Now is the time to THRIVE!

It may seem cliche but the end of the year really is a good time to reflect.

Reflect on the past year, what went wrong, what went right. Make a list, reflect on what you enjoyed the most and what were your favorite moments. We challenge you to make it a goal to do more of what you enjoyed and loved in 2017 and make plans now on your calendar to do it in 2018. It seems simple, but it really can be life-changing when you write down your plans and goals.

If you are looking for help and guidance in 2018, we encourage you to contact us, whether for a class, or coaching we are here to help you THRIVE. 

Jeff Taylor of THRIVE Celebrates World Kindness Day!

How do you give back to those around you and the world? Jeff Taylor celebrates World Kindness Day with his awesome friend, Mark, and they go on a little adventure giving back to those who give so much! 

5 Things to Give Up to Raise Your Vibration INSTANTLY

Meet Aaron Doughty, a dedicated individual helping people transform their lives through self-awareness and personal-empowerment teaching awareness, philosophy, spirituality, psychology, science and more. Aaron is a fantastic teacher and above shares 5 simple ways to transform your life and raise your vibration. 

Looking to transform your business and life and want to host a class for your associates? Contact us for a complimentary consultation. 

It is the Small Gestures that make a BIG Difference

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, you may be wondering, what can I do? You may have a lot of financial resources or not much at all. Elizabeth Gilbert posted this, and I found it so true - "Don't worry so much about having the biggest impact that you forget to have an impact at all. And this doesn't just go for times of disaster, either. Arguing about efficacy is a great way to forever stall generosity. Just make a move in the direction of mercy — that's always a good start."

This philosophy is not only important to remember in the wake of a disaster, but every single day. A complete stranger could be having a terrible day, and you could simply hold the door open for them, or let their vehicle in front of yours. A small gesture such as this could completely change the course of their day, which in turn, could change their life. I personally like to surprise people with small treats, such as in the photo above. It is amazing how such a small gesture of kindness can bring a HUGE smile to someone's face.

Do whatever you can to make a difference, there is no gift too small to the world. 

Replace "I'm sorry" with Gratitude

Here at THRIVE, we are all about mindset shifts. As the video above explains, neuroplasticity is the process of rewiring the pathways through our brains. Understanding how this works is important, because our thoughts create the reality around us. Additionally, our brains are very adaptive, meaning the thoughts we think most often strengthen certain pathways, whereas the thought we do not have often weaken and eventually dissipate. 

Watch the short video below for a simply yet effective way to not only change the pathways in your brain, but your relationships with others as well.

What is your "Why?"

This week, we encourage you to find your "Why," Meaning, what is your intention behind all of your actions?

From our simple daily tasks to the extraordinary things we do for others, why do you feel compelled to do the things that you do?

Many times, we walk through the world on autopilot. We do not think of our intentions behind our actions. From the foods we consume to the way we speak to those closest to us, each decision is an important one. It is crucial to work on being mindful and present so we can be more conscious of our "Why" throughout the day. 

It is especially important to be intentional about our acts of giving. In our times, acts of kindness can be used almost as a marketing technique for ourselves. From individuals to large organizations, outreach is seen as a component of business and lifestyle. As the image above portrays, acts of kindness should be done from your heart, not with the expectation of anything in return. Your "Why" is just as powerful, if not more powerful, than your actions themselves. 

Stoicism an Operation for Thriving in High Stress Environments.

Tim Ferriss has suffered through over 50 bipolar episodes in his lifetime. Through facing his struggles, he has a helpful formula for us all.

Tim encourages us to face our struggles head-on through a process that has helped him. By defining, preventing and repairing our issues, we can go on to lead healthy lives. This isn't about perfection, it is about reality. Taking a look at our deepest inner challenges can lead us to the most growth.

It is not the simple choices that lead to spectacular lives, but the challenging questions that only we can answer.

You Won't Remember the "Stuff." You'll Remember the Experiences.

It is a dream of the THRIVE team to go on the Oprah Cruise and we have it on our bucket list. What is on your bucket list? Do you have one? If you don't it is time to start one! There is even an app for that, BucketListly, is one of many!

While you may be tempted to put down a new house, high end car and many objects you would love to own on your bucket list, we encourage you to take it a step further.

What experiences would you like to enjoy during your lifetime? Is it hiking the Grand Canyon? A grand trip backpacking across Europe? Or camping cross country with your family? If you live in a hot climate, is it as simple as seeing a snowfall? Experiences don't have to be grand and they are never out of reach. They don't have to all be travel related, just write down what experiences would be incredibly meaningful to you. Seeing your child's first steps can be more rewarding than any object you could ever possess. 

Your memories are what you will hold onto long into your later years, we encourage you to make them incredible! What is on your partner or parents or loved ones bucket list? How can you make the experiences they desire a reality? 

Replacing Social Media Time with Meaningful Activities

Do you know how much time you spend on social media? According to Evan Assano, "Astonishingly, the average person will spend nearly two hours (approximately 116 minutes) on social media everyday, which translates to a total of 5 years and 4 months spent over a lifetime." 

To check how much time you are spending on social media, you could use these apps or if you own an iPhone, you can go into the  “Settings” app in iOS, then choose “Battery.” There you will see exactly how much time you are spending in which apps.

Now that you are aware of the astonishing amount of time you are spending on social media. Here are some more productive uses of your time:

1. Meditate. Apps such as Headspace, Calm, and Insight Timer make starting meditation easy, and even makes reminders for you on your phone. 

2. Go outside. Get some Vitamin D form the sun! An estimated 1 billion people are deficient in it. 

3. Exercise. the benefits of physical activity are endless. Get moving! 

4. Start a gratitude journal. The 5 minute journal app also makes starting and ending each day with gratitude incredibly simple.

What are some of your favorite ways to replace social media time with meaningful activities? 

The Importance of Serving Others

On this Memorial Day, we cannot think of a more meaningful topic than serving others. This Holiday in and of itself is an example of the ultimate sacrifice, ones own life in the name of service. On this day, we not only recall our loved ones who gave up their lives for us in the name of freedom, but all those who have served our country and their families who also have gone through so much to provide all of us with the gift of independence. 

Not all of us are called to such service, but all of us can make a difference. Not only can we be the change we wish to see in the world, it is actually healthy for us to do so. Recent studies suggest not only is volunteering and giving back actually healthy for us, it also can help us live longer. 

If you are unsure of where to start, but have a desire to volunteer more, first look inward. What are your strengths? What sparks joy in your heart? Are you a talented musician? Perhaps teach music, or play for the elderly. Does cooking making you feel at peace and calm? Maybe sign up to cook for a local soup kitchen. Are you a talented hairstylist? Think about cutting hair for the homeless, or needy. Bring your talents to those who need them most.

Our efforts do not need to be dramatic in order to be meaningful. A simple gesture of kindness can change someones life.