problems or reciting facts. It’s a holistic process that involves nurturing various aspects of your mind and life. Here are six ways to elevate your intellect and make those neurons fire on all cylinders. Read Regularly and Diversely Expand your horizons by diving into different genres, topics,…… Continue reading Boost Your Brain: Six Ways to Get Smarter

Find Freedom from Anxiety Right Now 1. Change the subject in your head. 2. Get up and move around. 3. Focus on your surroundings. 4. Breathe in deeply and exhale slowly. 5. Make a list of your blessings. 6. Sit still and let painful feelings pass. 7. Meet with a friend. 8. Smile. Jay Wren…… Continue reading Eight Steps for Freedom from Anxiety Right Now

Developing an amazing attitude can transform your life, improve your relationships, and enhance your overall well-being. Here are some practical steps to help you cultivate an amazing attitude: Practice Gratitude Focus on the positives in your life by regularly reflecting on what you are grateful for. Keep a gratitude journal and jot down at least…… Continue reading Amazing Attitudes

Life is a lot easier when I don’t think about it and just start living in the world in front of me. ~ Jay Wren I Can Solve Problems  When my mind clears, I can concentrate on making good decisions and finding excellent solutions to opportunities in front of me. There is a difference between planning and…… Continue reading Stop Overthinking and Start Living

No one has the instruction manual for life! No one has It all figured out. ~Jay Wren It’s a common misconception that there are people out there who have it all figured out. They have successful careers, happy relationships, and wonderful lifestyles. But the truth is, no one has it all figured out. Everyone is…… Continue reading No One Has It All Figured Out

The Magnetic Compass vs. The True Compass: Navigating Life’s Course In the world of navigation, we encounter two distinct compasses: the magnetic compass and the true compass. While both point towards a direction, they differ significantly in their accuracy and the forces that influence them. The Magnetic Compass: Relies on Earth’s Magnetic Field: This compass…… Continue reading The Magnetic Compass vs. The True Compass: Navigating Life’s Course

Social media can be a minefield when it comes to politics. Here are a few reasons why some people choose to avoid following political content on these platforms: Misinformation: social media is rife with misinformation and fake news. It can be difficult to separate fact from fiction, and spreading false information can lead to misunderstanding…… Continue reading The Minefield of Social Media

“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another” is a quote by psychologist and philosopher William James (1842-1910).  The Process of Choosing One Thought Over Another Choosing one thought over another is not always so simple as thinking about something else. Sometimes, I have to relax with mindful breathing.…… Continue reading The Power of Choosing what to Think About

Self-talk, the internal dialogue we have with ourselves, plays a crucial role in shaping our attitudes, behaviors, and overall well-being. Positive self-talk has the power to transform our lives by boosting our self-esteem, enhancing our mental health, and empowering us to achieve our goals. Understanding Self-Talk Self-talk can be defined as the thoughts and words…… Continue reading The Importance of Positive Self-Talk

Walk Outside and Clear Your Mind If I stay alone in my office or alone in my home, I begin to believe my own thinking without question. The mind is a dangerous place to go alone. I heard a person say one time that people should never go into their mind alone. “They do drive-by shootings…… Continue reading Walk Outside and Clear Your Mind

Gratitude lists are a great way to focus on the positive aspects of your life and cultivate a sense of appreciation. Here’s a quick introduction: What is a gratitude list? A gratitude list is simply a collection of things you’re grateful for. It can be as simple or as elaborate as you’d like. People write…… Continue reading Gratitude Lists: A Happier and Healthier Life

Every day, I can allow myself to have a happier, healthier, and more productive life by not doing things that drag me down mentally, emotionally, and physically. I Did Not Check My Phone or My Email First Thing This Morning It has become a modern-day reflex to reach for our phones, tablets, or computers as…… Continue reading Things I Did Not Do Today That Made My Life Better

Living in the moment is the practice of intentionally focusing your attention on the present experience without judgment. It’s about savoring the taste of your coffee, truly listening to a loved one, or simply appreciating the beauty of a sunrise. Benefits of Living Moment to Moment Reduced Stress and Anxiety: When you’re present, you’re less likely…… Continue reading Finding Joy: The Benefits of Living Moment to Moment

Remember that affirmations are a powerful tool for self-improvement, but they are most effective when used with intention and consistency. For Self-Confidence: “I am strong, capable, and worthy.” or “I believe in myself and my abilities.” For Stress Relief: “I am calm and peaceful.” or “I release all tension and worries.” For Motivation: “I am…… Continue reading The Power of Affirmations

The Echo Chamber Effect is a phenomenon where people are exposed only to information and opinions that reinforce their existing beliefs. This phenomenon happens because individuals tend to seek out and surround themselves with like-minded people and sources of information, creating a “chamber” where dissenting views are rarely encountered. As a result, their beliefs are…… Continue reading The Echo Chamber Effect: Why We Believe What We Want to Believe

If you want to become a powerful performer, you have more potential than you realize, and you may underestimate the value of talent. Here are nine factors that affect success. All are important. Here are the things that I accomplished with this process. I experienced feelings of excitement and joy in caring for people and…… Continue reading You Have More Talent and Potential than You Realize

When You Don’t Have the Job You Want Bring Joy to the Job You Have ~ Jay Wren “There is scarcely any passion without struggle.” Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays Most people just need a job. To enjoy the job, they pack passion in their lunch pails as part of finding joy…… Continue reading When You Don’t Have the Job You Want, Bring Passion to the Job You Have

Intelligence, Common Sense, and Locked-In Beliefs: Understanding the Difference In our daily lives, we often hear the terms “intelligence” and “common sense” used interchangeably. However, these two concepts, while related, are distinct in several important ways. Understanding the difference between them can help us appreciate the unique contributions each makes to our decision-making and problem-solving…… Continue reading How Locked-In Beliefs Close Our Minds to Opportunities for a Better Life

The Power of Patience: Why Waiting Until You’re Calm Can Transform Disagreements into Better Relationships. Disagreements are an inevitable part of life. Whether it’s a minor misunderstanding with a friend or a significant conflict at work, how we handle these moments can significantly impact our relationships and personal well-being? One of the most effective strategies…… Continue reading The Power of Patience

Our brains filter information in a way that confirms our beliefs, whether those beliefs are positive or negative. By consciously shifting our mindset to focus on positive outcomes, we can start to see more of the good things happening around us.  ~ Jay Wren Reading, hearing, or seeing things that confirm our beliefs makes us…… Continue reading Tell Your Brain Good Things About Yourself and Your Life

As we walk through every door we have an opportunity to change the way we see the world.  Jay Wren Have you ever walked into a room only to forget why you went there in the first place? This common experience is known as the “doorway effect,” a fascinating psychological phenomenon that highlights the quirks…… Continue reading The Doorway Effect: An Opportunity to Change the Way We Think and Feel

The Power of Breathing: Techniques for a Healthier Life Breathing is something we do every moment of our lives, often without giving it much thought. Yet, the way we breathe can have a profound impact on our physical and mental well-being. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of proper breathing techniques and how…… Continue reading The Power of Taking a Break to Breathe

Stereo music is better than mono music because it provides a more immersive and realistic listening experience. Stereo music uses two or more speakers to create a sense of space and depth, which allows the listener to feel like they are in the middle of the music. Additionally, stereo music can provide a wider range…… Continue reading Sometimes Good Things Get Left Behind

“It’s easier to fool people than it is to convince them they’ve been fooled.” – Mark Twain The persistence of misinformation in our society can be attributed to a variety of psychological and social factors. People often cling to misinformation because it aligns with their pre-existing beliefs or social identity, a phenomenon known as confirmation…… Continue reading Why Do We Hang On to Misinformation?

The power of emotional autonomy: Never give anyone the power to control how you feel or what you think. ~ Jay Wren Emotional autonomy is a vital aspect of personal development and well-being. It refers to the ability to maintain control over one’s own emotional state, rather than allowing external circumstances or the actions of…… Continue reading The Power of Emotional Autonomy

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” Marcus Aurelius. How do you direct your mind for better thoughts? A gratitude list is a good place to start.     Photo by Mona Eendra on Unsplash

“If you’re growing a garden, you need to pull out the weeds, but flowers will die if all you do is pick weeds. They need sunshine and water. People are the same.” From “The Score Takes Care of Itself” by Bill Walsh on the importance of Positive Coaching Photo by Jean Lucas Camilo on Unsplash

“You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt I don’t worry about what other people think. I can’t control what people carry around in their minds. The mental obsession over what other people think doesn’t improve how people see me. Additionally, I…… Continue reading Don’t Worry About What Other People Think

“Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful day of your life.” Mark Twain I decide every day what kind of day I am going to have. I can either dread it or stay in the present movement and only think about things as they happen. Depending on what was going on the…… Continue reading Create a New Day

The best way to change your life today is to decide to be in a good mood. Jay Wren Photo by J Lee on Unsplash

Everyone on the planet has people who have been unkind to them. Happiness comes from how I respond to how people treat me.   Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash

People who are truly confident in their beliefs have the ability to listen to the beliefs of other people. ~ Jay Wren   Photo by Luke Chesser on Unsplash

Life is too short to worry about little things. Have fun. Regret nothing.

It is your responsibility to stop thinking negative thoughts about yourself before they become fixed in your mind as beliefs. Smile. Say something nice about yourself. Make a list of your blessings. Smile There are many things that you can do to calm your jitters.  Perhaps the most overlooked way is simply to smile.  People…… Continue reading Blessings

Wouldn’t it be great if you could make everyone on the Internet either agree with you or shut the heck up?  You betcha.  I’ve tried.  But they don’t shut up.  They just come back and post more stuff to tick you off.  I can either embrace them or avoid them. Emotions and Critical Thinking Beliefs…… Continue reading Why Intelligent People Say Stupid Things on the Internet

Changing my attitude creates self-wins. Sometimes I believe that I need to negotiate better conditions at work. A good place to start those negotiations is with that voice between my ears. Jay Wren   Photo by Luke Chesser on Unsplash

There’s no better time than right now to feel grateful. ~Jay Wren Photo by NEOM on Unsplash

Six steps to reducing stress and increasing happiness. Live in the Present Moment. Living in the present moment means being fully aware of what is happening right now, without dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. It is a state of mind that can bring many benefits, such as: Reducing stress and anxiety…… Continue reading Five Steps for Reducing Stress and Increasing Happiness

Why People Believe Political Lies Politics is a domain where lying seems to be rampant and pervasive. From false claims about one’s opponents, to exaggerated promises about one’s policies, to outright denial of facts and evidence, political lies are everywhere. But why do people believe them? What makes us susceptible to deception by those who…… Continue reading Why People Believe Political Lies

The older you get the better you get unless you are a banana. Betty White     Photo by Ashley Whitlatch on Unsplash

Life is a lot less stressful when we stop worrying about what other people are thinking. ~www.jaywren.com     Photo by Fernando Paredes Murillo on Unsplash

Helping Others is Rewarding Some of the best things I have done for myself involved helping other people.  Giving my time to help other people in turn benefited me mentally and emotionally. Helping other people increased my self-esteem as a person of value. I had activities to plan and anticipate. I got to know as many…… Continue reading The Personal Benefits of Helping Others

Self-Honesty: There are two types of honesty. Cash register honesty is one. Certainly, the cash register is important for building trust and staying out of jail. However, self-honesty enables people to see their shortcomings. More importantly, self-honesty enables people to correct their mistakes and strengthen their weaknesses. To have self-honesty, we must be open-minded and have…… Continue reading Self Honesty

https://www.jaywren.com/anger-management/

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If you don’t like what you are getting, stop doing what you are doing. Maybe you are following the wrong crowd. Maybe, you don’t need to follow any crowd. Meet new people. Try new things. Worry less about mistakes and focus more on doing things that inspire you and bring you joy. ~ www.jaywren.com

Mental Strengths: Some people are stronger at solving problems with one correct answer. They are convergent thinkers. Other people are stronger at solving problems with multiple solutions. They are divergent thinkers. Aligning your career with the way your brain works will increase your ability to excel in the workplace. How can you shape your career around…… Continue reading Mental Strengths: Aligning Your Career to the Way You Think

Anger Prevention: Anger is a normal feeling when we have experiences that threaten our beliefs or possessions. We can learn skills that give us a choice in the way we respond to that feeling. Anger Prevention: Different Triggers for Different People We all have individual triggers.  I say individual triggers, because different things create different…… Continue reading Anger Prevention: How Small Steps Can Help You Decompress

Stress reduction: Life’s challenges create pressure. I can’t always eliminate these challenges, but I can reduce the pressure by being smart about how I respond to them. Action I feel stress when I put things off. To overcome procrastination, I simply agree to do one small thing. A common example is to go for a…… Continue reading Stress Reduction for a Clear and Productive Mind

Bias dictates to our reason and wisdom, but is it always bad?  What role does it play in decision-making and in governing our actions? Knowing that we have bias and learning how to manage our bias empowers us to act intelligently to the world in which we live. The biggest challenge is managing our bias…… Continue reading Bias Dictates the Thoughts that Govern Us

Bad bosses can destroy your career as they make your life miserable before you get away from them. Here are ways you can protect yourself and your career. If you are working for a bad boss, you have my understanding and empathy.  I have had a couple of bad bosses.  One had no interest in…… Continue reading Bad Bosses: How to Excel In Spite of Them

Confidence Development: Stress loves mental clutter.  As the pile of clutter grows in a person’s mind, stress becomes more powerful. The clutter creates confusion and undermines our ability for confidence development. Instead of planning for upcoming events, we worry about upcoming events. The growing stress robs our energy.  Lower energy leads to inaction, procrastination.  Inaction…… Continue reading Confidence Development: Clearing the Mental Clutter of Job Stress

Mental Flow: Living in the present moment is like riding a canoe. You have control with your paddle, but you ride effortlessly in the river’s current. ~ www.jaywren.com In a previous article, Becoming Aware: The Power of Living in the Present Moment, I wrote, “Doing one thing at a time and clearing my mind of…… Continue reading Mental Flow: Present Moment Awareness Continues Through Time

Career Burnout: In a culture where people believe that working hard can overcome any obstacle, reality teaches us that we have limitations. We burnout. ~ www.jaywren.com I am a few days late writing this article on purpose.  For the past two weeks I have had trouble writing.  During that time, I sensed that I needed a…… Continue reading Career Burnout: When Working Less Becomes a Priority

It is your responsibility to stop thinking negative thoughts about yourself before they become fixed in your mind as beliefs. Smile. Say something nice about yourself. Make a list of your blessings. Social Anxiety: Is It Killing Your Career? “Don’t let the world change your smile.  Let your smile change the world.”  A Work in…… Continue reading Social Anxiety: Is It Killing Your Career?

People do many ways to think clearly. Here are five of them. Make lists.  For me, having a list of things to do helps me clear my mind.  Working with my list, I can think of one thing at a time.  I can focus on what I am doing. Write things out.  When I am worrying…… Continue reading How to Think Clearly

Workplace Relationships: Accept, Change, or End (A.C.E.) Sometimes, working with other people becomes difficult.   Carrying the problems in my head is stressful.  Understanding that I do have options helps me stop worrying and start working on solutions. In dealing with relationship problems, in fact, in dealing with most problems, I can ask myself three questions. Should I accept the…… Continue reading Workplace Relationships: Accept, Change, or End