All posts by Jason Townsend

About Jason Townsend

Jason is a young Aussie who just loves to push the boundaries of, well, everything. An avid entrepreneur and adventurer, and an aspiring writer and teacher of his craft, he is exploring ways to express his creativity and assist others with their personal growth.

The Best US Cell Phone Plan for Freelance Writers & Travellers

Digital Nomad, ,

Getting the best coverage out of my mobile phone plan is a must when running a business on the road, so I’ve spent a good chunk of my 1.5 months in the “States” figuring out which is the best US cell phone plan for freelance writers. My process of elimination, as primitive as it may seem, has been something like this.

It’s 7pm and we’re fast approaching our camp for the night – recommended by Google – so it’s time to see if our current mobile plan for USA travel will allow us to stay in this quiet, remote woodland in Tennessee. Five miles out, and things are looking dim.

It’s 7pm and we’re fast approaching our camp for the night – recommended by Google – so it’s time to see if our current mobile plan for USA travel will allow us to stay in this quiet, remote woodland in Tennessee. 5 miles out, and things are looking dim.

“What’s the signal like, baby?” I ask my wife in the passenger seat. “1 bar of LTE,” she replies. “Wait… It’s gone over to E.”

Party’s over. For the next 4 miles down the dark, windy forest road, the cell phone signal continues to fluctuate, resting in the unusable “E” zone by the time we arrive. Looks like it’s going to be a short stay…

As my story goes, the downside of my digital nomad lifestyle in the US so far has been the time spent chasing cell phone coverage so I can combine my dream of crossing the border from city-scape to landscape, while growing a successful freelance writing business at the same time. This dream has been continually thwarted by over-optimistic cell phone coverage maps, and lack of a travellers mobile plan which actually suits my digital nomad lifestyle.

But over the 6 weeks that I’ve now spent travelling across the eastern US states – from Indiana to Alabama – I can now say that I’ve found the best phone carrier that suits my criteria and support the needs of my freelance writing business and location independence.

My Criteria for the Best Phone Carrier

Before diving into the best phone carrier, let’s first look at my criteria to find the best US cell phone plan for freelance writers. My requirements were simple:

  • To be prepaid (I have no US credit to buy into a plan. Plus, I hate contracts)
  • Have excellent network coverage to remote locations
  • At least 5GB of high-speed data (4G LTE)
  • The option for roaming to Mexico and Canada at reasonable rates (my future travel destinations).

As a professional freelance writer and with a wife who also runs an online math tutoring business, the criteria above give us enough data between our house sitting assignments to keep earning an income while we travel.

T Mobile: Nice Try

I had done the research before leaving Canada, and the plans offered by cell phone carrier T Mobile seemed to be a good option for a travellers mobile phone plan. But the company I actually went with was a new service provider, MetroPCS, a subsidiary company of T Mobile who use the same network.

With an irresistible prepaid plan, 28GB of high-speed LTE data, unlimited calling, and Mexico roaming for an extra $5/month, the $60/month plan seemed a dream come true. Add to that the promise of excellent coverage from a “Nationwide Network”, and the deal was done.

Unfortunately, the coverage map was a little optimistic. More often the outcome was excellent coverage around cities, larger towns, and interstate highways, then almost nothing in most rural areas that I traveled.

I wanted a mobile phone for USA travel that allowed me to go places away from these hotspots, and continue to keep my freelance writing business ticking away at the same time.

The search would continue…

AT&T to the Rescue

Now I’m not a sponsor for AT&T, but after going back to the drawing board, consulting my criteria, and sketching out a better idea of the US prepaid cell phone market, I have since settled on good old AT&T.

AT&T offers a new prepaid product called GoPhone which has been the best phone carrier option for my travel and business workings while in the US.

I started on the $45/month plan, as the first month of usage corresponded with a lengthy house sitting assignment with access to WiFi. But the beauty of prepaid is that I can swap and change as I need, so I will eventually use the $60/month option which, in my opinion, is the best cell phone plan for freelance writers and digital nomads traveling in North America.

This $60/month option gives me:

  • 6GB high-speed LTE data (capped at 128kB/s thereafter) – plenty for all my photos, blogs, WordPress updates, and freelance writing gigs.
  • WordPress updates, and freelance writing gigs.
  • Unlimited calls and SMS across the US – not a big selling point, but nice to have.
  • Free international data roaming in Mexico and Canada – a must for the next leg of my journey south of the border.

All this for $60/month. And if I sign up for automatic recharge (AutoPay), then I get a $5 discount. That’s $55/month for a great travellers mobile phone plan that I can use more places than T Mobile, and even while I sit sipping mock-tails on the beach in Mexico. What a dream!

Finally, a Cell Phone Plan for Freelance Writers That Really Delivers

I’m happy to say that a couple of weeks’ in, the AT&T setup has been quick and easy, and coverage is much better in remote areas. My freelancing business is more consistent, I’m working from stunning US locations I’ve been dreaming about (Smoky Mountains anyone?), and I’m meeting deadlines again now that I have greater reliability in cell phone coverage.

If you’re a fellow digital nomad traveling across the US, or a writer looking for the best cell phone plan for freelance writers, then you can either take my experience on board or test them out for yourself. Other carriers are out there – T Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, Virgin Mobile, US Cellular etc., so there’s no shortage of choice.

Over to you. What is your experience with US cell phone carriers? Have you found a better option?

Leave your tips in the comments below!

 

References
MetroPCS
AT&T GoPhone

The conundrum of comparison – why it’s best to stand on your own two feet

BOOK UPDATE!

Yep, I’m working on my very first book! I’m not yet ready to share the title with you, but I can say that it’s full of mindful tips to live even better. Sign up to my email updates to receive regular newsletters and updates on the progress of my writing!

 

I begin this post reflecting on my recent travel to Bali. As I met fellow travellers or overheard tales of exotic journeys, lavish accommodations, and tales of endless exciting locations to explore, I found myself attempting to match (or go one better) their stories with my own, since I didn’t want to feel insignificant or be left out.

I was comparing myself to others.

Now, as I adjust to life back in Australia, I notice that this doesn’t just apply to travel. I observe many others, and find myself on the odd occasion, falling into the trap of the destructive tendency to compare with others. It seems I’m not alone in this observation, as I recently received an email update from Leo Babauta with his post on comparison.

Yes, comparison is a conundrum that affects the best of us.

I’m sure you’re familiar with the old saying “it’s like comparing apples with oranges”. Think about it. You can’t. They’re two totally different fruits. It just doesn’t work, so how can we compare ourselves to other, totally different, and wonderfully unique people?

You can’t. Logically, we all know that. Let the apple and the orange be a prime example of this.

Why do we continue to compare to others, and why is it a good habit to learn the art of inner contentment?

Why we dare to compare

Comparison is a useful tool. We use it in our daily lives to assist in assessment of our options, and with great affect. After all, how do we know if we’re getting the best deal on peanut butter unless we have something else to compare to?

Peanut butter references aside, comparison is a tool used daily by each and every one of us – in both a positive and a negative sense.

Used to evaluate material objects (such as peanut butter), comparison can be of benefit and enable us to make a decision and move forward, rather than procrastinate and become stuck.

It’s when comparison is used on an emotional level that things can go pear-shaped, and it’s this form of comparison which I shall cover more in this post.

In the past, I have found myself using comparison in the following ways:

  • Social status/ranking – In the instance of travel, it’s easy to listen to other tales of exciting travels and become jealous, envious, and resentful towards the other person. I have experienced this first hand many times. The person storytelling has done nothing wrong, yet I found myself breeding resentment and negativity which was fuelled by jealousy of their tales! I would hence feel obliged to intercept their tale and begin my own story, attempting to gain admiration and respect of others in the group and the person with whom my conversation was centred. Those of you who’ve read How to Win Friends and Influence People will know that behaviour such as this is no way to go about it. Rather than curing myself of my discontentment, my rude interruption and generation of competition will likely create resentment, anger, disinterest, and a loss of respect from the person I’m conversing with. Comparison is a conversation killer – everyone appreciates a listening ear, and nobody likes being interrupted. Talking over others and stealing conversation isn’t polite. That’s a universal fact.
  • Feeling of importance – Similar to obtaining a higher status in a social circle, comparison can easily be used to generate an air of importance about yourself when, in truth, there’s nothing (and nobody) you are able to compare to. Sill, we try, fail, and try again – it’s what we’re trained to do by pop culture and media. Images of beautiful models, ripped abdominals, and fast, luxurious cars – these are all enticing us to want more, to dream more, and to compare with what we don’t have. Yes, it’s important to dream big and reach for the stars, as it’s how we grow. However, it’s also wise to recognize that your dreams are not the dreams of others. Build dreams around you and what you desire and what you aspire to. There’s no need to aspire to be the next Brad Pitt. Your journey will generate negativity and resentment of yourself if you do, since you will struggle to model this ideal picture of yourself (which by the way is not real, but rather a an image portrayed by the media).
  • Make ourselves feel better – Sometimes, there is no better reason to compare to others, other than to make us feel better. Ever get bullied when you were younger? Chances are the bully was trying to prove something. He (or she) was trying to make you feel insignificant by making a comparison of your (over-animated) situation to either themselves or another popular, significant figure at the time (e.g. the popular student). This can be used in the most peculiar ways. For instance, I remember being bullied when I was young for being ‘rich’, because I received a motorcycle for Christmas. This was upsetting for me, as my family was nothing of the sort, and I didn’t think highly of the label ‘rich’ at the time. The bully was getting the upper hand by using a comparison fuelled by jealousy. Did he feel better for doing so? Unlikely, especially in the long term.

In all situations, there’s no advantage in making comparison to others. It’s a dangerous game – one that will see you lose more than you ever thought you could gain.

Stand tall – how to avoid comparison cutting you short

Comparison is everywhere. It’s both useful and harmful to our being, depending on how you use it.

How can you step aside and control the urge to compare?

  • Practice active listening – Stop, appreciate, and recognize it’s not yet your turn. Got constructive feedback? Mid conversation isn’t the right time. Practice the habit of waiting until the speaker has finished. This will give you time to think over your well-scripted response to the person whom your attention is devoted, and will allow the complete transmittal of facts that you otherwise would have interrupted. I’m guilty for finishing the sentences of those I listen to, as I assume I know the answer to the topic which is spoken. Quite often, I’m proven wrong. It’s annoying to be interrupted, and the same goes for instances of comparison to others in conversation. Whether it be a direct interruption or a change of direction in the conversation, the result is the same. Learn to sit and listen to the whole story before telling yours.
  • Get curious – Recognize and note the wisdom you’re blessed to be hearing! If jealousy or resentment begin to rear their ugly heads, take a breath and remember to appreciate the time this person is taking to provide you with valuable knowledge you didn’t know before. Open your mind to the possibility that your attention to this person may lead to a higher understanding, new knowledge, and new friendships that excel your journey forward on new and exciting paths. There’s growth to be found in the journeys of others, not in the comparison with your own. Use the knowledge and apply it if it fits.
  • Recognise you’re on another journey – Everywhere you look, it’s possible to encounter something bigger, something better, something more. Your best friend buys your dream car. Your younger sibling marries and has children before you do. Your Facebook feed is rich with vagabonding travellers’ tales. The instances to make comparison are endless, and it’s easy to find yourself wanting the join the journey of others. If that’s the case, step back and ask yourself if it’s really what you want, or is it what you’re expected to want. It’s easy to become wrapped up in pressures society has constructed – you know, the whole get educated, get a job, get married, have kids, buy a house…. – and lose track of who you are and what you value most. Put these feelings of lust aside and remind yourself of the unique and wonderfully you journey that you’ve created for yourself.

Above all, it’s best to appreciate and be thankful for the exposure to the new and interesting ideas which have graced your awareness, and which you may use to shape your own future. Acknowledge, store the useful stuff, dispel lingering thoughts, then focus on the here and now. Dwelling on instantaneous emotions and future desires fuelled by comparison is counterproductive to your being, so take note and move on swiftly.

There’s bigger fish to fry.

 

I write here about comparison since it has affected, and continues to affect my life (much less nowadays thankfully) on a regular basis. As I pursue a path less travelled with my passion by writing to you here, it’s easy to be ridiculed by others close to you, and yearn for a stable career with an income to support a comfortable life. After realizing my values and working more on my passion, I now know it’s not what I want, so mu strength to fight against comparison is much stronger. 

Have you been affected by comparison? How have you tackled it? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading my work. I apologize it has been so long between posts. My recovery from travel and some unforeseen personal matters created a slight bum in my progress, but I’m getting back on track now!

Remember, if you like what you read here, please share with your friends on social media. The more people I can inspire, the happier I’ll be.

Until next time, be mindful…

Jason

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How to let go of the perfectionist and love your perfect imperfections

This beautiful song by John Legend resonates strongly within my heart.

His powerful words “love your perfect imperfections” are such a valuable concept that can be applied to your loved ones, and directly to the love for yourself and your ability to grow.

As I reflect on some wonderful comments from my previous post on practicing mindful habits, I notice an air of anxiety, generated from the overwhelming prospect of additional tasks in our already busy lives.

I get it. I’ve been there too. It was a time not too long ago when I would work hard to control my already hectic schedule, and face the daunting task of perfecting the activities to meet my high standard. There was little room for negotiation, no energy for variation, and as such, limited space for personal growth.

I was a perfectionist.

Since spending time on myself, and looking at ways I could be better, I noticed that perfectionism – rather than being an advantageous trait as I previously thought – was hampering my ability to become better.

To be perfect is to arrive at the final destination. There is no value in perfect, as there is no room for improvement. Improvement requires knowledge, knowledge requires learning, to learn is to grow, growing is living……

I would spend hours cleaning my car every week to ensure a perfect clean.

Meals were prepared according to recipes to ensure quality.

University studies were completed with many iterations and hours of formatting.

My gym routine remained unchanged until I reached the magic goal I had dreamed.

Perfectionism was carving a rut in my road to self improvement.

Over time, I developed an awareness of my ways, and worked on ways to become better. Here’s what I found out…..

How to overcome perfectionism and love your imperfections

Step 1. Recognise the habit

Perfectionism is a well ingrained habit, that’s all.

Maybe I was born with high standards, maybe I learnt from my parents, maybe it was my surroundings. In the end, it’s a way of being I adopted which suited my lifestyle at the time. Perfectionism is a habit which provided security and gave me purpose. That’s no longer the case.

The good news is, habits can be changed.

It takes approximately 30 days of continual practice to build new habits, which seems a long time. Don’t dwell on this. Time passes quickly. Focus on incremental improvements each and every day. Track your progress on a calendar if necessary, so you can see your improvement.

Stop, smell the roses, and recognise the habit of perfectionism as it arises.

Step 2. Breathe

Before doing anything else, just breathe.

Take time to stop and just be in the moment. Giving yourself space before going any further will only elevate your ability to decide and take action.

Step 3. Remind yourself there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’

It’s very easy to turn to others or consult a resource to determine if your future actions are ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. Truth is, that’s why we do it.

Labelling as ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ is easy.

The greater truth lies in looking beyond these labels. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ in life, only what makes you feel good, and not.

This will be heavily dependent on your values and beliefs of course, which is exactly why the decision or action you are about to undertake is an experience unique to you.

Remind yourself that you’re aiming for an outcome that works for you, not what society has labelled as ‘right’.

Step 4. Ask yourself if the effort is worth the reward

Before coming to a final decision, it’s valuable to consider your options in light of their effectiveness.

You can easily do ineffective tasks productively (check email, social media posting, watching television etc.), so be wary of decisions that lead to quick feelings of productivity. Instead, ask if the effort of the undertaking is paving way for a reward of equal or greater value. 

Align what you do with what you want to achieve.

Make it easier by choosing the path of least resistance to arrive more effectively.

Step 5. Commit to completion

Once you’ve figured out what to do, just get on with it!

Stop second-guessing your motives and speculating failure. Take your ideas and run with them in either of these two directions:

  1. Toward completion – finishing the task and moving forward to new challenges; or
  2. Straight for the eject button – if the idea doesn’t work or doesn’t make you feel good, just drop it. Stop wasting time dwelling on low-value tasks in favour of those that have a greater potential for your growth.

Remember, there is immense value in practicing the art of giving up. If an idea doesn’t work while you are attempting it, or is likely to cause disruption to your progress, commit to dropping it and move on. There’s progress to be made elsewhere.

Step 6. Congratulate yourself

You made it!

You’ve done the hard work, so now it’s time to positively reinforce yourself for breaking through perfectionism and getting important stuff done.

Reflect, socialise, exercise – whatever takes your fancy. Just be sure to devote time for recognition of the hard-fought battle against your perfectionist ways. You’ll get motivated to do even better next time.

When the going gets tough and you find you’re at a stand-still, embrace imperfections! Not everything needs to meet a high standard. In many cases, it’s more important to get things done and move on – learning, growing, and progressing toward your goals. If you’re stuck, you now have 6 simple steps to help you out:

  • Step 1. Recognise the habit
  • Step 2. Breathe
  • Step 3. Remind yourself there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’
  • Step 4. Ask is the effort worth the reward
  • Step 5. Commit to completion
  • Step 6. Congratulate yourself.

Go forth and conquer!

Have you ever struggled with perfectionism? How have you overcome it? Please share in the comments below 🙂

Thanks for reading my work.

Like it? Please share with your friends on social media. The more people I can inspire, the happier I’ll be.

Until next time…..

Yours in inspiration,

Jason

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3 key diet changes to become more energetic, grounded, and mindful

In my previous post on mindful habits, I highlighted the changes I made to my daily practice in order to gain clarity, effectiveness, and mindfulness in my day.

What I neglected to mention is that not all change has come from habits alone.

Diet has been an extremely important component to my state of mind, state of health, and wellness of being. In fact, I maintain that it’s the most important part. All life force comes of energy, and (the majority of) ours is obtained through the fluids and foods we consume.

Using this nutritional awareness I obtained a couple of years ago through research and self-experiment, I’ve determined 3 key nutritional components to reduce and (almost) eliminate from my diet that have led to exponential increases in clarity, energy, positivity, and a decrease in depression and anxious tendencies. If you are having problems with focus, stress, anxiety, depression, and energy levels, I encourage you to read further and try my suggestions for yourself.

I’ve found great personal value in reducing the following, I hope you do too.

1. Caffeine from coffee

The world as it stands, revolves around the consumption of coffee.

As I write this post, from the balcony of my hotel in Bali, I watch other guests and the staff all consume coffee. It seems to be a daily ritual for most of the developed world. A way to fight the fatigue of daily life and ‘push through’ mental blocks, increasing productivity.

I’ve found completely the opposite to be true.

Below are two main reasons I advocate ‘kicking coffee’, despite how yummy it is.

Coffee blocks nutritional intake

There is much research that has been published on the topic, and a quick google search will highlight this, so I won’t delve into facts.

I’ve done enough research (and experimented enough) to be of the understanding that caffeine blocks receptors in my intestines and hampers the ability to absorb nutrients during digestion.

During my time of depression and general unhappiness, I was consuming 3 cups of coffee a day. I noted I would regularly be ‘run down’, have mild cases of the flu, and be mentally fatigued very quickly during the morning, even after restful sleep.

I’m confident that my body was starved of nutrient because of the caffeine.

Coffee messed with my head

This I know for sure.

I’m so glad I awoke to the effects of coffee on mental health, as since reducing coffee to once a week, I can feel the effects ever more. For example, I accidentally ordered a large flat white at a cafe, and my brain was a mess for the rest of the day. I couldn’t focus, had trouble with conversation, and was jittery and anxious. It wasn’t a fun feeling.

I’m confident it affects many others in a similar way. You may not realise it however, because you are constantly consuming coffee and have not experienced a ‘cleansed’ state without it in your blood.

When I first cleansed myself of caffeine from coffee, it took 10 days for the completion of the detox. Since then (over 12 months now), I rarely consume moe than 1 coffee a week, and have not looked back. I turn to green teas (high in antioxidants and contain a different strand of caffeine at lower doses) for a pleasant daily drink, and consume plenty of quality filtered water throughout the day. It’s far more refreshing and nutritious for my body.

2. Dairy products

The most widely consumed product in western society – milk (and subsidiary products) – is now beginning to be proven an unhealthy addition to our diets. Research is suggesting that humans are not designed to consume milk products past infancy.

Research aside, when I made the hard decision to remove dairy from my every day diet, I noticed a huge difference in my health.

Yoghurt was my vice. I would consume about 1.5kg of yoghurt per week, and splurge on a milkshake or two for a protein hit after a workout. After the decision to remove it, I noticed that I would no longer feel bloated, my digestion ‘felt’ better, and I was much clearer of mind.

I have not eliminated milk products altogether, as I see important benefits in occasional consumption to ensure I don’t develop an intolerance.

I don’t miss dairy, even the yoghurt (which was my favourite food!). The benefits of going without are definitely worth it.

3. Animal meat

Animal lovers and vegetarian advocates will love me for this one.

It’s true, I feel many time healthier when I don’t eat meat. My diet still contains large amounts of fish, and small portions of meat approximately 2 times a week, but the rest I fill with wholesome, plant based alternatives.

Stomach heaviness, constipation, lethargy, and sleep troubles, are all symptoms I developed when consuming meat daily.

Reducing meat alleviates strain on my body, and I’m doing my bit for the planet too. Animal farming is highly resource intensive, so less consumption means less production, and less burden on our stressed environment.

Am I getting enough nutrients and vitamins? Sure I am. What’s in meat can be found in vegetable products (B12 vitamins, protein, iron) which I ensure are an addition to my diet.

It’s true that there is immense improvement that can be made to your health and wellbeing through the way you think and behave, and I find equal benefit in addressing what you consume as your daily nutritional intake. Since reducing these 3 food types I’ve discussed:

  1. Coffee
  2. Dairy; and
  3. Meat

I’ve noticed significant improvement to the quality of my health, and the purity of my mindset.

If you’re experiencing a ‘slump’, lethargy, anxiety, or a general lack of wellness, I encourage you to try reducing your daily consumption of one (or all) of the above to see if there’s any benefit for you.

It’s all about making choices that work for you. You’ve got nothing to lose, so why not give it a shot!

 

Are there any foods you’ve eliminated from your diet that have had a profound impact on your life? Are there any particular food habits you have that work for you? Let me know via the comments below, I’d be very interested to hear from you!

Disclaimer – I am not a medical professional and do not write this piece on the basis of prescribing medical advice. I simply write about my own experiences, which maybe you can relate. Should you be experiencing strong cases of depression, anxiety, or any other, I recommend you seek professional medical advice from a certified practitioner.

Thanks for reading my work.

Like it? Please share with your friends on social media. The more people I can inspire, the happier I’ll be.

Until next time…..

Yours in inspiration,

Jason

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8 energising and mindful habits I (try) practicing every morning

The alarm sounds on your smart phone. It’s an unwelcome start to the day, so you make it better by ‘rewarding’ with a Facebook update, email check, and a quick re-tweet or two.

It typically ends like this:

A friend posted photos of their holiday – you wish you were there.

You read about world destruction and animal cruelty – you’re angry and upset.

A good friend has messaged you to relieve themselves of their previous days’ worries – you’re already emotionally drained.

Your day is now interrupted, and even more energy is required to correct its course.

Since becoming aware of my ‘bad’ habits, I have found activities such as this – immediately turning to ‘info tech’ first thing in the morning for example – are a self-destructive interruption to my awakening, and lead to a less than productive day.

The morning is an important time for my mind to awaken to consciousness and start building thoughts, ideas and objectives for the day. I want these thoughts to be as positive and motivating as possible in order to provide me with ‘forward’ momentum for the day, not ‘backward’.

Therefore, I have made some conscious changes to my morning ritual (and daily habits) that have transformed my life – helping to generate clarity, energy, and inner peace. So much so, I wanted to share them with you.

I’m not perfect, and although I have practiced all 8 of the following habits, I have rarely comleted them all in a day, every day. My aim is to do so, and for now I attempt to trial them, adjust as necessary, and adopt them (and my lifestyle) to suit my needs.

It’s all about give and take, and finding what works best for you.

Enjoy!

1. Mindful awakening

A good friend introduced me to this concept not too long ago. It’s been a great addition to my morning, as I find the process of active awareness very helpful to gain clarity and focus in the mind.

It is best described as follows.

Instead of bolting upright and charging into your day upon awakening (either natural or by alarm), take stock and breathe, becoming slowly mindful of your consciousness, your state, your position in bed, whom you are with, and how good it feels just to lie in silence.

Practice for as long as you need. I do this for 3-5 minutes before rising.

NOTE: If you are prone to falling asleep after an alarm sounds, it may be a good idea to use the ‘snooze’ function to be sure you don’t accidentally sleep in!

2. Hydration

This is the most important step for your daily health and wellbeing.

The body consists of almost 80% water, and during your sleep phase is the time your organs choose to repair, re-energize, and refuel your body. In thee process, excreting toxins and waste.

In order to flush these toxins away and rehydrate, it’s important that you consume adequate clean water BEFORE you ingest any further material. I aim to consume at least a litre of water within 30 minutes of rising, and this frequently turns into 1.5 litres. The more the better.

Incorporating this habit also aids in reducing your hunger level, and subsequently the amount of food you consume in the morning – a great tip for those looking to lose weight.

3. Meditation

Meditation is a far-reaching topic in which I am certainly no expert. I have only just begun exploring the true value of this practice in clearing my mind and improving my self-control ability.

I was introduced to the concept of an ‘8-minute meditation‘ by a book recommendation from a friend. Essentially, you begin practicing meditation for an easy-to-digest 8 minute session per day, using a stopwatch to measure. I find a defined duration extremely useful in providing a ‘goal’ for the meditation session in the early days of meditation practice. As time progresses, you can choose to extend it if comfortable.

I find meditation helps to ‘centre’ my thoughts, which is extremely useful to have upon wakening. It’s easy to get caught up in the ‘should do’s’ and the string of positive (and negative) thought patterns of the past, present and future. Meditation is a way to practice the art of recognising these thoughts and controlling them so that they don’t control you.

4. Positive affirmations

The subconscious mind responds to what it is regularly told, so it’s important to start the day telling it good things!

Affirmations can be phrases, quotations or just inspirational sentences that give you a ‘pat on the back’ feeling. They will be unique to our taste and what areas of life you feel the need for a boost, so take the time to make a list of 5 affirmations you can recite 5-10 times each.

A great list of affirmations to get you started can be found here.

Find a comfortable, seated position (I find on the edge of my bed a great spot), put the affirmations where you can easily read them (I have mine posted on the wall beside my bed), and let the good vibes flow.

5. Visualizations

The subconscious mind doesn’t only respond to words.

Images are a useful way to manifest what you are aiming to achieve. I’m sure if you’re actively practicing personal development (like me), you’ll be aware of the ‘vision board’ concept, and using it to visualise future objectives, manifesting them to realisation via the law of attraction. The vision board is a useful prompt for your visualisation time. It’s also a way to repeatedly visualise objectives, which is necessary in order to cement them into your subconscious.

Fill your board with graphical representations of your objectives (material wealth, relationship desires, lifestyle design etc.) and place it in a suitable position (like on the wall next to your bed) where you can easily refer to it every morning. Take about 5 minutes to look at each image, close your eyes, and imagine living the objective it represents as if it were real.

You can find out how to make your own vision board using this helpful resource.

6. Movement

There’s nothing more energizing than blood pumping through your arteries, so start the day with exercise.

It doesn’t need to be heavy. It could be as simple as some yoga or light stretching, or you could choose a run or weight lifting session.

It’s totally up to you what you choose, just get those limbs moving and focus on deep, wholesome breathing to re-energize your blood with oxygen.

7. Nourishment

Your body consists of energy.

We are constantly creating and using energy through chemical processes in our body. As such, we need adequate fuel.

This will be another unique factor that you’ll need to play around with. I’ve experimented with different diets over the years and have decided the following works best for me:

  1. A large glass of Vital Greens, Pea Protein and filtered water within 30 minutes of waking (normally before meditation)
  2. A wholesome, mostly plant-based breakfast with no sugars or grains (avocado, eggs, spinach, beans, mixed vegetables, sweet potato, wholesome oils and seeds)
  3. A cup of green tea (differs depending on mood) and/or warm lemon water to digest.

Filling my morning with alkaline greens and protein gives me fuel, gives my muscles repairing nourishment, and leaves me feeling energised and fuller for longer.

8. Tackle creative tasks first

What’s the number 1 killer of effective work?

Mundane, repetitive, ‘tick and flick’ tasks.

Checking email, tweeting updates, social media surfing, ordering food online for your cat….. you know what I mean.

These are ‘feel good’ tasks. – tasks that make you feel like you’re being productive, when in reality you’re weaving all over the place without addressing the important stuff (like writing wonderful blog posts 🙂 ).

Drop all the little bits and pieces and hit the ‘hard’ stuff – the tasks which see you kicking goals towards your passion – first. You’ll have a greater focus, stronger mental capacity (without the constant stop-start or various tasks), and increased effectiveness of your workload.

If you’re finding there ‘aren’t enough hours in the day’ or ‘I never seem to make any progress’, I recommend you stop, look at your day, and see which of the following 8 mindful habits you can implement in order to find your mojo:

  1. Mindful awakening
  2. Hydration
  3. Meditation
  4. Affirmations
  5. Visualizations
  6. Movement
  7. Nourishment
  8. Starting with creative tasks.

I’ll point out that these habits are provided as a guideline.

I’m sure there are many more useful practices that could be used to give your day a boost (e.g. now in a flourishing relationship, I regularly add intimacy with my partner since we awaken at similar times. This intimate connection with another fills my ‘love tank’ and gives me energy and vitality). Feel free to add, subtract, or modify their order as you please.

You are unique, so what works will be up to you to determine through experiments.

These 8 habits have helped me substantially, and I hope you can work towards a more mindful, effective day for yourself, now that you have an awareness of them too.

 

Are there any habits that you find help kickstart your day in a positive way? What tricks do you use to be effective at your work? I’d love to hear about them. Please leave a comment below!

Thanks for reading my work.

Like it? Please share with your friends on social media. The more people I can inspire, the happier I’ll be.

Until next time…..

Yours in inspiration,

Jason

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The paradox of choice – What to do when you’re overwhelmed with options

In researching this concept, I discovered that I am not alone in my bewilderment! I encourage you to explore the above video to learn another perspective of the topic I will discuss in my own words below….

As I took a short walk this morning from my lovely homestay in Ubud, Bali, to a local market to fetch groceries for breakfast, I became mindful of a difficulty I’d been having since my arrival to the wonderful country.

I’d arrived to the market with a clear idea of what I was looking for – ingredients to make a healthy Indonesian-style omelette, and discovered that the ingredients I required (eggs, onion, eggplant, leafy greens) were available from almost all of the 10+ market sellers.

Where to go? Who to choose? Was product better here or there?

It was then that it hit me. I was overwhelmed by the abundances of produce, the variety of stalls, and the effort of choice.

We all crave it, we all want it, we all need it.

The good news is, there’s plenty of it out there. You only need to look in a grocery aisle and discover the number of alternative brands offering the same product to realise this. The question is, how do you avoid becoming overwhelmed? How do you decide what to choose when faced with so many options?

How can you overcome the paradox of choice?

This post will raise awareness on the power of choice in life, and provide you with 5 key concepts I use to tackle the paradox head on.

Say goodbye to blank stares in the supermarket isles.

Why we need choice

The ability to choose is a disrespected luxury that we in the western world have.Have a think about it. How often have you not been provided with a choice in the goods or services you’re searching for (Not counting the lack of available resources i.e money as limitations)?

Not very often I’ll bet.

So there’s definitely an abundance of choice in our lives, but why?

Perception of freedom.

I’ll give you a personal example of what I mean.

Here in Bali, as with all tourist destinations, there is an abundance of activities to immerse yourself in. Bicycle tours, trekking volcanic mountains, you name it. I’m an adventurous type of guy, so naturally I want to give some of these a shot. Walking through the streets, I have seen so many tour operators offering the exact same service.

Exactly the same!

Having this choice is extremely time consuming and emotionally draining (as I’ll discuss soon), but I like it.

Why?

I can shop around. I can compare deals. I can get a better price for the trip I want.

More options gives me freedom.

Without options to allow a choice, I’m hypothesising that I’d have felt trapped, cornered, and like I was getting ‘done over’ by the locals who (understandably) all want to make a dollar. Moreover, I’d be far less likely to do anything at all, as the lack of choice would raise my scepticism of their authenticity and genuineness.

So why did I need choice?

Choice provided me with reassurance of authenticity and authority in claims, and with the perception of freedom.

Choice was (and is) a necessary factor in my ability to reach a decision and move forward.

In limited amounts…

Too much choice means…

Headaches!

There are some great articles on the topic out there (including this one), highlighting the problem with an abundance of choice.

We don’t know what to do with it.

Yes, choice is necessary to come to decisions, and too much choice can have the opposite effect.

An abundance of options gives us no limitations, no scope, and leaves us with blurred criteria we would normally have enforced with limited options to come to a decision.

Too much choice is confusing, time consuming, and mentally overwhelming.

Arriving at a mental stand-still, suffering from what I term “paralysis through analysis”, will find you at the same point on the opposite end of the spectrum.

You’ll struggle to make a decision n times when choice is abundant.

It’s all a balancing act, so how to tip the scales in you favour?

Overwhelmed by choice? Try this.

1. Know your criteria

Criteria are what we can use as a map through the maze of choice.

Going shopping? Make a list (and stick to it).

Booking a tour? Know how much you are willing to pay and what you expect from the experience (Note: some research will be required).

Having criteria will act as a reminder of the true objective of your acquisition.

No successful project was ever completed without a well defined scope. Let your criteria be yours.

2. Practice limiting your options

Just because there are abundant options out there, doesn’t mean there needs to be.

Use your criteria from above to assist you in eliminating options that you know are not suitable. This process of elimination will not only reduce choice, it will either confirm or get you to question if the decision is indeed what you are looking for in the first place.

3. Stick to what works

There is sanity to be found in repetition.

Found a toothpaste that rocks your world? Keep getting it, even if it’s an extra 20 cents.

Having trouble choosing a new smartphone but have a friend that’s recently purchased one and is extremely happy? Use their experience and try their recommendation.

If you have a history with a successful option, or trust someone else that has, there is liberation to be had in utilizing it.

Make life easier for yourself by finding something that works, and sticking to it.

4. Follow your gut feeling

This is an important ability that I believe deserves mention.

Think back to times when you’ve had to make important decisions, what they were, and the outcomes that ensued.

Did you have a feeling it would be that way?

I get this quite a bit.

As such, I find myself using my instincts and ‘gut feeling’ more and more.

You’re smarter than you think. Try looking past the logic and grab hold of your instinct. You may be surprised at your abilities.

5. Do nothing

Sometimes it’s best to step away and do nothing.

It’s possible that the reason you’re there, isn’t reason enough. Use the experience, take stock, and revisit the points above to create clarity.

There are many battles that can be fought, it’s a matter of choosing the right ones for you.

The concept of the choice paradox is not a new one. There are many whom have theorised and philosophised in opposition, advocating a simple life (Epicurus, Buddha and Gandhi to name a few) to free the mind and soul for more pleasant activities.

I’ve only touched on it here with my recent experiences in my travels, and there are meny more instances that I could cover that reinforce the undeniable fact that too much choice makes life difficult.

Luckily I’ve devised 5 useful tips to help you on your journey to overcome your abundance of choice.

Try practicing the following when next you’re faced with a complex or overwhelming decision:

  • Creating criteria
  • Reducing the number of options
  • Sticking with what you (or trusted others) know
  • Follow your gut; and
  • Doing nothing.

I’m sure that these simple processes with have you break through that mental barrier, and leave your conscious free for bigger and better things!

Have you come across mental roadblocks caused by choice? Is there a time when you’ve become overwhelmed / frustrated / upset with abundance and an inability to act? Please leave a comment! I’d love to hear from your experiences, and you never know how you can be a help to others.

Thanks for reading my work.

Like it? Please share with your friends on social media. The more people I can inspire, the happier I’ll be.

Until next time…..

Yours in inspiration,

Jason

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References

Tim Ferriss – The Choice Minimal Lifestyle

Barry Schwartz – The Paradox of Choice

The Sydney Morning Herald (article) – No Freedom in Too Much Choice