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Articles from James Mapes | Selfgrowth.com
- The Psychology of Fun, Play & Full Engagement - by Submitted on Jun 12, 2014 from James MapesCreativity is intelligence having fun. -Albert Einstein, physicist Do you think fun is frivolous? If so, perhaps you should think again. Pause at the end of this paragraph – just for a few seconds – to recall a very happy, joyful, engaging moment from your life. Please stop and reflect ...
Views: 1940(1 vote) - VISION FIRST - GOALS SECOND & THE POWER OF FORESIGHT - by Submitted on Jul 18, 2014 from James MapesYou are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand. - Woodrow Wilson Some time ago I ...
Views: 1913(1 vote) - Insights: Managing Change - by Submitted on Oct 17, 2017 from James MapesInsights: Managing Change Change is the law of life and those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future. —IRVING JANUS, GroupThink Clasp your hands together as demonstrated in the diagram below: Now take your hands apart and clasp them back ...
Views: 1493(1 vote) - My Top Secret Tips for Achieving Successful Resolutions and Goals - by Submitted on Jan 08, 2013 from James MapesFirst, let’s get some facts straight. Research shows that more than 80% of us fail at keeping our New Year’s resolutions because we unconsciously set ourselves up for failure. One of the main reasons is, without awareness, we focus on the downside of not achieving their goals. That means we're ...
Views: 1297(1 vote) - BECOME AN IMAGINATION EXPERT - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2013 from James Mapes“What you do is create a vision of what you want to be and then live into that picture as if it were already true.” -Arnold Schwarzenegger The word “imagination” has always resonated deep within my soul. In my imagination, I can go anywhere, be anyone and accomplish anything. As a child, I ...
Views: 2449(2 votes) - EIGHT STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL BRANDING by James Mapes - by Submitted on Feb 21, 2017 from James MapesWhy brand yourself? For one primary reason. Branding shines a light on you and your business. Branding reveals the essence of who you are and what you offer. Your brand separates you from the crowd. Branding is mandatory for any entrepreneur’s company to be noticed, respected, in demand and ...
Views: 1594(1 vote) - In Praise of Entrepreneurs, Persistence and a Gourmet Food Truck - by Submitted on Jun 12, 2013 from James Mapes“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and ...
Views: 1452(1 vote) - 11 STRATEGIES TO ESTABLISH SOCIAL CONNECTIONS FOR YOUR LIFE! - by Submitted on May 16, 2019 from James MapesPlease watch is two-minute clip before you read the article: https://youtu.be/JpCrCJL26ic I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength ...
Views: 1020 - 11 TRAITS FOR LIVING AN EXCEPTIONAL LIFE - by Submitted on Jun 13, 2017 from James Mapes“All men should strive to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why.” —James Thurber, “The Shore and the Sea” In my new web-enhanced book - with 21 coaching video clips - IMAGINE THAT! Igniting Your Brain for Creativity & Peak Performance, you learn how to fire up ...
Views: 1554 - 14 ACTION STEPS TO MANAGE CHANGE IN TODAYS ENVIRONMENT - by Submitted on Apr 27, 2021 from James MapesIf you have always done it that way, it is probably wrong. —CHARLES KETTERING, inventor of the electric starter for automobiles/ Founder of the S-Kettering Foundation We are in a time of turbulent change in every area of our lives. The impact on our mental and physical health is ...
Views: 584 - 16 Tips to ‘Respect the Dignity’ of an individual - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2021 from James Mapes“Human dignity is the same for all human beings: when I trample on the dignity of another, I am trampling on my own.” -Pope Francis When my book, Quantum Leap Thinking: An Owner’s Guide to the Mind was published in 1996, I hoped most individuals would conclude that we are all connected. I ...
Views: 624 - 3 TIPS TO IGNITE YOUR CREATIVITY - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2017 from James MapesThe future belongs to those who believe in dreams. —ELEANOR ROOSEVELT, humanitarian and diplomat A tiny speck appears on the horizon. It’s hard to see. It begins to move closer and closer. It looks like a shapeless blob, but as it moves closer, it starts to take form. The form becomes ...
Views: 1635 - 5 FOOLPROOF STRATEGIES FOR QUANTUM LEAP PARTNERSHIPS - by Submitted on Apr 27, 2020 from James Mapes” I love creating partnerships; I love not having to bear the entire burden of the creative storytelling, and when I have unions like with George Lucas and Peter Jackson, it's really great; not only do I benefit, but the project is better for it.” - Steven Spielberg We create ...
Views: 846 - 5 Strategies & and a Few Tips to Manage Social Anxiety in the COVID-19 Environment - by Submitted on Apr 24, 2021 from James Mapes“Sometimes the worst place you can be Is in your own head.” -Unknown I feel like a mime lately. All the COVID-19 “air hugs” and using my hands more to be understood makes me feel a bit awkward. I also find myself raising my voice to penetrate the barrier of a mask. And, like many, I ...
Views: 675 - 6 RULES LEARNED FROM HARRY AND MEGHAN ON SETTING BOUNDARIES - by Submitted on Apr 11, 2020 from James Mapes“Boundaries define us. They define what is me and what is not me. A boundary shows me where I end and someone else begins, leading me to a sense of ownership. Knowing what I am to own and take responsibility for gives me freedom.” – Henry Cloud, American author Do you set boundaries ...
Views: 846 - 7 MENTAL TRICKS TO MANAGE UNCERTAINTY - by Submitted on Apr 24, 2021 from James MapesFruitcakes in the kitchen Fruitcakes on the street Struttin' naked through the crosswalk In the middle of the week Half-baked cookies in the oven Half-baked people on the bus There's a little bit of fruitcake left in every one of us -Jimmy Buffett In my lifetime, I never dreamed we ...
Views: 700 - 7 QUANTUM LEAP STRATEGIES FOR REVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIPS - by Submitted on Dec 26, 2018 from James MapesLove is the medicine for the sickness of mankind. We can live if we have love. —DR. KARL MENNINGER, American psychiatrist Think about the books and poetry you have read, and the movies and television programs you have seen. What force is almost always at work? It’s the struggle to ...
Views: 1060 - 7 Strategies for Quantum Leap Risk Taking - by Submitted on Dec 11, 2019 from James Mapes“Risk! Risk anything! Care no more for the opinion of others, for those voices. Do the hardest thing on earth for you. Act for yourself. Face the truth.” —KATHERINE MANSFIELD, British short-story writer I invite you to watch this three-minute video on YouTube: ...
Views: 1050 - 7 Strategies for Renewing by ‘Running in Idle’ - by Submitted on Aug 29, 2022 from James MapesLiming: Caribbean Dictionary: Referring to the art of doing nothing while sharing food, drink, conversation and laughter. Chilling or hanging out. Idle: American Dictionary Adjective: Avoiding work or being lazy. Verb: spend time doing nothing. Running in idle: Mapes’ ...
Views: 491 - 7 SUREFIRE STRATEGIES TO REDUCE HOLIDAY ANXIETY AND KEEP YOUR SANITY By James Mapes - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2016 from James MapesLet's strip away the rose-colored glasses, let go of guilt and do a reality check. For many people the holiday season can feel like anything but a celebration. If one isn’t careful, the Christmas season can turn people into frenetic, anxious, and crazy - holiday survivalists. Below are 7 ...
Views: 1423 - 8 EASY STEPS TO DECLUTTER YOUR HOME DURING CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN - by Submitted on Jul 17, 2020 from James Mapes“When home feels out of control, no matter what the reason, unsettledness and anxiety can seep in, and then the chaos becomes internal as well as external.” —Myquillyn Smith You can either let the coronavirus destroy your emotional self with mind-numbing fear and inaction or- you ...
Views: 717 - 8 TIPS TO ADJUST YOUR ANXIOUS BRAIN - by Submitted on Nov 15, 2021 from James Mapes“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” – Maya Angelou I’ve been pondering writing this article for some time. What has prevented me is every time I sit down to write, I have an immediate sensation of feeling frustrated which ...
Views: 597 - 8 TIPS TO HELP YOU DEAL WITH COVID PTSD - by Submitted on Nov 15, 2021 from James MapesWhen you think of PTSD, (post-traumatic stress disorder) what comes to mind? The most common traumas that lead to PTSD are soldiers returning from war, firefighters, police, and sexual assault victims. Some who suffer divorce or loss of a loved one show signs of PTSD for years. After the ...
Views: 551 - 9 STRATEGIES GUARANTEED TO REDUCE HOLIDAY ANXIETY AND KEEP YOU SANE - by Submitted on Dec 20, 2017 from James MapesIt never fails that when the holiday season rolls around, stress and anxiety rear their ugly head. Apply these 9 strategies and keep your sanity: 1. Let go of guilt and… Don’t "Should” On Yourself Guilt, guilt, guilt is…the most devious of fears because underneath it all, we are afraid ...
Views: 1471 - AN IDIOT’S GUIDE TO SURVIVING THE CORONAVIRUS - by Submitted on Apr 27, 2020 from James Mapes“Fear makes us stupid!” -James Mapes The dictionary defines ‘idiot’ as a stupid person. While the word is not socially acceptable, it serves a purpose here. Fear and uncertainty are not your friends. When we are fearful, we catastrophize. Without knowing it, we make a lot of ‘doom & ...
Views: 926 - Communicate to mute the dark side of the imagination - by Submitted on Oct 02, 2014 from James MapesThe single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. -George Bernard Shaw, playwright Communication is the glue that holds relationships together. So, the question is – Do you believe that you communicate often enough and in the right way to create and ...
Views: 1495 - Communicate to mute the dark side of the imagination - by Submitted on Oct 02, 2014 from James MapesThe single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. -George Bernard Shaw, playwright Communication is the glue that holds relationships together. So, the question is – Do you believe that you communicate often enough and in the right way to create and ...
Views: 1456 - DUCK & COVER: WHY WE WORRY AND HOW TO MANAGE IT - by Submitted on Dec 05, 2016 from James Mapes“If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it's not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever.” ― Dalai Lama XIV Do any of you recall “duck and cover” from the ...
Views: 1289 - DUMP THE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS AND ACHIEVE YOUR DREAMS - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2017 from James MapesYou may be whatever you resolve to be. Determine to be something in the world, and you will be something. “I cannot” never accomplished anything; “I will do” has wrought wonders. -George Gissing – English novelist and teacher How many times have you broken your New Year’s ...
Views: 1578 - FIVE POTENTIAL DARKSIDES TO POSITIVE THINKING - by Submitted on Nov 28, 2023 from James MapesIn Part #1 of ‘Negative vs. Positive Thinking’, I gave you an overview of the conscious and unconscious mind and a glimpse into positive and negative thinking. Review on link below: https://www.jamesmapes.com/james-mapes-blog/negative-vs-positive-thinking-part-1/ In Part #2, we are going ...
Views: 350 - FIVE STEPS TO STOP CATASTROPHIZING AND LIVE AN EXCEPTIONAL LIFE by James Mapes - by Submitted on Mar 29, 2017 from James MapesDrag your thoughts away from your troubles... by the ears, by the heels, or any other way you can manage it. - Mark Twain Catastrophic thinking is the imagination run amuck, worry heightened to the power of ten. It happens when we allow our emotions to dictate how and what we think. It ...
Views: 1815 - HACK YOUR BRAIN WITH A LIFE COACH - by Submitted on Jul 07, 2016 from James Mapes“If you put yourself in a position where you have to stretch outside your comfort zone, then you are forced to expand your consciousness.” -Les Brown, author, speaker “Why would I hire a life coach? I’m intelligent, aware, strong-willed and can make my own decisions without someone ...
Views: 1777 - Harness the “Wild Child” of your Imagination - by Submitted on May 21, 2015 from James MapesWhat is the imagination? It’s elusive. Mark Twain said, “You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” And, Albert Einstein wrote, “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.” The imagination is like a rambunctious, slightly crazy, ...
Views: 1474 - Harness the “Wild Child” of your Imagination - by Submitted on May 21, 2015 from James MapesWhat is the imagination? It’s elusive. Mark Twain said, “You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” And, Albert Einstein wrote, “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.” The imagination is like a rambunctious, slightly crazy, ...
Views: 0 - Harness the “Wild Child” of your Imagination - by Submitted on May 21, 2015 from James MapesWhat is the imagination? It’s elusive. Mark Twain said, “You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” And, Albert Einstein wrote, “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.” The imagination is like a rambunctious, slightly crazy, ...
Views: 1463 - Having a “Plan B” Isn’t Enough: Four strategies to achieve long-term success - by Submitted on Dec 11, 2019 from James Mapes“Always plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.” -Richard C. Cushing, author, “Mission of the Teacher” While in college working on my master’s degree, my mentor said to me, “James, it’s never enough in life to have a ‘Plan B’.” If you’re going to stay ahead of the ...
Views: 788 - How to Adjust Your Attitude - by Submitted on Aug 03, 2018 from James Mapes“A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug.” -Patricia Neal, American actress How does your attitude meter read? Do you generally have a good attitude towards life, expecting the best and tossing aside the garbage that inevitably comes ...
Views: 1474 - HOW TO BE AN ORCHESTRATOR OF YOUR REALITY - by Submitted on Sep 26, 2018 from James Mapes“Future shock is the shattering stress and disorientation that we induce in individuals by subjecting them to too much change in too short a time.” —ALVIN TOFFLER, Future Shock Since we will always move away from what creates the most pain to what creates the least, the question becomes ...
Views: 1234 - How to create high-performance, super-charged teams - by Submitted on Dec 17, 2016 from James MapesMy previous blog explored the value of creating a team model based on the makeup of a hologram. A short recap: What happens when a hologram is cut or divided or cut into a number of pieces? Amazingly, each piece contains the information of the whole from a slightly different perspective. ...
Views: 1353 - How to create your own “Power Master Mind Group” - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2017 from James MapesA must-read book: Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich. Someone gave it to me as a joke, but it was a catalyst that changed my life. Being rich took on a whole new meaning for me. It went far beyond the accumulation of money and material possessions. Hill spoke of being rich in experience, ...
Views: 1336 - How to Explode Creativity: Harness the Conscious Rider and the Subconscious Elephant - by Submitted on Sep 01, 2017 from James MapesOver many years of speaking on the power of the mind and creativity I searched for the ideal metaphor to describe the conscious and subconscious. For a short period I used Plato’s imagery in Phaedrus, in which Socrates refers to our conscious, rational self as a charioteer who is holding on to ...
Views: 1708 - HOW TO EXPLODE YOUR CREATIVITY: THE CYCLE OF DISCOVERY - by Submitted on Sep 01, 2017 from James MapesAs long as you’re green, you’re growing; as soon as you’re ripe, you start to rot. —RAY KROC, founder of McDonald’s Learning is a never-ending cyclical process of discovery. We uncover possibilities within ourselves, transform them into reality, and discover new possibilities again. ...
Views: 1410 - HOW TO HACK YOUR BRAIN FOR MOTIVATION: The Power of Deadline - by Submitted on Mar 07, 2016 from James MapesI have realized and accepted the harsh fact that I sometimes keep myself busy without being productive, that is - I procrastinate. Recently, guilt has begun to creep into my consciousness and guilt in any form is unacceptable to me. So, here I am writing about how to break through ...
Views: 1802 - HOW TO HARNESS THE POWER OF “THE PLACEBO EFFECT” IN SIX STEPS - by Submitted on Feb 21, 2017 from James MapesYou have the power to heal your life, and you need to know that. We think so often that we are helpless, but we are not. We always have the power of our minds… Claim and consciously use your power. -Louise Hay Throughout history, events and happenings that could not be logically ...
Views: 1672 - HOW TO MANAGE CHANGE IN 13 STEPS - by Submitted on Nov 19, 2017 from James MapesIf you have always done it that way, it is probably wrong. —CHARLES KETTERING, inventor of the electric starter for automobiles/ Founder of the S-Kettering Foundation In my previous blog (available on my site: http://www.jamesmapes.com/insights-managing-change-by-james-mapes ) I addressed ...
Views: 1633 - HOW TO RAMP UP YOUR LIFE: 12 STEPS TO SELF-COACHING - by Submitted on Mar 29, 2017 from James MapesEach person holds so much power within themselves that needs to be let out. Sometimes they just need a little nudge, a little direction, a little support, a little coaching, and the greatest things can happen. -Pete Carroll, American football coach What’s your opinion of peak ...
Views: 1199 - HOW TO REFRAME YOUR THINKING: A CHANGE OF PERSPECTIVE - by Submitted on Mar 23, 2018 from James MapesSow a thought, reap an act; Sow an act, reap a habit; Sow a habit, reap a character; Sow a character, reap a destiny. --Anonymous When my doctor told me, “You need heart surgery immediately,” I thought it was the end. Of course, he was trying to communicate that a successful operation would ...
Views: 1675 - HOW TO TURN HOPELESS INTO HOPEFUL by James Mapes - by Submitted on Jan 26, 2017 from James MapesThe secret is not to give up hope. It's very hard not to because if you're really doing something worthwhile I think you will be pushed to the brink of hopelessness before you come through the other side. –George Lucas Everyone experiences emotional or physical trauma. Perhaps due to ...
Views: 1742 - HOW TO ”LET GO” …OF THE ROPE (Part 1) - by Submitted on Aug 03, 2018 from James Mapes“In the beginning, it is difficult letting go. But as you get into the swing of it, you will feel lighter and fresher and better able to see what you really need. That is what I imagine spring cleaning is truly about.” —SUSAN JEFFERS, END THE STRUGGLE AND DANCE WITH LIFE FYI: (The ...
Views: 1333 - HOW TO ”LET GO” …OF THE ROPE (Part 2) - by Submitted on Aug 03, 2018 from James MapesSome of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go. -Hermann Hesse, Poet I strongly suggest you read Part 1 of this series:. http://www.jamesmapes.com/how-to-let-go-of-the-rope-part-1 FYI: (The Conscious Mind=The Rider; The Unconscious Mind=The ...
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