The Motivation Movement | Inspirational Quotes, Daily Advice, Lifestyle Design, Personal Development

Today’s quote is attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle.  Quote: “First, have a definite, clear practical ideal; a goal, an objective. Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends; wisdom, money, materials, and methods. Third, adjust all your means to that end." – Aristotle Analysis: This quote by Aristotle is often interpreted as a call to action to set clear goals and objectives, and then to develop and use the necessary resources and skills to achieve those goals. The quote suggests that it is important to first have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, and then to gather the resources and knowledge you need to make it happen. Finally, the quote suggests that you should adjust and adapt your strategies and methods to ensure that they are aligned with your ultimate goal. In this way, the quote encourages us to be purposeful and deliberate in our actions, and to use our resources and abilities to achieve our goals. If you don't have the resources you need to reach your goals, it can be discouraging and challenging. However, it's important to remember that many people have overcome obstacles and lack of resources to achieve their goals. Here are a few things you can do if you don't have the resources you need to reach your goals: Identify alternative ways to achieve your goals. Is there another way you can reach your goal, even if you don't have all the resources you need? For example, if you want to go to college but can't afford it, there may be scholarship or financial aid options available. Look for opportunities to acquire the resources you need. Is there a way you can earn or acquire the resources you need to reach your goal? For example, if you need money to start a business, you could consider taking on a part-time job or starting a side hustle to save up the money you need. Seek out support and assistance from others. Sometimes, other people can provide the resources and support you need to achieve your goals. Talk to friends, family, or professionals who may be able to offer guidance, advice, or other forms of support. By being creative and resourceful, and by seeking out support and assistance from others, you can find ways to overcome the lack of resources and achieve your goals. Determination is the quality of being firmly resolved to do something, and it helps us to stay focused and committed to achieving our goals, even when faced with obstacles or setbacks. Perseverance, on the other hand, is the quality of continuing to do something despite difficulties or setbacks. It helps us to keep pushing forward, even when things are tough, and to never give up on our dreams. Together, determination and perseverance help us to stay focused and motivated on the path to achieving our goals. They give us the strength and resilience we need to overcome challenges and obstacles, and to keep moving forward, even when the road is difficult. By cultivating these qualities, we can develop the mental and emotional strength we need to achieve our goals and live a more fulfilling and successful life.

Today’s quote is attributed to Ben Okri, a Nigerian-British poet and novelist. Quote: “The fact of storytelling hints at a fundamental human unease, hints at human imperfection. Where there is perfection there is no story to tell.” – Ben Okri Overall, this quote suggests that storytelling is an essential part of the human experience, and is a way for us to explore and understand the imperfections and challenges of our lives. By telling stories, we can express our fears, doubts, and anxieties, and find meaning and purpose in the imperfections and difficulties that are inherent in being human.  Storytelling is an essential part of the human experience for a number of reasons. Some of the ways in which storytelling is important to the human experience include: Storytelling allows us to express our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Through storytelling, we can communicate our ideas, emotions, and experiences to others, and share them with the world. Storytelling helps us to make sense of the world around us. By listening to and telling stories, we can learn about different cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and gain a deeper understanding of the world we live in. Storytelling allows us to connect with others. By sharing stories with each other, we can build connections and relationships with other people, and form a sense of community and belonging. Storytelling helps us to preserve our history and heritage. By telling stories, we can preserve the memories, experiences, and traditions of our ancestors, and pass them down to future generations. Overall, storytelling is an essential part of the human experience because it allows us to express ourselves, make sense of the world, connect with others, and preserve our history and heritage. By telling and listening to stories, we can learn about ourselves, our communities, and the world we live in. The concept of the human condition is an ancient one, and has been explored by philosophers, theologians, and other thinkers throughout history. The first written references to the human condition can be found in ancient texts, such as the Bible, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Tao Te Ching. These texts discuss the challenges and struggles that are inherent in being human, and explore the ways in which people can find meaning and purpose in their lives. Overall, the concept of the human condition has been explored by many different thinkers throughout history, and continues to be a topic of interest and debate among philosophers, theologians, and other thinkers today.

Quote: Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results. – Andrew Carnegie Analysis: This quote by Andrew Carnegie is often interpreted as a celebration of the power of teamwork. Carnegie suggests that teamwork is a key factor in achieving success, because it allows people to work together towards a common goal. He also highlights the importance of aligning individual efforts with the goals of the organization, and suggests that teamwork can help people to achieve results that would not be possible alone. The quote suggests that teamwork is an essential quality for any group or organization that wants to achieve success. By working together, people can combine their talents, skills, and experiences to achieve results that are greater than the sum of their individual efforts. This is what Carnegie means when he says that teamwork is the "fuel" that allows common people to achieve uncommon results. In other words, by working together, people can achieve things that would be impossible for them to accomplish on their own. Fostering teamwork can be challenging for a number of reasons. Some of the challenges that organizations may face when trying to foster teamwork include: Lack of trust and communication: In some cases, team members may not trust each other, or may have difficulty communicating and collaborating with each other. This can make it difficult for the team to work together effectively. Different personalities and work styles: Teams are made up of individuals with different personalities, backgrounds, and work styles. This can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings, which can make it difficult for the team to work together. Lack of shared goals and objectives: If team members don't have a clear understanding of the team's goals and objectives, they may not be motivated to work together towards a common goal. This can make it difficult for the team to achieve its objectives. Misalignment of individual and team goals: In some cases, team members may have different goals and priorities than the team as a whole. This can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings, and can make it difficult for the team to work together effectively. Lack of support and resources: If team members don't have the support and resources they need to do their jobs effectively, it can be difficult for them to work together and achieve their goals. A team defines success in different ways, depending on the team's goals, objectives, and priorities. For some teams, success may be measured in terms of the team's ability to achieve specific goals or objectives, such as completing a project on time or within budget. For other teams, success may be measured in terms of the team's performance, such as the number of sales they make or the number of customer service issues they resolve. It's important to note that success is not always measured in terms of tangible results or outcomes. For some teams, success may be measured in terms of the team's ability to work together effectively, to foster collaboration and communication, or to create a positive team culture. In these cases, success may be more difficult to measure, but it is no less important for the team's overall success.

Quote: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou Analysis: It suggests that people are more likely to remember how they felt in a particular situation rather than the specific words or actions of someone. This is because emotions are often more powerful and long-lasting than other forms of information. In other words, the way someone makes another person feel can have a lasting impact on them, even if they forget the details of the situation. This highlights the importance of being aware of how our actions and words may affect others. Here are a SIX ways you can leave a great impression on people: Be punctual: Show up on time for meetings, appointments, and social events. Being punctual demonstrates respect for other people's time and shows that you are reliable and dependable. Be present and engaged: When you are with someone, give them your full attention. Avoid distractions like checking your phone or multitasking, and actively listen to what they have to say. Be kind and respectful: Treat others with compassion and respect, regardless of your differences. Being kind and respectful helps build trust and positive relationships. Be a good communicator: Clearly and effectively communicate your thoughts and ideas. Use active listening skills and ask questions to show that you are interested in the conversation. Be proactive and take initiative: Look for ways to contribute and be of service to others. Show that you are willing to take on new challenges and go above and beyond what is expected of you. Maintain a positive attitude: Stay positive and optimistic, even in the face of challenges. A positive attitude can be contagious and can help build positive relationships with others. It is important to be aware of how our actions and words may affect others because our behavior and communication can have a significant impact on the people around us. Our behavior and words can either positively or negatively affect the emotions, thoughts, and actions of those we interact with.  Being aware of this can help us to be more considerate and empathetic in our interactions with others, which can improve our relationships and create a more positive and harmonious environment. Additionally, understanding the potential impact of our actions and words can also help us to avoid causing harm or offense to others. To be more considerate and empathetic, there are a few things you can try. Firstly, try to put yourself in other people's shoes and see things from their perspective. This can help you to understand their emotions and needs better and respond in a more understanding and compassionate way. Secondly, try to be more attentive to the nonverbal cues of others, such as their body language and tone of voice. This can help you to pick up on their emotional state and respond accordingly. Thirdly, try to be more active in listening to others and truly hearing what they have to say, rather than just waiting for your turn to speak. This can help to foster a sense of connection and understanding between you and the other person. Finally, try to be more mindful of your own actions and words and how they may affect others. This can help you to avoid causing harm or offense and to be more thoughtful in your interactions with others.

Quote: If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint,” then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced. –Vincent Van Gogh Analysis: This quote is often interpreted as a call to action to pursue your passions and interests, even if there is a voice inside you that tells you that you cannot do something. Van Gogh is saying that if you have a desire to paint, for example, you should not let that inner voice discourage you and instead should focus on your passion and give it your all. By doing this, the voice will eventually be silenced, and you will be able to create and achieve what you want. The quote suggests that we should not be held back by our doubts and fears, but instead should push ourselves to pursue our dreams and talents. Embracing your inner voice can be a powerful way to connect with your own thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Here are a few ways you can do this: Take some time to be alone and quiet. This can be a great opportunity to tune out distractions and focus on your inner thoughts and feelings. Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and focusing on your thoughts, feelings, and sensations. This can help you tune in to your inner voice and listen to what it has to say. Consider journaling or keeping a diary. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be a great way to process them and understand your inner voice better. Seek support and guidance from others. Talk to friends, family, or a therapist about your inner voice and what it is telling you. They may be able to offer insights and support that can help you embrace your inner voice. Reflect on your values and beliefs. Spend some time thinking about what is important to you and what you believe in. This can help you understand your inner voice and what it is trying to tell you. Developing your core values is an important step in defining who you are and what you stand for. Here are a few steps you can take to develop your own core values: Take some time to reflect on your beliefs and experiences. Think about the things that are most important to you, and what you want to stand for in your life. Consider the people and experiences that have had the biggest impact on you. What values did they embody, and how have those values influenced you? Write down a list of potential core values. This could include words or phrases that describe the qualities and characteristics you want to embody. Reflect on your list and narrow it down to your top values. Consider which values are most important to you and align with your beliefs and experiences. Take action to live your values. Once you have identified your core values, it's important to make a conscious effort to live by them in your daily life. This can help you stay true to yourself and live a more fulfilling and authentic life. Core values are important because they serve as guiding principles for our lives. They help us make decisions, set goals, and determine what is most important to us. By having a clear set of values, we can make choices that are consistent with our beliefs and goals, and avoid actions that go against what we believe in. Core values also help us to be more authentic and genuine in our interactions with others, which can build stronger relationships and improve our overall well-being. In short, having strong, well-defined core values can help us live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

Quote: "New Year's Day. A fresh start. A new chapter in life waiting to be written. New questions to be asked, embraced, and loved. Answers to be discovered and then lived in this transformative year of delight and self-discovery." - Sarah Ban Breathnach Analysis: This quote says that New Year's Day represents a fresh start and a new opportunity to write the next chapter in your life. It is a time to ask new questions, embrace new experiences, and seek out answers that will help you grow and transform. The new year is a time of possibility and potential, and it is up to you to take advantage of it and make the most of it. The new year is an important time for many people because it represents a fresh start and a new opportunity to make positive changes in their lives. It is a time to reflect on the past year and set goals for the year ahead. Many people use the new year as a chance to make resolutions and commitments to improve themselves and their lives in some way. For some, this might mean losing weight, exercising more, or finding a new job. For others, it might mean working on personal relationships, learning a new skill, or traveling to a new place. Here are TEN simple questions you might consider asking yourself as you welcome in the new year: What am I most proud of from the past year? What challenges did I face, and how did I overcome them? What are my values, and how did they guide my decisions in the past year? What are my top priorities for the new year, and how can I focus on achieving them? What new skills or knowledge do I want to gain in the new year? How can I prioritize self-care and well-being in the new year? How can I make a positive impact on others in the new year? What small steps can I take to make big progress on my goals? How can I be more present and mindful in my daily life? What can I let go of from the past year to make room for growth in the new year? Now, here’s the actionable advice to help think through these questions and strategize for a successful 2023. Set goals and make a plan. Identify areas of your life where you want to improve, and create specific and achievable goals for how you will do that. Then, make a plan for how you will work towards achieving those goals. This will help you stay focused and motivated, and it will give you a sense of direction and purpose. For example, instead of resolving to "lose weight," set a specific goal to "lose 10 pounds by March 1st by exercising 3 times a week and eating a balanced diet." This will make it easier to track your progress and stay motivated. Take care of yourself. Being a better version of yourself also means taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, and finding time to relax and de-stress. These things will help you feel more energized, focused, and resilient as you work towards your goals. Learn and grow. Being a better version of yourself means being open to learning and growing. Seek out new experiences, take on new challenges, and try new things. This will help you expand your horizons and learn more about yourself and the world around you. Be kind and compassionate. Being a better version of yourself means being kind and compassionate towards yourself and others. Treat yourself and others with respect, empathy, and understanding. This will help you build strong and meaningful relationships, and it will make you feel more connected and fulfilled. Stay positive and focused. The new year can be an exciting and challenging time, and it is important to stay positive and focused on your goals. Surround yourself with supportive people, and remind yourself of the reasons why you are working towards becoming a better version of yourself. This will help you stay motivated and on track, even when things get tough.

A widespread conundrum that can negatively impacts the self-esteem level of people of all shapes and sizes is taking SHIT too personally, wearing your heart on your sleeve.  Someone looks at you the wrong way. Someone had an attitude with you. Someone rudely bumped into you at the grocery store. Why the fuck is everyone out to get me this week?  When people disrespect you or treat you poorly, t’s easy to take their actions and/or words personally, especially when you’re already in a rut to begin with. The benefit of not taking shit so personally is that you remain in control of your emotions, reaction, and energy. The SHIT we’re talking about here is other people’s emotions, reactions, and energy! The SHIT you have absolutely no control over. Unconsciously, we usually automatically assume that what someone else says or does was targeted at us specifically. It’s not uncommon to take SHIT out of context here and there. Taking SHIT personally is emotionally draining, and needless, counter-productive, constant reassessment of your self-worth and confidence. There's a difference between being introspective and continually taking snubs personally, one is beneficial and lends itself to personal growth, the other is the opposite. Quote: “When someone is cruel, harsh, mean, to not take their words personally is one thing, but to hear the silent cry within those words is another. This sort of perspective can not only liberate us from crippling self-doubt in the face of criticism, it can also liberate us from automatically becoming blind participants in the interaction patterns that the cruel person has become accustomed to—a favour we do for the other person as much as for ourselves.” ― Vironika Tugaleva It’s probably time you realize that EVERYTHING isn’t about YOU. You are not the center of the universe, even if Mommy told you otherwise . . . It’s very easy to convince yourself that criticism you receive are receiving is a personal attack. But it may simply be that you were dealing with the wrong person, at the wrong time, in the wrong place.  Here are a few ways to stop taking things personally! Don't Jump To Conclusions. Let Things Go. Stop Worrying So Much About What Other People Think of You. Recognize the “Spotlight Effect”. Stop Giving Your Power Away.  Learn to block out the bullshit and channel the good shit. Lions don’t lose sleep over the opinions of sheep! https://mruddo.com IZmOjmVtFGYDeMVbGN4y

Social media is addictive. We’ve all read articles, studies and blog posts about the harmful effects of overindulging on social media.  Researchers and experts in the industry have compared mobile phones to gambling VIA slot machines. "It's a popular addiction right now, one of the still socially acceptable ones," says Laurie Gerber, an expert life coach of the Handel Group.  It can be fun but also maddening. It can make you feel less alone, but also trigger feelings of loneliness and incompetence. If you’re spending a lot of time on social media, it can be hard to imagine a daily routine without it.  Taking a break from social media is a fantastic way to reconnect with the people and activities that truly uplift and motivate you. Use the time you’d otherwise be wasting on social media to read, write, work-out, and spend time with loved ones. You’ll get more work done, faster.  Quote: “When it comes to social media, there are just times I turn off the world, you know. There are just sometimes you have to give yourself space to be quiet, which means you’ve got to set those phones down.” – Michelle Obama I can understand why it may sound daunting or even unnecessary to do a cleanse for those of us who spend a lot of time on these platforms. However, I strongly encourage you to give it a go. Here are SIX SIMPLE STEPS to a SUCCESSFUL SOCIAL MEDIA DETOX. 1) TRACK YOUR HABITS: Try keeping a detailed record of your social media habits for one week, as is. Don’t do ANYTHING differently from what you’d typically do, to establish a baseline or control. Then, quit for one week and note how you feel while being detached from it.  2) Develop a schedule to cut back slowly but surely on your social media use. 3) Detox with a buddy: Having someone to hold you accountable can make all the difference. 4) Put a rubber band around your phone. Catherine Price, author of How to Break up With Your Phone and founder of Screen/Life Balance stated: “When you reach for your phone, there is now a physical obstacle that snaps you out of autopilot for a second and encourages you to reflect on what you’re doing.” 5) Make those around you aware of your SOCIAL MEDIA DETOX plans.  6) Redesign your lock screen. What for? Why now? What else? If you’ve gone through a social media cleanse and have experienced great benefits from it, please share your thoughts with me on social!  https://mruddo.com Visit TakeCareOf.com and Enter Code MRUDDO50 for 50% OFF!

Have you ever felt like the whole world was conspiring against you?! Your job sucks. Your bank account is dwindling. Your spilled coffee all over your favorite shirt. Your friends don’t invite you out anymore. You probably feel used, abused, rejected, and depressed. Maybe you even feel like you deserve to suffer. Peace, success, and happiness seem so, so, so FAR AWAY. To tie a bow on this trail of misery, you’re a perpetual victim. Victimhood is an inescapable reality for you. But what if you didn’t have to feel like this anymore? What if you could put an end to the suffering? Could you imagine how your connections, profession and wellbeing would FLOURISH?! Being victimized can come in all shapes and forms. You could have your trust betrayed by someone near and dear to you, you could be a victim of a horrible crime, you could be a victim of your own mindset.  We all have people like this in our lives, or maybe it’s you that operates under this pessimistic belief system; always bitching about how they were harmed by the system, or by someone else. As if they have NO WILL-POWER and others are rejecting them what they need, want, and deserve. Everyone is out to get them. They were fucked from the jump.  “To complain is always nonacceptance of what is. It invariably carries an unconscious negative charge. When you complain, you make yourself into a victim. When you speak out, you are in your power. So change the situation by taking action or by speaking out if necessary or possible; leave the situation or accept it. All else is madness."— Eckhart Tolle There are PLENTY OF THINGS you can do when you choose to be a VICTOR, not a VICTIM. 1. Identify and Confront Limiting Beliefs: If our beliefs, our internal dialogue, are disenfranchising and mostly negative, it will NO DOUBT produce feelings of helplessness and vulnerability. You must first discover the source of your victimhood. 2. Practice Gratitude: There’s no time to be a victim when you’re busy practicing gratitude. The strongest willed people I know are the ones who are grateful for even the hard times, because they understand that through experience, they gain wisdom and perspective.  3. Shift YOUR Mentality from Victim to Survivor: Shitty things happen to the best of us. They say God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers. Tough times make tough people. There’s a million fucking sayings, you get the point.  BEAUTIFUL FUCKING THINGS HAPPEN WHEN YOU TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE.  https://Audible.com/mruddo https://mruddo.com

Have you ever heard the origin story of the Nobel Peace Prize?! Alfred Nobel paradoxically was the visionary behind the Nobel Peace Prize, which has been awarded 962 times since 1901.  While Nobel’s award fund would ultimately become famous, there’s no refuting that he was an unlikely source for a peace prize. His family name was “associated not with the arts of peace but with the arts of war.”  What encouraged the “dynamite king” to donate his fortune to charity? Many believe it was inspired by a case of mistaken identity. In 1888, Nobel’s brother Ludvig had died in France from a heart attack. Credited to poor reporting, at least one French newspaper believed that it was Alfred who had perished, and it proceeded to write a blistering obituary that branded him a “merchant of death” who had grown rich by forming new ways to “mutilate and kill.”  The mistake was later remedied, but not before Alfred had the horrible experience of reading his own death notification. According to biographer Kenne Fant, Nobel “became so obsessed with his posthumous reputation that he rewrote his last will, bequeathing most of his fortune to a cause upon which no future obituary writer would be able to cast aspersions.” Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you. – Shannon Alder  Nobel lives on through his legacy and receiving a shocking reminder of the inevitability of his death helped him to get there. His story also illustrates how avoiding a negative legacy can be more motivating than simply wanting to build a positive one. To create a powerful legacy with your life, you need to decide what contribution you want to make to the world. I suggest spending some time journaling and reflecting on the following questions: What does it mean to you to create your living legacy?  What contribution do you want to make to the world? If you knew with certainty that you only had ten more years to live, how would you spend those years, and why? What message do you want to send with your life to the world and to those who matter most to you? Imagine that you are attending your own funeral. What would you want your family and friends to say about you and how you lived your life? Knowing what’s important, what drives you, and how you want to be remembered creates tremendous clarity in how you should live your life— and how you’ll eventually impact others. https://Audible.com/mruddo https://mruddo.com

If you suddenly passed away today, would someone come looking for you?! Would anyone wonder where you disappeared to? Would your dog eat you? How long would it take for someone to come knocking down your door to find you? One can only hope it’s ASAP. It’s a strange thought, but one we’ve all confronted in the past in one form or another, usually at our lowest low point.  For one woman, this scary thought experiment was a grim, unfortunate reality. On January 25, 2006, members of a housing association in northern London were heading out to repossess an apartment that hadn’t paid it’s rent for a LONG TIME. They made their way into the living quarters and found a horrifying scene before them—a bunch of unopened Christmas presents on the floor, a stack of unopened mail by the door, a television set to the BBC network…and a skeleton lying on the couch. Quote: “The loneliest moment in someone’s life is when they are watching their whole world fall apart, and all they can do is stare blankly.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald Could you imagine how Joyce Carol Vincent felt in her final moments?! Her world collapsing around her with no one and nowhere to seemingly turn to. Loneliness is a WIDESPREAD, global crisis. Sociologists have found that nearly 15% of Americans will die alone, and that figure will continue to increase over the coming years. In various surveys in both the United States and Europe, anywhere from 30% to 60% of the populace reports feeling lonely and/or says that they have little to NO meaningful in-person interactions.  Re-imagining and re-purposing YOUR spare time is ESSENTIAL. When we feel lonely, sometimes we just want to retreat into a corner and escape from the world. Choosing to stay in solitude night after night with our phones, watching TikTok dances, or playing 8-Ball Pool w/ Viktor from Bulgaria can really get us stuck in a dangerous pattern of loneliness.  -Join an Interest Based Local/Community Group/Club -Volunteer Remotely or in REAL LIFE -Nurture Existing Relationships -Engage in Positive Internal Dialogue Feeling lonely is temporary – it’s not a permanent state, unless you allow it to be. productive manner. Have you ever experienced loneliness? I would love to hear your tips for coping with loneliness that you found successful. https://Audible.com/mruddo https://mruddo.com

Whether you are the central decision maker at your business, the Head Nurse on the frontlines of the healthcare system, the team captain of your college basketball team, or the CARETAKER of your FAMILY unit . . . YOU NEED to stay healthy and functioning optimally 100%, 100% of the time. Your network, your universe, your PEOPLE, NEED you to be on top of your game, in tip top condition as it relates to your health, and more specifically, your immune system. The idea of enhancing your immunity is terribly exciting, but the capability to do so has proved mysterious for several reasons. There is still much that researchers don't know about the intricacies and interconnectedness of the immune response.  Researchers who are WAY SMARTER THAN ME are studying the effects of diet, exercise, age, psychological stress, and other factors on immune response.  Quote: Nature is a numbers game. We need all the support we can get as our immune systems and health are under assault from pollution, stress, contaminated food and age-related diseases as our lifespans increase. – Paul Stamets My first bit of advice is to ESCAPE, RELAX, DE-STRESS! Experiencing consistently high levels of stress, AKA chronic stress that’s frequent and long lasting, is detrimental to your overall health. The second gem I’d like to talk about is getting your groove on, AKA a bit of boom-boom or freaky time, whatever weird, awkward euphemism you’d like to use. The third dose of information I want to touch on is DIET. I encourage you to EAT THE RAINBOW, like my friend Xandra who’s a Fitness/Nutrition Guru always says!  NUMBER FOUR is to pare back on the booze, partner! Trust me, I love an OLDE FASHIONED, COLD IPA and/or Shot of Reposado w/ a Twist more than most, but alcohol isn’t doing your immune system ANY FAVORS.  Number FIVE is super important, and I don’t mean to sound like your Mom, but DRINK MORE WATER. A fluid in your circulatory system called lymph, which carries important infection-fighting immune cells around your body, is largely made up of water. Finally, NUMBER 6, last but not least, is engage in moderate exercise. You don’t have to become a body builder or Olympic athlete, 30 minutes per day should do the trick.  With the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, it’s especially important to understand that no supplement, diet, or other lifestyle modification other than physical distancing, also known as social distancing, and proper hygiene practices can protect you from COVID-19.  https://mruddo.com For 50% off your first Care/of order, go to TakeCareOf.com and enter code MRUDDO50.

You are YOUR own worst enemy. How many times have ya heard that one over the years?!? In the process of manifesting the life you truly desire; we very often can’t get out of our own way. Whether we want to find love, lose weight, or complete a creative project, we can very easily find ways to self-sabotage. Self-sabotage involves characteristics and/or emotions that keep you away from what you desire most in life. It’s that inner sentiment eating away at us, saying “you can’t do this.”  At some point, we all experience self-doubt, even successful business owners, professional athletes, uber famous celebrities, etc. A bit of self-doubt is not only expected, but also healthy. It’s a part of human nature. But highly successful people don't let self-doubt derail them from what they set out to accomplish.  You may be wondering, “What is the origin of such self-sabotaging behavior?!” “What the fuck is making me have all of these doubtful thoughts?!” It arises when your conscious and subconscious mind are stuck at a crossroads.  Quote: Addiction, self-sabotage, procrastination, laziness, rage, chronic fatigue, and depression are all ways that we withhold our full participation in the program of life we are offered. When the conscious mind cannot find a reason to say no, the unconscious says no in its own way. - Charles Eisenstein In this episode of The Motivation Movement, we'll unpack exactly why you might engage in self-sabotaging behavior and I'll offer you FOUR strategies to help you overcome this habit. By moving into a more consistently positive frame of mind, you can stop self-sabotage and begin to manifest the fulfilling life you desire and deserve.  #1) Connect w/ YOURSELF to Build Self-Awareness: Self-awareness is extremely powerful and will help you to develop a better understanding of what triggers your feelings of self-doubt and tendency to self-sabotage.  #2) Fake it Until You Make It: As impossible as it may seem on those days where you’re seemingly overcome with self-doubt and negative emotions, just give it a dam shot, TAKE ACTION.  #3) Stop Asking for Validation & Permission: Asking others for help is helpful, sometimes necessary, but don’t let the opinions of others slow you down, because opinions are like assholes, everybody’s got one!  #4) Discover Your Strengths: You’re more likely to kick thoughts of self-doubt and self-sabotage if you’re in your comfort zone.  https://mruddo.com For 50% off your first Care/of order, go to TakeCareOf.com and enter code MRUDDO50.

The idea of the four temperaments traces back to an Ancient Greek notion that there were four underlying, essential bodily humors (blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm) which could cause disease and infection if they were out of balance. The terms sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and phlegmatic were invented by the Greek physician Aelius Galenus to define the effect of these humors on human behavior. This idea is perhaps one of the oldest that concepts that begins to develop a medical theory on personality.  This theory is still popular today, widely used in the fields of management, psychology, and leadership. Being cognizant of these temperaments and understanding how they operate can assist with social interactions and communications. Analyzing these dynamics can help us become more self-aware and assess how teams function together, for example.  To determine which temperament type I leaned towards most, I took the OSSP Four Temperaments Scale TEST on OpenPsychometrics.org, which is a free and open-source measure designed to match the taker to one of the four temperaments.  After answering 24 question, you receive a “score” from 1-24 on each of the four temperament types. My score for Choleric was 6, Melancholic was 5, Sanguine was 19 and Phlegmatic was 12.  Quote: I think we judge talent wrong. What do we see as talent? I think I have made the same mistake myself. We judge talent by people's ability to strike a cricket ball. The sweetness, the timing. That's the only thing we see as talent. Things like determination, courage, discipline, temperament, these are also talent. – Rahul Dravid As discussed in Episode #077 of The Motivation Movement, it’s no easy task to completely shift our temperament from negative to positive, but we can take action to make progress towards a more desired state of mind and life in general. When asking ourselves “how can I control my temperament?”, understanding your natural disposition is crucial. So, let’s dive into the FOUR different types of TEMPERAMENT . . . Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholic and Phlegmatic! The SANGUINE personality type is described mainly as being highly talkative, enthusiastic, active, and social. Choleric individuals tend to be more extroverted. They are described as independent, decisive, goal-oriented, and ambitious.  Melancholic individuals tend to be analytical and detail-oriented, and they are deep thinkers and feelers. They are introverted and try to avoid being singled out in a crowd.  The Phlegmatic temperament is fundamentally relaxed and quiet, ranging from warmly attentive to lazily sluggish. Phlegmatic are referred to as “the watcher” — they are best in positions of unity and mediation, and solid in positions that desire steadiness.  https://mruddo.com

We’ve all been there at one time or another: stuck in limbo. The unknown is a frightening place to be, and can leave you feeling powerless, defeated, and helpless.  How do we develop the life skills to navigate through the unknown? How do we maintain control in a completely undefined environment? Do these unusual conditions which possibly lie ahead occupy your headspace often? Our brain has a negativity bias which is tricky to manage, coping with unanticipated events is difficult enough without our brain compounding and amplifying the worst possible imaginable scenario. The equivalent of Google searching what a pain in your left-hand pinky could mean and assuming you have a fatal, terminal disease based off a WebMD generalization.  Quote: “I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment, and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.” – Gilda Radner Delicious ambiguity . . . PERFECT! Life is about the journey, not the destination. You’ve heard it a million times. We struggle to understand WHY certain events take place in our live, till weeks, months or years later it all seems so clear.  Uncertainty is not “bad” in itself; it’s our tolerance of the unknown that defines our reaction and the ensuing impact on our life. The best way to deal with ambiguity is to build up your tolerance. Here are FOUR ways to accomplish this. 1. Change Your Expectation to PLANS! 2. Boost Your EMOTIONAL Intelligence 3. Become MORE Flexible and Adaptable 4. Preemptively Practice Meditation and Mindfulness Learning to live with uncertainty is one of the great challenges of life. By no means is this a simple challenge, but it’s essential to conquer in order to living a fulfilled, stress free life.  Welcome novelty and thrill which go hand and hand with uncertainty by asserting your belief to move through it with ease. The key takeaway is to reveal yourself to the unknown, the random uncertainty of life, by building up a tolerance to it.  Life is chock-full of uncertainty; we’ve just got to learn to live with it. Take advantage of the unknown. Plan for the unknown. Embrace the unknown. https://mruddo.com

Why does time feel like it moves so much faster as you age? Maybe, when you’re young, the novelty of everything you experience being so new and fresh is what grounds us to the present, the here and now. Every day is an adventure. Every day we learn something new. When you grow and turn into an old fart, everything seemingly becomes less exciting. Repetition sets in. Everyday feels the same. You went from life in the fast lane, high speeds, to slow and steady cruise control. It’s not the worst thing in the world, but the truth is, you’re living life on autopilot. Living life on autopilot becomes dangerous when we go with the motion too much, with no resistance at all. It’s almost as if we lose consciousness of our experience being so wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. One day you snap out of it and realize: “HOLY SHIT, time is moving really fast and I’ve been doing the same damn thing every fucking day for the past 8 months. I haven’t paid attention to my health, my spirit, my mind, my needs and my dream.”  We’ve been conditioned to think less and do more. Quote: Very often, human beings are living like on autopilot, reacting automatically with what happens. What interests me about the life of an explorer is you are in the unknown; you are out of your habits. – Bertrand Piccard When we live on autopilot, it feels like someone else is driving, not us.  Signs You’re Living Life on Autopilot: - Does every day seem like a blur to you?! - Are you always busy and on-the-go?! - Do you mindlessly scroll through social media? - Are you dreading the monotony of every day life?! How to STOP Living Life on Autopilot: - Slow the F*CK down, relax and reflect. - Bring meaning and intention to every day activities. - Get out of your comfort zone! - Challenge yourself, push it to the limit. https://mruddo.com

I’m a huge Tupac junkie. I own all six movies Pac starred in on DVD. If there was a Tupac lyric recital competition, I’d 1000% win. I’ve been listening to Tupac since I was a pre-teen for Pete’s Sake. Tupac was without a doubt the most polarizing figure in rap and hip-hop ever. Raised by a Black Panther, he had REVOLUTIONARY in his blood! Pac was an inspiration to many, and way ahead of his time. Quincy Jones said it best: “The tragedy of Tupac is that his untimely passing is representative of too many young black men in this country . . . If we had lost Oprah Winfrey at 25, we would have lost a relatively unknown, local market TV anchorwoman. If we had lost Malcolm X at 25, we would have lost a hustler named Detroit Red. And if I had left the world at 25, we would have lost a big-band trumpet player and aspiring composer--just a sliver of my eventual life potential.” I’m 26 years old now, and while I’m proud of everything I had accomplished by age 25, I’d probably just be remembered as the kid from Long Island who is always preaching motivational quotes and sells soda and sticky notes!  Quote: “Every time I speak I want the truth to come out. Every time I speak I want a shiver. I don’t want them to be like they know what I’m gonna say because it’s polite. I’m not saying I’m gonna rule the world or I’m gonna change the world, but I guarantee you that I will spark the brain that will change the world.” Tupac left behind a ton of wisdom for us to learn from in his entire body of work. It doesn’t matter if you’re an actress, writer, entrepreneur, musician, athlete or WHATEVER; living by a few of these life lessons can benefit ANYONE! Embrace Change: Change . . . SHIT, I GUESS Change is GOOD for ANY of US . . .  Promote Unity: “It’s time for us as a people to start making some chances, lets change the way we eat, lets change the way we live, and let’s change the way we treat each other. You see the old way wasn’t working so it’s on us to do what we gotta do, to survive.”  Smile Often: “Through all the rain and the pain, you gotta keep a sense of humor. You gotta be able to smile through all this bullshit.” Make a Difference: Be the change that you wish to see in the world. Speak up for those who can’t speak up for themselves.  THUG LIFE BABY! https://mruddo.com

According to Squidoo, brain hacking is "to perform some act that gains access to the fundamental mechanism behind your mind and other people's minds by here-to-fore unknown or apparently mystical means."  From a scientific viewpoint, a brain hack is a maneuver of the neuronal system to (temporarily) alter is functions like focus, awareness, memory, and perception.  They say we only access (on average) 10% of our brains . . . Imagine tapping into the other 90% of your brains seemingly unlimited potential?! It doesn’t require a PhD to understand how and leverage the way the brain functions.  Leading neuroscientists explain that mental hacks usually affect the brain through two overlapping but distinct mechanisms: the neurotransmitter and hormonal system. Imagine being able to achieve and maintain peak mental performance?! There are actionable tips and exercises you could put to work immediately to help you reach your desired mental state.  Quote: My brain power depends on my retained mastery of analyzing in detail what's happening in my world and in my mind and body. I must continue to practice to retain my constructive and analytic powers. The goal is to be a master of my environment. - Michael Merzenich How do we begin to hack, train, re-wire, challenge and develop your brain?! How do we configure out brain so that we feel happy, satisfied, fulfilled, healthy, strong and uninhibited more often?! Reducing the stress responses (flight-or-fight) and enhancing the reward systems in your brain is the goal.  The Memory Palace Technique Recalling Fond Memories of People & Places Circadian Clock Rhythm  Being MORE Social Playing Memory Games Using Pneumonic Devices Eating Healthy Foods Expanding YOUR Vocabulary Exercising Meditation Vitamins & Minerals Listening to Music Different people have different levers to pull and buttons to push. Experiment with all these strategies we’ve discussed today, find what works best for you, and put it into action. https://mruddo.com

For many, 2020 was riddled with misfortune, anxiety, pressure, work and information overload, erratic emotions, and sleepless nights. In the most recent episode of The Motivation Movement, we took time to discuss various methods of reflection, to help you better understand and learn from your 2020 experience, so 2021 can be filled with love, happiness, health, friendship, success, and good fortune. Personally, I asked myself many of the same questions that were posed in the last episode. What theme or name would I give to 2020? The FIRE Starter. A FUCKING flame was lit under my ass, BIG TIME. 2020 has literally felt like a giant preparation session for 2021 and beyond.  In 2020, I kept my commitments, worked according to my values, and prioritized my mental health. With every new year comes a clean slate — so what will you do with this fresh start? How do we keep the momentum FLOWING into 2021? Quote: We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives ... not looking for flaws but for potential. – Ellen Goodman Luckily, we spent the final few days of 2020 reflecting on the work to be done and cracks to be patched. We identified the flaws, now it’s time to unlock the potential. WHERE DO WE BEGIN?!? We begin by implementing ALL the actionable advice we’ve discussed over the past few months. To be successful in the NEW YEAR, we need to drive accountability, practicing gratitude, develop good habits, build our temperament, be patient and focus on ABUNDANCE. 2021 should be a culmination of all the lessons learned in 2020. Driving accountability is the best place to start, having already established goals (resolutions) for the NEW YEAR. It’s not easy to hold yourself accountable, but you’ll thank yourself by the end of 2021 for having been so organized and productive all year.  Practicing gratitude should be another pillar of success for 2021. We already made a list of ALL the people and items we were grateful in 2020, let’s keep it rolling.  Accountability and gratitude are ideas, practices, that can become habitual over time. Habits are created by starting with small adjustments, stacking SMALL WINS is essential.  Being patient and building a positive temperament go HAND and HAND with habit forming. Personal growth and development TAKE TIME. What's the purpose of nurturing patience in yourself?  The possibilities for the next 365 days are endless. A lot can change, and most importantly, you can change, FOR THE BETTER. If you’re here listening to this episode today, on January 1st, 2021, you’re in a good spot.  https://mruddo.com

2020 has been fucking crazy, there’s no other way to describe it. We experienced invasive murder hornets, destructive wildfires in Australia and all along the West Coast of the United States, Tiger King, civil unrest, and a very hectic, extremely divisive election. This year has been challenging to say the least.  It’s now more important than ever to practice gratitude in the wake of such troubling and unfortunate times. I implore you to not leave 2020 feeling entirely defeated and hopeless, as hard as it may seem. If we fail to find the good within the shit-storm that was 2020, we’re not trying hard enough, we’re just giving up. That’s unacceptable in my book.  If you learned a new skill, made a new friend, embarked on a new adventure, started a side hustle or began to practice meditation, you deserve to congratulate yourself on a small but meaningful WIN! 😊 We often talk about the importance of reflection; the final days of the year make for a perfect opportunity.  Quote: If you wrote a book for each day of the year that has past. And then reread it on New Year's Eve, what things would you change, what things would you cherish. Take the things that are cherished and vow to focus more on that in the coming New Year. – Theodore W. Higginsworth Analysis (Body): Some days I felt confident, others I felt depressed. Some days I felt unstoppable, some day I felt defeated. Some days I adventured. Some days I didn’t leave bed. What feelings and emotions have you experienced this year?  What did you LOVE? What would you leave out? What could you add or improve?!  Answering these questions helps you realize your accomplishments, lessons learned, knowledge and skills acquired, and mistakes and missteps you may have made.  Reflection gives us the opportunity to FOCUS, bringing clarity to the key takeaways from 2020.  I hope these ends of the year reflection ideas help you build and grow into your best self in 2021. I wish you nothing but health, happiness, and success as you venture off into the NEW YEAR!  Remember, reflection is important. By taking a step back and taking a moment to make sense of the past year, you remind yourself of your values, what’s important, what MATTERS.