Happiness and "Success" Depend on the Friends You Keep

As we age, we often find out that our parents were actually pretty smart after all!  (I can hear teenagers scoffing everywhere!)   And one adage that I heard time and again is "It matters who your friends are."

Once we know what we value, and where we want to go, it's important to surround ourselves with people who hold us to a higher standard in those area.  Whether it's something as simple as associating with people who are fit if you want to exercise more, or as complex as a life-long strategy to have an income independent of a regular wage, research is showing that one of the key factors is: who are your friends?

We often choose those who are, literally, closest to us. (And truth be know, we have more satisfying relationships with people who are in close proximity of 1.5 kms, as opposed to somebody on the other side of the world).  But proximity should not the THE requirement for friendship.

After all, we are who we associate with.

I'm not sure who said that, or if anybody said that.  But if nobody did, then... well... I just did and I claim it... ;)   Dibs!

https://journal.thriveglobal.com/surround-yourself-with-people-who-hold-you-to-a-higher-standard-than-you-hold-yourself-308917d0e5fe

Author Says "Stand Firm: Resist the Self-Help Craze"

I enjoyed reading this article about seven things we can do to resist the self-help craze trap.  I agree that anything carried too far is not good.  I too have wanted a break from constantly thinking and ruminating on what I need to do to be better.  Sometimes I just want to play a video game or have a drink and get goofy.

So please, yes, take breaks from "self-improvement" and "self-help".  Don't take yourself or life too seriously or you might just miss having a life!  Oh gosh... sorry... that's sort of starting to sound like help!

Here's the article with the seven helpful hints on avoid help.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/stand-firm/201702/how-stand-firm-in-runaway-world

Beat Procrastination by Planning Time to Play

... copied verbatim from site at link below...

Neil Fiore, in his book The Now Habit, talks about creating what he calls “the unschedule,” a system that aims to do the laughable—the unthinkable, even—of only committing 30 minutes a day to productive work. But before scheduling your work, he recommends scheduling your play.

Excuses that go through a procrastinator's mind to justify putting things off are excuses like, "I haven't had enough time to play, so I need to watch 10 YouTube videos to feel relief from my stressful job.” Procrastinators use the excuse that play is lacking in their day to justify why they should procrastinate more.

By using the unschedule, you prioritize the thing that you need the most if you feel overwhelming stress from work—guilt-free play, or simply some fun. Fun and creativity are how we make connections in our work that we wouldn't normally make while we are actually at our day jobs. That's why “shower thoughts” exists as a subforum on Reddit.

We can create powerful connections by using play, but unless we prioritize it and make it happen on a daily basis, it won’t happen. Instead, work takes over as the main priority throughout the day. If that's the case, then it's no wonder that we feel overworked.

Following the unschedule means that you need to schedule things such as appointments with friends, hangout time, family time and weekend activities. It means planning out a whole day of rest that involves doing maybe a few minor chores here or there and scheduling a day to truly enjoy life. It means scheduling your breaks every day, if you can get them. It means scheduling things like a lunch break or a meeting with someone in your network.

By following the unschedule and prioritizing play, you create a sense of calmness. And when your playful activity is over or your break is over, you create an urgency within yourself and say, "Okay, now I can work."

http://www.pharmacytimes.com/contributor/alex-barker-pharmd/2017/03/can-you-prioritize-fun-in-order-to-beat-procrastination-