Self-Improvement Secrets

* Perfectionism is a time waster.

Strive for excellence on important issues and ordinary best for everyday tasks. Do not waste your time on needless details.

* Be flexible.

Organize things the way they work for you. The principle of organizing is to be able to find what you want when you want it.

* Simplify.

No matter how much you seek change, it is impossible if there is no room for change. Busyness and over spending leaves you feeling overwhelmed, stressed and yearning for a simpler life. Letting go of clutter and attachments can be painful. Ask for help. Consider a trusted friend, family member or professional organizer who can keep you focused. (Telephone and email coaching are available. For more information contact: Judith@OrganizingResources.com)

* Clean out your closets.

Take time to remove what you no longer wear or use. Statistics show that we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. That means that there are a whole lot of clothes just waiting for the infrequent occasion to wear them. Do you really need to keep so many?

* Measure progress in terms of percentages.

The point of Self-Improvement is to increase your batting average. Changing a habit 10% of the time is a positive step in the right direction. Give yourself credit for the progress you are making. (Ty Cobb, baseball's legendary all-time leading hitter, had a lifetime batting average of 367, which means nearly five out of eight times at bat he made an out.)

* Treat yourself kindly.

Positive self-talk produces better results than degradation. ("I have missed more than 9000 shots in my career; I have lost almost 300 games; on 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot...and missed; I have failed over and over and over again in my life, and that is why I succeed," states Michael Jordan, basketball's greatest.)

* Someone once said, "It is not how much you make that counts, it is how much you KEEP."

Pay attention to where you are spending and start a savings plan with spare change. It will mount up and your abundance will grow.

* Relax.

Stress depletes the immune system. Seek balance in your life and learn deep breathing exercises. Press your tongue onto the roof of your mouth and slowly breathe in through your nose continuing until you are fully inflated. Hold and notice how much oxygen you bring into your starving tissues. Release your breath by exhaling through your mouth. Repeat as often as necessary.

* Laugh.

Why does it feel so good to laugh? Because endorphins are released from the brain every time you do it. Endorphins have a morphine-like affect and are often referred to as the body's own opiates. Endorphin pushers: smiling and laughing, exercising, positive thinking, connecting with family and friends, celebrations, receiving recognition and experiencing nature up close and personal.

* Get a life!

This clich? is usually said with sarcasm. However, it is actually very good advice. Are you among the multitude that invests in an abundant lifestyle? Do you think you need that new car, boat or expensive vacation to feel successful? Would life be perfect if you had that new suit, a diamond ring or a bigger TV? Our homes have become a warehouse for possessions that enhance our lifestyle but fall short of enhancing our life.

* Choose to be happy.

Happiness is not found in ownership of material possessions. Rather, it comes from deep within. Each morning make a conscious decision to have a good day. Instead of waiting for things to get better, be grateful for what you already have. "Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get," stated Dale Carnegie, 1888-1955, American Author and Self-Improvement Trainer

Judith Kirk, owner of www.organizingresources.com provides coaching in simplification and organization mastery. She uses a holistic approach to teach life management skills and assures an immediate physical, emotional and psychological payoff when chaos and clutter are eliminated. The impact of simplifying and organizing renews the spirit and builds confidence. Order is the foundation upon which to build inner peace, contentment and joy in life. Subscribe to Free monthly newsletter at www.organizingresources.com.

cleaning lady near Wilmette ...
In The News:

Bedrock Robotics says its autonomous excavators are doing paid earthwork on active job sites in Texas and Nevada with no operator in the cab.
A dedicated banking computer isolates your financial accounts from malware and phishing, but passwords, SIM swapping and outdated software remain risks.
The OlloNi SS1 AI robot pet uses a 4K camera and facial recognition to learn your family, but its removable Red Heart memory module raises questions.
Nine identity theft warning signs range from unfamiliar credit inquiries to SIM swap attacks that can quietly drain your bank account funds.
Robot.com's R-dog uses articulated legs and wheels to climb stairs and deliver packages, while its built-in screens display paid ads along the route.
MyChart phishing emails mimic real patient portal alerts with fake lab results and malware tricks that target Windows users across the country.
The Fox News AI Newsletter covers the latest artificial intelligence technology advancements, including the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Google's Motion Assist places animated dots on Pixel screens to combat motion sickness in vehicles, but the Android 17 rollout remains limited.
Moving to a 55+ community can quickly expose your data to scammers and data brokers before you even unpack, putting your whole family at risk.
Amazon Prime Air drone delivery plans to reach nearly 500 U.S. cities by the end of 2026, but your yard and ZIP code may determine eligibility.
The FBI reports nearly $21 billion in cybercrime losses for 2025, up 26%, as AI scams make fake voices and identities more convincing than ever.
Uber teen accounts now feature live video streaming from the driver's camera, but encrypted recordings stay on Uber's servers for up to 14 days.
Router firewalls and software firewalls serve different roles in protecting your home Wi-Fi from unwanted traffic and suspicious connections.
A Chrome extension with 70,000 users and a 4.7-star rating began injecting fake update warnings after a threat actor acquired and weaponized it.
Amazon's Alexa+ rolls out free to Fire TV devices across the U.S., but hands-free microphones and stored voice data raise key privacy questions.
Meta's new teen accounts settlement sets a default two-hour daily limit on Instagram and Facebook, plus night mode and school mode restrictions.
The CareCloud data breach exposed Social Security numbers, banking information and medical records belonging to more than 3.75 million people.
Waymo reveals its custom 5-nanometer chip and dual computing systems designed to take over instantly if the robotaxi's primary computer fails.
Identity theft now includes account takeover, phone hijacking and payment card exposure. Here's what to look for in identity theft protection services.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
The FBI and Justice Department seized domains tied to QScan and QTRouter, tools allegedly used by China-linked hackers to breach NASA and other agencies.
Uber Eats drone delivery launches later this year through a Zipline partnership, starting in Dallas and Houston with a goal of one million daily flights.
Medicare Open Enrollment scams start with data broker targeting months before October. Learn why August is the time to remove your personal info.
The World Humanoid Robot Games' crashes show how far the technology still needs to go to be useful, "Survivor" reality TV star and robotics scientist Christian Hubicki says.
X-Humanoid's TianGong Ultra ran 100 meters in 9.32 seconds at Beijing's World Humanoid Robot Games, beating last year's winner by more than half.

Success Doesnt Always Come Easy

On a raw, cold day in the European Alps, Lance... Read More

7.9 Things I Learned About Success From Darth Vader

Unless you have been living in a cave, you have... Read More

What is Failure Anyway?

Does it surprise you that only 400 cokes were sold... Read More

An Honest Commitment To Action Is Key To Your Success

With topics in personal development ranging from goal setting to... Read More

Unlock The Key To Your Success By Learning More About Yourself

Finding balance is deciding to notice what goes on in... Read More

The Failure Misconception

Most dictionary entries would define failure as the simple lack... Read More

Falling Up the Stairs

There have been a lot of really good movies made... Read More

The Gravitational Pull of ANTs, WORMS & FEARS

What is an ANT? An ANT is an acronym for... Read More

If You Compare, Beware!

Picture this scene: Little Johnny's mother places a large piece... Read More

Psychological Tips For Effective Examination Techniques

One of the inevitabilities of University life is the examination.... Read More

Avoid The Thirteen Habits of a Failure

Jim Rohn, the success guru and mentor, said, "Failure is... Read More

Life Lesson--Be, Do, Have

This revelation hit me the other day while I was... Read More

Success Lessons From Josey Wales

The Outlaw Josey Wales is an interesting Western that I... Read More

How To Reverse Engineer Your Success

The best and fastest way to learn how to make... Read More

Success Lessons From A Gym Wall And From The Rematch

Recently, I have been riveted by the amazing reality show... Read More

Let It Be You

Each and every day, there are people all around the... Read More

Failure

Any person who goes through life without experiencing failure is... Read More

Extend Your Influence Without Shortening Your Life

Please repeat these four words out loud: "Maximum Impact....Minimal Touch"... Read More

7 Ways to improve Your Listening Skills

Do you know how much time do you spend listening?... Read More

How My Friend Bob Went From Being A Failure To A Winner By Taking Intelligent Action

Let me tell you story about a friend of mine... Read More

Remembering What You Read - Nine Effective Strategies

Reading lots these days? Having trouble remembering and recalling? For... Read More

Learn To Fail - Its Good For You!

As a child you probably learned failing is bad...Failing meant... Read More

What is Success?

A company entitled "Made for Success" begs the question: Just... Read More

The 7 Ultimate Laws Of Success

There are certain laws that when obeyed will bring great... Read More

Seven Keys To Success In The Information Age

In 1989, when the Berlin Wall came down and the... Read More

family-safe home cleaners Highland Park ...