Hello,
We have recently launched our new website www.defeatthegrind.com which provides a free weekly self help and health ezine. Please visit our website to check it out.
Take 10 minutes of your time every week to read Defeat the Grind, and achieve a more successful, healthier and happier you! We guarantee it!
Defeat the Grind provides success orientated people with free weekly self help information on topics which include: goal setting, time management, improving your physical health, nutrition and parenting.
The ezine is written and contributed by experts in their field, many of whom have had their work extensively published. Defeat the Grind also occasionally has guest contributors such as politicians and sports people, who provide us with their views on self-help topics.
Cheers
Andrew Collings
Andrew Collings is the founder of www.defeatthegrind.com and has over 10 years experience in self help, health and parenting. Andrew has a Degree and Masters in social science and has also completed post graduate management studies. During the day, Andrew works as a principal in a consulting firm, and has had numerous pieces of planning work published. He is married with three children, and currently resides in Melbourne, Australia. As a hobby he is a juggler and magician.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The power of Affirmations and how they relate to your finances
Affirmations:
Affirmations are power statements that you can say to yourself over and over leading your sub-conscious to believe they are true, thus eventually making them true in real life. Affirmations must be stated in the present tense as this is the only way that our subconscious can consider them. Relevant affirmations could be as follows:
1. "I am debt free".
2. "I don’t use credit cards"
3. "I only eat out twice a week"
How long does it take for an affirmation to work – the question is similar to how long is a piece of string. It could take 500 times it could take 2000 times. But the important thing to remember, 2000 times isn’t that much as long as the goal is worth it. From step 5 above, you should have ascertained that the goal is worth it!
Affirmations can be both positive and negative. How many times have you said this won’t work and it hasn’t? Affirmations also work in the animal kingdom as well. Circus Lions are lead to believe that the light whip that the tamer carries will hurt them – they have been brought up with this through their childhood and carry the fear in there later life. In Thailand, elephants are lead on a piece of string that they believe they cannot break. This is because in their childhood they are trained with heavy chains that cannot break.
Are you using positive or negative affirmations in your life or when talking to your children? Below are two of my favourite examples, both actual scientific experiments (the second one would be easier to try at home than the first!!!)
Negative Affirmation Example :
Start with a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hang a banana on a string and place a set of stairs under it. Before long, a monkey will go to the stairs and start to climb towards the banana. As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of the other monkeys with cold water.
After a while, another monkey makes an attempt with the same result all the other monkeys are sprayed with cold water. Pretty soon, when another monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try to prevent it.
Now, put away the cold water. Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new one. The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs. To his surprise and horror, all of the other monkeys attack him. After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be assaulted.
Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a new one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm! Likewise, replace a third original monkey with a new one, then a fourth, then the fifth. Every time the newest monkey takes to the stairs, he is attacked.
Most of the monkeys that are beating him have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs or why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey.
After replacing all the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys have ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no monkey ever again approaches the stairs to try for the banana. Why not? Because as far as they know that's the way it's always been done around here – a very negative affirmation as the end result could be starvation as no monkeys will go near the banana.
Positive Affirmation Example
This is an experiment you can do at home, you need one chair and six people. To start have one person sit on a chair, choose four people to life the person on the chair and one to instruct.
Get the four people to stand around the person in the chair ready to lift. The four people should clasp their hands together with their first fingers from both their hands sticking out together. Two people will life the person up on the underams, the other two will life from under the knees. On the count of three have the four people simultaneously try and life the person – chances are that they won’t or they will struggle.
Now the teacher plays there part. Putting a hand down on each of the persons head (finishing with the person in the chair) they say ‘heavy as lead’. Once this is done they place a hand on everybody’s head taking it off saying ‘light as a feather’ again finishing on the person siting down. The four people are then instructed to life with a surprising result – the person in the chair is lifted quite easily into the air.
Affirmations are power statements that you can say to yourself over and over leading your sub-conscious to believe they are true, thus eventually making them true in real life. Affirmations must be stated in the present tense as this is the only way that our subconscious can consider them. Relevant affirmations could be as follows:
1. "I am debt free".
2. "I don’t use credit cards"
3. "I only eat out twice a week"
How long does it take for an affirmation to work – the question is similar to how long is a piece of string. It could take 500 times it could take 2000 times. But the important thing to remember, 2000 times isn’t that much as long as the goal is worth it. From step 5 above, you should have ascertained that the goal is worth it!
Affirmations can be both positive and negative. How many times have you said this won’t work and it hasn’t? Affirmations also work in the animal kingdom as well. Circus Lions are lead to believe that the light whip that the tamer carries will hurt them – they have been brought up with this through their childhood and carry the fear in there later life. In Thailand, elephants are lead on a piece of string that they believe they cannot break. This is because in their childhood they are trained with heavy chains that cannot break.
Are you using positive or negative affirmations in your life or when talking to your children? Below are two of my favourite examples, both actual scientific experiments (the second one would be easier to try at home than the first!!!)
Negative Affirmation Example :
Start with a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hang a banana on a string and place a set of stairs under it. Before long, a monkey will go to the stairs and start to climb towards the banana. As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of the other monkeys with cold water.
After a while, another monkey makes an attempt with the same result all the other monkeys are sprayed with cold water. Pretty soon, when another monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try to prevent it.
Now, put away the cold water. Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new one. The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs. To his surprise and horror, all of the other monkeys attack him. After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be assaulted.
Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a new one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm! Likewise, replace a third original monkey with a new one, then a fourth, then the fifth. Every time the newest monkey takes to the stairs, he is attacked.
Most of the monkeys that are beating him have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs or why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey.
After replacing all the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys have ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no monkey ever again approaches the stairs to try for the banana. Why not? Because as far as they know that's the way it's always been done around here – a very negative affirmation as the end result could be starvation as no monkeys will go near the banana.
Positive Affirmation Example
This is an experiment you can do at home, you need one chair and six people. To start have one person sit on a chair, choose four people to life the person on the chair and one to instruct.
Get the four people to stand around the person in the chair ready to lift. The four people should clasp their hands together with their first fingers from both their hands sticking out together. Two people will life the person up on the underams, the other two will life from under the knees. On the count of three have the four people simultaneously try and life the person – chances are that they won’t or they will struggle.
Now the teacher plays there part. Putting a hand down on each of the persons head (finishing with the person in the chair) they say ‘heavy as lead’. Once this is done they place a hand on everybody’s head taking it off saying ‘light as a feather’ again finishing on the person siting down. The four people are then instructed to life with a surprising result – the person in the chair is lifted quite easily into the air.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Home loan interest rates
Today, we want to talk about home loan interest rates.
For the majority of people, home loans are going to be over a 30 year period. While most people try and pay it off earlier - this is definately a good investment - the reality is it's still going to be a long term project.
What is scary, is that people often borrow to their maximum based on a low interest rate at the start of the loan. While their income may increase over time, this is still a dangerous move.
The reality is: As some time in the next 30 years, interest rates will hit double digets!!! Looking at historical data, this is the sad truth.
However, if you are prepared for this, borrow less than your maximum and make payments based on a double figure interest rate, you will be better off, and will not notice a change when things go up.
This is such a simple fact, but it can save people from losing their houses or going bankrupt.
Cheers
Andrew Collings
For the majority of people, home loans are going to be over a 30 year period. While most people try and pay it off earlier - this is definately a good investment - the reality is it's still going to be a long term project.
What is scary, is that people often borrow to their maximum based on a low interest rate at the start of the loan. While their income may increase over time, this is still a dangerous move.
The reality is: As some time in the next 30 years, interest rates will hit double digets!!! Looking at historical data, this is the sad truth.
However, if you are prepared for this, borrow less than your maximum and make payments based on a double figure interest rate, you will be better off, and will not notice a change when things go up.
This is such a simple fact, but it can save people from losing their houses or going bankrupt.
Cheers
Andrew Collings
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Step 5 to eliminate debt
Step 5: Write down if achieving the goal is worthwhile
Step 5 is a tricky one and must be answered honestly. It only requires a one word answer – yes or no. If it is yes – THEN WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!! If it is no you have the following three options:
1. Review the goal and consider changing in reference to the obstacles you have found;
2. Consider the benefits and see if there are any more benefits to be had, or if you can change the goal to provide more benefits.
3. Drop the goal and consider new goals – but don’t feel bad.
The last point is particularly interesting one as many people waste their lives by feeling guilty about either what they have done or what they haven’t achieved. To always be thinking like this is a sad waste of a life. Remember that life is a journey and not a destination – as such, the only time you really fail is when you give up on life. If you find new goals and keep trying you haven’t failed.
Step 5 is a tricky one and must be answered honestly. It only requires a one word answer – yes or no. If it is yes – THEN WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!! If it is no you have the following three options:
1. Review the goal and consider changing in reference to the obstacles you have found;
2. Consider the benefits and see if there are any more benefits to be had, or if you can change the goal to provide more benefits.
3. Drop the goal and consider new goals – but don’t feel bad.
The last point is particularly interesting one as many people waste their lives by feeling guilty about either what they have done or what they haven’t achieved. To always be thinking like this is a sad waste of a life. Remember that life is a journey and not a destination – as such, the only time you really fail is when you give up on life. If you find new goals and keep trying you haven’t failed.
Step 4 to elimiante debt
Step 4: Make a list of benefits to you personally and to close friends and family
A goal is a lot easier to achieve, and a habit to change, if you know all the benefits for doing it. The benefits need to be specific, they can’t just be ‘it will improve my life’. You need to work at what all the specific benefits are and list them. For example, I will have more time with family, I will have more money to invest in shares rather than paying debts and the like.
For Step 4, make a list of all of the benefits you can think of for you and your family. Once these benefits are on paper, put it in a place that you will see everyday. Some people I know chose to make a small photocopy of the list and put it in their wallets to remind them of their goal.
Remember you must think of the benefits to you first. It is human nature to go along with other people’s ideas and goals, but to truly achieve your own goals they must be relevant to you.
A goal is a lot easier to achieve, and a habit to change, if you know all the benefits for doing it. The benefits need to be specific, they can’t just be ‘it will improve my life’. You need to work at what all the specific benefits are and list them. For example, I will have more time with family, I will have more money to invest in shares rather than paying debts and the like.
For Step 4, make a list of all of the benefits you can think of for you and your family. Once these benefits are on paper, put it in a place that you will see everyday. Some people I know chose to make a small photocopy of the list and put it in their wallets to remind them of their goal.
Remember you must think of the benefits to you first. It is human nature to go along with other people’s ideas and goals, but to truly achieve your own goals they must be relevant to you.
Step 3 to eliminate debt
Step 3 Write down how you will overcome these obstacles.
The key to successfully overcoming obstacles is to see them coming before they happen. A good analogy is the film ‘dodgeball’ – you either look at the balls and try and get out of the way ‘dodge’ or use a ball (in this case your written list of potential obstacles) and deflect them away.
For step 3, you are required to have a list of all potential obstacles (undertaken in step 2) and write how you will overcome them. It may be having an emergency fund, or alternative plans of how you will get to work if your car breaks down. The ways to overcome these obstacles will be very specific to you and your family and your current circumstances – so whatever you do, don’t ask other for advice, everyone seems an expert on your life:). It is you who can best decide what will work effectively for you.
For step 3: Write down how you will overcome all of the obstacles that you can think of for achieving your goals.
The key to successfully overcoming obstacles is to see them coming before they happen. A good analogy is the film ‘dodgeball’ – you either look at the balls and try and get out of the way ‘dodge’ or use a ball (in this case your written list of potential obstacles) and deflect them away.
For step 3, you are required to have a list of all potential obstacles (undertaken in step 2) and write how you will overcome them. It may be having an emergency fund, or alternative plans of how you will get to work if your car breaks down. The ways to overcome these obstacles will be very specific to you and your family and your current circumstances – so whatever you do, don’t ask other for advice, everyone seems an expert on your life:). It is you who can best decide what will work effectively for you.
For step 3: Write down how you will overcome all of the obstacles that you can think of for achieving your goals.
Step 2 to eliminate debt
Step 2: Write down the obstacles you are likely to face.
Obstacles come in many shapes and forms – this is particularly true for debt reduction. Car Bills and Doctors Bills are two of the most common – I remember when I was on the path to debt reduction we had several Doctors bills came right out of the blue. One movement my six week old son was happy and healthy, the next he was been rushed to hospital to have surgery – even with health insurance the total bills for the entire time he was sick were in the thousands.
Obstacles can also be inadequacies – ie what your weaknesses are. The best way to work out why you haven’t reached your goal is to ascertain what has stopped you. Once you know what is stopping you, you can work on ways to overcome these issues!
For Step 2 – you need to write down all the obstacles that you can think of that could stop you from reaching your goal.
Obstacles come in many shapes and forms – this is particularly true for debt reduction. Car Bills and Doctors Bills are two of the most common – I remember when I was on the path to debt reduction we had several Doctors bills came right out of the blue. One movement my six week old son was happy and healthy, the next he was been rushed to hospital to have surgery – even with health insurance the total bills for the entire time he was sick were in the thousands.
Obstacles can also be inadequacies – ie what your weaknesses are. The best way to work out why you haven’t reached your goal is to ascertain what has stopped you. Once you know what is stopping you, you can work on ways to overcome these issues!
For Step 2 – you need to write down all the obstacles that you can think of that could stop you from reaching your goal.
Step 1 to getting out of debt
Step 1: Write down specifically what you are trying to achieve and by when.
This is a critical step for many reasons. When you write something down it tricks the brain into thinking that you have already achieved the goal. This is a major sub-conscious physiologically boost as it takes out some of the fears we have about failing. In addition to this, there is something conceptual and driving by putting a specific timeframe to a goal. As I am sure you know from work, when you have a deadline you work to meet it! The timeframe needs to be specific, and be broken down into achievable components. Although it is specific, it should be to some degree a living document. If you don’t meet one time period move it slightly so that you do meet it – Above all, don’t give up if you don’t specifically meet all of your goals – You are still progressing down the path of reducing debt.
If you undertake the above step, you are already one step up on most people who are trying to reduce debt or more holistically achieve any goal. We will now look at step 2 – obstacles.
This is a critical step for many reasons. When you write something down it tricks the brain into thinking that you have already achieved the goal. This is a major sub-conscious physiologically boost as it takes out some of the fears we have about failing. In addition to this, there is something conceptual and driving by putting a specific timeframe to a goal. As I am sure you know from work, when you have a deadline you work to meet it! The timeframe needs to be specific, and be broken down into achievable components. Although it is specific, it should be to some degree a living document. If you don’t meet one time period move it slightly so that you do meet it – Above all, don’t give up if you don’t specifically meet all of your goals – You are still progressing down the path of reducing debt.
If you undertake the above step, you are already one step up on most people who are trying to reduce debt or more holistically achieve any goal. We will now look at step 2 – obstacles.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Five steps to debt reduction
Over the next five days we are going to explain the five steps to debt reduction. The overview of the steps is detailed below.
1. Write down specifically what you are trying to achieve and by when.
2. Write down the obstacles you are likely to face.
3. Write down a suitable plan to overcome each obstacle.
4. Make a list of the benefits to you personally and to close friends and family.
5. Write down if achieving the goal is worthwhile
The five steps are quite simple and easy to follow. The text below details each step in more detail. Remember, it is these five steps that will help you stick to your goal of reducing your debt!!! Skimming over these and going straight to the ‘debt eliminator’ section may make reducing debt harder to achieve!!!
Bigger Blogger
1. Write down specifically what you are trying to achieve and by when.
2. Write down the obstacles you are likely to face.
3. Write down a suitable plan to overcome each obstacle.
4. Make a list of the benefits to you personally and to close friends and family.
5. Write down if achieving the goal is worthwhile
The five steps are quite simple and easy to follow. The text below details each step in more detail. Remember, it is these five steps that will help you stick to your goal of reducing your debt!!! Skimming over these and going straight to the ‘debt eliminator’ section may make reducing debt harder to achieve!!!
Bigger Blogger
Friday, January 11, 2008
The right type of Credit Card
There are so many credit cards on the market today. Low interest, interest free periods, benefit programs; just to name a few.
All this aside, the major component you need to know is what is the annual interest rate after any honeymoon periods, and can I afford the repayments at the maximum level.
Interest free can help, if you are able to pay everything off in a certain time period, however, often the interest free cards have a higher interest rate that other standards cards.
The most important factor is to get a card that you can afford.
All this aside, the major component you need to know is what is the annual interest rate after any honeymoon periods, and can I afford the repayments at the maximum level.
Interest free can help, if you are able to pay everything off in a certain time period, however, often the interest free cards have a higher interest rate that other standards cards.
The most important factor is to get a card that you can afford.
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