SelfGrowth.comThe Self Improvement Guide

About Professional DashboardDashboard Browse Topics Create Professional AccountCreate Account

Home/
Articles

Browse SelfGrowth articles

Loading the searchable article library…

SelfGrowth.comThe Self Improvement Guide

Explore experts, guides, articles, videos, and events by topic.

Explore

All topics Experts Guides Articles Videos

Platform

About SelfGrowth Websites Newsletters Events Become an Official Guide Contact

Compliance

Legal

Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions Cookie Policy

Your choices

Privacy Requests

Help improve SelfGrowth

Accounts

Personal account Create Professional Account Become a Contributor

SelfGrowth helps readers explore personal growth topics with clear paths into guides, experts, and related resources.

Home/
Experts/
Valencia Ray/
Articles

Articles by Valencia Ray

Browse published articles attributed to Valencia Ray, with full-archive search.

articles: 127

Explore

TopicsBrowse every topic ExpertsFind people ArticlesRead guidance WebsitesOpen resources EventsSee sessions VideosWatch clips

⌕

SortRecommended Most viewed Most recent Highest rated Alphabetical

Showing 101–127

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Transforming Your Business Starts with Transforming YOU

Transformation feels scary. Why? It is mostly because we’ve been conditioned unwittingly to think of change as “life threatening.” Granted, we have an instinct for survival wired into our brain, yet we have a greater authority – conscious choice – that can temper the violence of this fear-response to change. If we do not realize that we can “rewire” our brain and change this perception, we will continue to act robotically. This would not be so unhealthy if we had not been programmed with so much fear and limitation in our thinking. Who wired us? Where does this come from?

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,043 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Focus on the Core Four for More Effective Productivity

Effective productivity comes from managing our energy, not our time. Time is a construct, and everyone gets the same amount every day. The issue is not how much time as much as it is how much energy and how you are using and renewing. Energy is the capacity to do work. When we re-energize the whole of ourselves — spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physical — we will have more energy to be productive. These four areas need optimum functioning to achieve optimum results.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,026 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

I Believe What I Believe Until…

I believe what I believe until I change my mind. Seasons change. And you have a birthright and choice to change yours too when it is expedient to do so. It’s not about what you believe as right or wrong as much as it is expanding your sense of self-actualization (as Maslow would have said), compassion, love, purpose, and meaning—for yourself and those you interact with. Does it expand your light and your vision for your life, or does it keep you in the darkness of fear?

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,020 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

5 Keys to Attracting the Change that You Want in Business and Life

Business and personal life are directly connected, with the common denominator being you, haven’t you noticed? It’s time to integrate ourselves into the whole being that we are. Law of Attraction is simply this: the vibrational pattern of energy from thought and feeling that is affecting your perceptional system and connecting with like thoughts and feelings from others.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,018 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Are You Good Enough Yet?

Core confidence is the key to breaking the never-ending cycle of not being "good enough". As you know "good enough" is relative so how could you ever make this determination as a way to being? It is so connected to "doing" that you will always have something else to, well, do. Basing your confidence and self-esteem on what you accomplish, your job title or how much money you make is a bottomless pit - here today, gone tomorrow.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,017 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

3 Key Reasons Why Self-Love Is Not Narcissism And Why Should You Care

Confidence is a key element to empowerment. If you can't speak up, take risks or all too often buckle under the opinions of others, your gifts and talents will likely never reach authentic expression. Let me say that confidence from the core, authentic self is what I am referring to.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,009 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

The Paradox of Declining Happiness in Women

I came across a study by Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers in the American Economic journal: the link is at the end of this post. The conclusion was essentially that women are not happier despite educational gains, social status and higher levels of economic power; in fact maybe they are less happy.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,009 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Visioning by Design: What’s the Difference Between Thinking and Believing?

Law of Attraction is tied to what I call “visioning by design.” Visioning by design is applicable to your business or to your personal life. As an eye surgeon, vision has always been near and dear to my heart in the literal sense, and as someone who has always had an interest in personal growth and living with purpose and personal power, “life vision” is also top of mind. Belief is what will bring the experience of your vision to your life, not just “thinking about it.”

Primary topic: Empowerment

999 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Want More Personal Power? Feel Into It!

Personal power is something that many people think they can “get” by controlling or manipulating others. Actually, power comes from “being” personal power. It’s a quality of radiance. I would not call power over others, personal power. I see that as mere force, based in scarcity and fear mentality. Do you realize that “survival of the fittest” is really just a paradigm? Science already shows that there is no “objective” reality, and Einstein said long ago “reality is an illusion; albeit a very persistent one.”

Primary topic: Empowerment

988 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Self Esteem - Who is That Mean Girl and Why is She Still Bullying Me?

Self-esteem and self-image make a huge difference in the level of success you can have not only in your business, but it will affect relationships and even health. There have actually been studies that show that low self-esteem lowers your health, as for one thing, it impacts your susceptibility to stress and ineffective self-care.

Primary topic: Empowerment

973 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Self-Acceptance and Confidence Make Business Networking Easier

Face it—social networking is not a new concept; it’s ancient. Human beings are social creatures and in-person contact cannot be replaced in its entirety by online social networking. I’ve thought about this before, and today I read an article in Fast Company on the topic. Skype is certainly closer to in-person networking than any of the three big social media platforms—Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn—yet in-person networking has many benefits. Here are three:

Primary topic: Empowerment

964 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Leading Change: Emotion Can Make or Break the Best Laid Logic

Leading change can be tricky because not only does it take courage to innovate, it takes courage to breach subjects that make “stuck” cultures… well, stuck! There has been a tacit agreement in business culture to avoid addressing emotion/feelings at all costs. Yet, it is this very issue that creates dysfunctional teams that lead to financial waste and lack of employee engagement. It is also not good for change and innovation. Why? Until we address what creates “fear of change”—perceptions about feelings and emotion—we have essentially hit the proverbial brick wall.

Primary topic: Empowerment

941 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

3 Practical Spirituality Tips for Daily Earth Living

Practical spirituality is essential to live a whole, healthy, and integrated lifestyle. Your spirit/soul is actually the source of your “consciousness,” the root of your awareness, and the spark of life that is the core, real YOU. If you ignore it, it can negatively impact your overall wellness, peace of mind, and meaning to life.

Primary topic: Empowerment

917 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

The Rarely Traveled Path to Likeability

Likeability is good for your relationship health. I’m reading “The Likeability Factor” by Tim Sanders, and he also gives lots of WIIFM (What’s In It For Me) reasons why one should choose to be likeable. It will impact your health, wealth and relationships — the “big three” for most people. I’m not finished with the book yet, so I can’t speak to all of his conclusions. I can say that he is witty, inspiring, and gives practical tips to being more “likable.”

Primary topic: Empowerment

913 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Peace of Mind and Adaptability to Change Depends on HOW You See

Innovation, adapting to change, and peace of mind depend not on what you see, but how you see it. Here are some tips to help you shorten your to-do list, increase your clarity, and decrease your overwhelm. Let’s look at work. There is so much busyness and “doing” that it has gotten out of control and is causing suffering and illness now.

Primary topic: Empowerment

908 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Self-Love and Compassion Are Good For You – Finally Some Research!

Self-love and compassion are things I have intermittently blogged about for three years now. I typically include the disclaimer that I’m not referring to “narcissism” or “conceit” because, believe it or not, that’s the way it is defined in some reference dictionaries! Finally, some research for the skeptics who are unwittingly killing themselves with all of their self-rejection and “logic-only” thinking.

Primary topic: Empowerment

904 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Self Esteem and Confidence: Why Self Acceptance Accelerates Personal Growth

Core confidence, coming from an inner place of authenticity by default will cultivate a healthy sense of self-esteem. Let’s get clear here: self-esteem as I define it is not narcissism and is essential to personal power and a secure self-image. If you buy into the idea that putting yourself down is “humble” or that what others say about you defines who you are and determines your level of confidence, you cannot live an empowered life.

Primary topic: Empowerment

903 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Happiness: Are Your Perceptions Creating Cataracts of The Soul?

Happiness and peace of mind seems to be on many people's minds. After all, happiness and peace of mind are two elements that make for a life well lived. The challenge though is being clear enough to stay focused on principles that allow us to avoid getting pulled into the trap of "common knowledge". Common knowledge is often simply hand-me-down opinions that have been accepted as "just the way life is". There is not a way life is that is universally true. What determines how you see life is the filter that you see the facts around you through, known as perception.

Primary topic: Empowerment

898 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Intuition in Business: Trust Your Gut; It is More Insightful Than You (Can) Think

Intuition is helpful in business success on several levels, not to mention its usefulness in everyday living. It can help you with innovation, hiring, and even choosing your ideal clients or whom you should take on as a client. It is being studied more in science and this is a great idea – finally progress! I notice that some people prefer the term “gut instinct” and this is fine, whatever suits you. Language can often get in the way of innovation when people have to be “right” as much of how we communicate is really quite subjective and based on our own perceptions.

Primary topic: Empowerment

898 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Self-Love is Narcissism; Really?

Self-love gets a bum rap. Why? It’s because of the way we define it as a culture, and since “perception is reality,” we start to believe that this is “just the way life is.” I looked up the definition of “self-love” on Dictionary.com, and it is defined as: 1. the instinct by which one’s actions are directed to the promotion of one’s own welfare or well being, especially an excessive regard for one’s own advantage. 2. conceit; vanity. 3. narcissism

Primary topic: Empowerment

895 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Mindset Matters: Are You Producing Results or Just Doing Too Much?

Results matter to your life’s bottom line. Accomplishment vs Doing: They are not the same thing. You can accomplish more by doing less if you have clarity and focus, which comes from a quiet and clear mind.

Primary topic: Empowerment

885 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Self Esteem: The Secret to Uncovering Hidden Personal Power Is the Ego Shadow

Self-esteem is essential to living free of exte al "busy bodies" that want to tell you have to live. It is very important to love and accept yourself if you want freedom of expression and to live out a high level of your potential gifts and talents. As long as you are "looking for love in all the wrong places" you will not find it. You must first begin within and then you will see it "with out" - out there in the world. Now ego gets a bad rap and a lot of people who are seeking spiritual principles are inclined to think that they need to get rid of it.

Primary topic: Empowerment

850 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Confidence and Self Image: What Part in the Game of Life Is Playing You?

Self-image and confidence is not to be taken lightly. You cannot really rise above, or at least stay above your self-image. In fact, your brain acts as a cybe etic mechanism, which is a fancy way of saying "thermostat". Whatever is your set point tends to be your self-fulfilling prophecy. If you have a low self-image, you tend to struggle more with confidence and fear of rejection. You are less likely to take risks, and I certainly can say that dealing with change will be frightening if you are afraid of going into the unknown.

Primary topic: Empowerment

826 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Personal Power: Is 'Shame on You' Still Holding You Back?

Shame and guilt are two feelings that not only limit one’s sense of personal power – they can also subtly cause things like procrastination and fear of “getting out there” in our business. rn.r

Primary topic: Empowerment

801 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Money and Career: The Real Truth About Manifesting Your Bliss

Career transition has money and career on many women's minds lately. Since many women are sensing the change in the air, I've heard several comments about using this time of workplace instability to "find your bliss". What I've noticed is that often it is believed that if you "just do what you love", you will be successful and your hobby will morph into a business that can take the place of your job. It would be nice if all we had to do were "build it and they will come".

Primary topic: Empowerment

777 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Self Esteem and Confidence - Why Self Acceptance Accelerates Personal Growth

Core confidence, coming from an inner place of authenticity by default will cultivate a healthy sense of self-esteem. Let's get clear here: self-esteem as I define it is not narcissism and is essential to personal power and a secure self-image. If you buy into the idea that putting yourself down is "humble" or that what others say about you defines who you are and determines your level of confidence, you cannot live an empowered life.

Primary topic: Empowerment

775 views

By Valencia RayRecently published1 topic

Career Transition and Change: Who Do You Think You Are?

Career and business success depends on this question: Who do you think you are? Often this question is asked with an attitude, as in “you must think you’re somebody”. Well, yes, I do, and you should too. Not only are you “somebody” you are unique, special and it’s time to stop playing small and letting the world around you define you. Since the default setting for the mindset of the world is so constricted, and limited, focused far more on lack than on abundance, if you plug into this viewpoint – you are bound for lack and struggle right out the gate.

Primary topic: Empowerment

745 views

Previous pagePage 3

Back to top ↑