goal setting » Empowering Your Mind

Don’t Slow Before the Finish Line

Mar 082021

by Linda-Ann Stewart

I don’t watch much sports, but my husband and I do enjoy the summer and winter Olympics. Over the years, I’ve noticed something interesting about many athletes who are in speed contests. Whether they’re runners, ice skaters or cyclists, when they’re in a race, they often ease up as they approach the finish line. Sometimes the front runner, who has slowed down, is passed by another athlete who has kept up their pace until after they’ve crossed the finish line.

This isn’t just true about athletes. It’s also true in any kind of goal achievement. The same problem affects changing a habit or achieving a sales target. Do you have the finish line in sight and slow down or stop your efforts? Often, when someone is about to accomplish a goal, whether personal or professional, they sabotage their attempt. They’ll stop putting energy towards the goal, try to coast across the line, stop just short of it, or abandon it completely just before they’ve reached their objective. If you do this, you restrict the amount of abundance from the Universe.

Some Reasons You Hold Yourself Back (and what to do about them)

There are a variety of reasons for this kind of self-sabotage. Here are a three of them, and suggestions to maintain your progress until you’ve accomplished your goal.

Fear of success. You hold yourself back because you’re afraid of what success would bring, such as extra responsibility, criticism or envy of others. As long as you fall short of your aim, you avoid the potential consequences. For instance, you work on a project, but as you approach completion, you get distracted. Or you procrastinate finishing, because it’s not perfect. If you turn in a less than stellar result, you can use it as an excuse for not getting that promotion.

If you’re concerned about extra responsibility, take some extra training so you can deal with the additional authority. And you aren’t responsible for how someone else reacts to your success. Don’t take it personally. You are simply their latest scapegoat for their own insecurities. Just focus on doing your work to the best of your ability and take pride in that. The Universe supports you and will provide whatever help you need to deal with your concerns.

You overreach. You set a goal that is more than what you actually want. For instance, you state you want to lose twenty pounds, when your actual intention is to lose fifteen. The issue is that your subconscious knows your actual goal. You can’t fool it. Your subconscious will support you to your true target, but not any farther. That means that as you approach your desired weight, you start eating foods that aren’t on your diet. You indulge in some snack chips, then a cupcake, and your weight reduction grinds to a halt near your internal desire.

To remedy this, remember that your goal is an artificial ideal. Instead of focusing on the number on the scale, shift your attention to the process that’s getting you there. In this case, your attention would be on eating healthier foods, in smaller amounts, and getting more exercise. Small servings of desserts would only be for special occasions. Your reduced weight is then the outcome of your lifestyle shift.

This can be true of sales goals, as well. Spend more time concentrating on your daily task of creating and contacting leads instead of your eventual sales. Your process will result in with more sales than aiming at a target, though the target is helpful to keep you going in the right direction. Your goal tells the Universe what you want. Your job is to follow through with your process and the Universe will provide the result.

Stay in your comfort zone. You’ve set a goal that you’re comfortable achieving. You have confidence that you can reach your aspiration without much difficulty. It doesn’t stretch you and you just go through the motions to accomplish it. Once you do, you feel so good that you repeat the process so you can feel uplifted again. But you stay in the same place and don’t improve.

Stop limiting yourself. Open your mind to the abundance of the Universe. It is safe to accept more good. If you’re not expanding out of your comfort zone, that zone will shrink and it will be harder to maintain your current level of performance. Motivational gurus and coaches encourage people to choose a goal that scares them. This allows you to grow, learn and gain more confidence as you progress. What objective would make you feel a little intimidated and uncomfortable? Start taking steps, baby ones if need be, and accept the fear.

Focus on Your Steps

If you undermine your progress when approaching your goal, stop thinking about the end result. Instead, focus on the steps of your plan and your procedure for moving forward. When you accomplish one step, tackle the next one. That way, you won’t be as intimidated or concerned about where you are in relation to the finish line. And who knows, you might exceed your goal and reach the stars.

Affirmation:

The Universe wants the best for you and supports you in all your endeavors. Whatever you need to achieve your goal is provided. You’re Divinely Guided in your direction and activities. As you take the steps necessary, the Universe takes care of the result.

Watch the accompanying video, Overcome the Obstacles to Your Goal.

As a vision strategist, hypnotherapist, and speaker, Linda-Ann Stewart helps women entrepreneurs and small business owners who feel stuck, immobilized and overwhelmed to to get clear, focused and on the fast track to the next level of their business. To achieve a 90-day goal more easily, sign up for her FREE comprehensive Strategic Vision blueprint at www.Linda-AnnStewart.com/setyourcourse.html. You can contact her at LAS@Linda-AnnStewart.com or 928-600-0452.

Sparks of Insight

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Feb 222021

The subconscious always is working. You may not be getting the outcome that you want, but that’s not the fault of the subconscious. It’s only doing and giving you what you’ve programmed into it in the past or present. The subconscious has rules, principles, and ways that it functions. And just as with federal law, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.” Just because you don’t know what those rules are or choose not to follow them doesn’t mean you’re excluded from their effect. To get positive results, focus exclusively on what you want for a couple of minutes, twice a day. Imagine that it’s happening, feel its reality, and take action towards it.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Creating A Treasure Map To Achieve Your Desires

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May 212020

by Linda-Ann Stewart

Sages say, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” This is true because images are the way the subconscious mind processes information. A word or verbal phrase translates into images in the inner mind. Think of the difference between reading “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” versus watching the movie. Which one was more powerful and evoked more emotions? Most likely it was the movie. The words on the page had to be transformed into mental pictures, but the movie was in the very language of the subconscious, thus grabbed it more directly.

This is why so many goal setting techniques suggest using visualization and cutting out pictures of what you want to help to manifest your desires. We co-create our world by the images we hold in our minds. Looking at pictures of our goals helps to keep our minds focused on what we want. There are lots of different terms for this technique. Master Mind designates it “image book pages,” Joseph Murphy and Mary Katherine MacDougall call it “treasure mapping,” and Catherine Ponder’s phrase for it is a “wheel of fortune.” More recently, they’ve been called, “vision boards” or “dream boards.”

The Basic Technique

No matter what it’s called the basic technique is the same. A person cuts out and collects pictures from magazines that represent what he/she wants. The action of finding the pictures, cutting them out, then pasting them onto paper helps to convince the subconscious that you really do want this goal. The pictures may simply evoke the feeling of the desired result, such as a sunset for peace, or a lit candle for enlightenment, or specific pictures of a cruise, car, income or job. The idea is to find pictures that speak to you. For a job, you might find pictures of someone doing that specific job, or a picture that symbolizes it to you.

Underneath the pictures, you write an affirmation that directs the mind. The affirmation can be “I know that my Higher Mind wants this for me, and my creative mind finds the best way for it to manifest” or “I now have a lavish income of X coming to me easily and freely.” Any statement that clarifies your goal and supports the belief that Spirit is manifesting it now will work. This helps keep you aware that the Universe wants this for you as much as you want it for yourself.

Different Ways to Use the Basic Technique

There are different ways to use the basic technique. For a single goal, such as a job, relationship, travel, or new house or car, you can get a page of colored construction paper or large posterboard and paste the pictures on it. Use a color that connects with you and your goal. Such as green or gold for prosperity, blue or green for relationships or relaxation, red or orange for a new position or some change in your life, purple or lavender for spiritual growth. I had a friend who created a treasure map and placed it on the inside of the door to her closet, where she saw it every day. You can also use a corkboard or styrofoam to pin the pictures and affirmations to, and change them as you choose.

For several different goals, you can get a posterboard and divide it into the areas of your goals. You could segment it into four parts, such as: work, play, relationships, and health. Then paste the pictures and write the affirmations as you would with a single sheet in each area. At the center, you could have a picture and affirmation that recognizes that the Universe is the Source of your good.

Another Way to Use the Basic Technique

One of my early metaphysical teachers used a notebook for his treasure map. He was a businessman and kept it in a drawer of his desk to look at several times a day and said that all of the desires he put into it came to pass. You can take a folder with fasteners, like you used in school, and put pictures and affirmations on sheets of unruled paper. Again, each goal should have its own separate sheet of paper.

How to Use the Treasure Map

With a treasure map, you need to have it where you can look at it several times a day, but where no one else can see it, such as a closet or drawer. This keeps it private, between you and your Higher Self. If you have someone who will be completely supportive of your goal, you can share it with them. Look at your map several times a day and each time give thanks that the Universe and your creative mind has already given you what the pictures represent. By giving your mind a picture of your desire, keeping your attention focused on it, the Universe will find the perfect way to transport you to your destination.

Affirmation:

I know that the Universe wants the best for me, the Highest Good of abundance, health, harmony, ease and comfort. As I put the pictures of what I want into my mind, it powers my Higher Mind to create a perfect outcome. I don’t need to know how it will manifest. My Higher Mind knows just the right way to deliver me to my desire. I give thanks, knowing that the Universe has already granted me what I want.

How to Get Unstuck and Reduce Stress

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Apr 082020

During this crisis, people are feeling stuck, stressed and off balance. It’s hard to think clearly or to know what you can do that’s productive and positive. So most people just remain immobilized. Here’s a simple strategy you get you back in control, reduce your stress, and allow you to regain your balance.

Transcript:

Thank you for joining me. I’m Linda-Ann Stewart, a vision strategist. Today, I’d like to talk a little bit about how you can reduce some of the stress you may be feeling as a result of our current crisis. We’re in unknown territory.

Everyone is feeling out of their depth and off balance. They’re worried about their health and that of their loved ones, worried about finances, and uncertain about how long this crisis will last. All of this worry and uncertainty causes stress. And with stress, it’s hard to make rational decisions. We react, and can’t think clearly of how to respond in a productive way.

Instead, it’s human nature to either fight, freeze or try to flee from the danger. We either feel angry, immobilized or fearful. It’s nature’s way of helping us deal with a threat, right? Well, we can’t fight a virus. I mean hand-to-hand combat. And we certainly can’t flee from it while we’re quarantined, can we? However, people have complained the most to me about feeling frozen, stuck or helpless.

The way out of feeling stuck is to move, to actively do something positive. There are a lot of things you can’t control or do anything about right now. But what can you control? You can control your actions and attention. So focus on what you can do, just one thing you can do.

What one positive thing can you do today that will make you feel like you accomplished something? It could be as simple as taking a shower, changing out of your pajamas or changing a light bulb. That’s your first step. When you get one thing done, no matter how small, it will give you encouragement to do something else. You could reach out to a loved one or friend. Send a greeting card. Try out a new recipe. Do something creative.

As you take action, it becomes easier to do it again. Feeling in control reduces the feelings of stress, which means you’ll be able to think more clearly. You may be able to plan for what’s next. Who knows? You might even end up cleaning out the garage. Maybe. No pressure. But even if you don’t achieve that massive task, you will still have been able to regain your sense of balance, by just doing one thing at a time.

If you’d to achieve a 90-day goal more easily, download my free comprehensive Strategic Vision blueprint at www. Linda-AnnStewart.com/setyourcourse.html. You’ll receive the blueprint, as well as a video of that walks you through it with tips and directions to support you in you in accomplishing your goal.

Thank you for watching. My wish for you is to stay well, physically, mentally and emotionally.

Read the complementary article, When Life Gives You Lemons…

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

What Motivates You?

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Mar 272020

by Linda-Ann Stewart

Do you wait until the last minute to do your taxes or a report? Do you procrastinate and avoid thinking about them until the night before they’re due? If so, you may be motivated to try to avoid pain, until the last possible moment. In the meantime, your attention is divided, knowing that the project is looming over you. While you’re trying to go about your life, dread nibbles at you.

Or are you someone who does your taxes, or a report, as soon as can? If so, you’re motivated to get your refund faster or to move on to the next task. You look forward to not only getting the unpleasant task done quickly, but to the reward of receiving your refund and clearing your desk. You’re motivated by seeking pleasure. You take your time and make fewer mistakes, because you aren’t pressured.

How the Pain Pleasure Principle Works to Achieve Goals

People are motivated to avoid pain and/or anticipate pleasure. To find out which governs you the most, assess how you deal with unpleasant aspects of your life. If you generally procrastinate or let things go until the last minute, you’re probably motivated to avoid pain.

To achieve your goals, you stir up the pain until it’s so bad that you must move forward to reduce the discomfort. This is fine for the short term and to initiate change, but it’s stressful and extended stress leads to burnout. You’ll associate your goals with pain and eventually abandon them.

Using pain to flog yourself forward wounds the inner self. You also block the flow of the Universe and the Law of Attraction. Your attention is on the pain, and not on your vision and your connection to your Higher Self. To avoid the discomfort, you move in any direction that eases the pain, even if it’s the opposite way you want to go. Or you do the least amount possible to make the pain go away, and that won’t take you to what you ultimately want, either.

To function at your best, your subconscious and inner self need safety, which is the reverse of stress. If you’re motivated by seeking pleasure, you feel more secure. You’re able to be more creative and effective, and have a greater range of resources from which to draw. The Universe and the Law of Attraction are able to expand more good into your life. You also have your focus on what your goals will bring you.

Getting tasks done ahead of time gives you a sense of satisfaction and your attention can then be freed for your next step. Your brain likes the completion, and rewards you with a feeling of being uplifted. Being motivated to anticipate pleasure is better for long term progress. It draws you forward towards your vision. It activates the Law of Attraction to draw to you what you need for your desire.

Using Your Motivation Style to Your Advantage

No matter if you’re someone who avoids pain or anticipates pleasure, you can use this motivation principle to more easily achieve your goals. If you’re been someone who stirs up the pain to initiate action, that’s fine. Once you’re moving, you can shift to the longer term strategy. Here are four steps to help you be more successful.

1. Your goal must be realistic. Create small steps that you can accomplish so you feel like you’re progressing. For instance, if you expect to accomplish five projects, when you only have time for three, you’re going to feel like a failure. Even if you must scale back your expectations, make sure your steps can be achieved in the time allotted.

2. Write out your ultimate vision. Write down what it will look and feel like to achieve your goal. Explain why you want your vision. What changes will it bring into your life and how will that improve your situation? This stirs up the anticipation of the pleasure you’ll feel when you’ve reached your goal.

3. Reframe the pain. Once you get moving, don’t continue to drive yourself with the fear of what will happen if you don’t take the next step. Instead, give yourself credit for each step you’ve taken along the way. The subconscious likes the appreciation and you’ll feel encouraged to continue. Look forward to the benefit you anticipate from your actions.

4. Take mini-steps. Work on your goal in short bursts of energy during the day. Think of it as a series of small sprints, rather than a marathon. Alternate your actions with some other neutral or pleasurable activity. You’ll stop associating the goal or task with pain and negativity when it’s not overshadowing your life. Once you see how much you’re getting done, and feeling the satisfaction, it becomes easier and easier to work on.

It may feel uncomfortable to make a shift to a different way of motivating yourself. You’re breaking a long standing habit. But if you do, you’ll be much happier, more productive and successful in all of your endeavors.

Affirmation:

The Universe wants the best for me and I deserve it. By keeping my vision in mind, I create a mold for the Universe to fill and draw to me everything I need. I acknowledge and appreciate every step I take towards my vision. Each step brings me closer to the achievement of my dreams.

Watch the complementary video, Motivate Yourself with this Strategy.

Motivate Yourself with this Strategy

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Mar 182020

Is there a goal you want that you haven’t put any effort towards yet? To achieve your goal, you have to motivate yourself to start taking action. But that’s easier said than done. You have to find what will make it important enough to you to get moving. And then you have to discover how to stay committed. Here’s a strategy that will solve those problems and get you on course to achieving the goal you’ve been dreaming of.

Transcript:

Thank you for joining me. I’m Linda-Ann Stewart, a vision strategist. I’d like to share a technique I’ve used for thirty years to help clients get themselves motivated to make massive changes in their lives. It’s called the Stick and the Carrot.

Essentially, it’s figuring out what will prompt you to get moving, and what will keep luring you forward. It’s like a cart driver using a stick to gently urge a reluctant donkey to start forward, and dangling a carrot on the end of a stick in front of the donkey to keep them moving. No, I’m not calling you a donkey. But doesn’t it sometimes feel like you’re stuck and won’t move forward? This strategy will solve that.

I suggest a technique many businesses use. To motivate yourself to do something you’re dreading, do a cost-benefits analysis. Sounds boring, doesn’t it? But it’s worked for my clients.

I ask them why they want whatever their goal is. What happens if they don’t get it and what happens if they do? Essentially, you’re figuring out what the costs are to not getting started (the stick), and then what the benefits would be to taking action (the carrot).

For the costs, or disadvantages, ask yourself, “What are consequences of staying on this same path?” “How will I feel if I don’t make this change?” And, “Where will I be in a year or two years if I don’t commit to changing?” Those would be the costs of inaction for you. Most of the time, the answers to these questions will gently whip you into taking action, even if it’s small and slow.

Now for the carrot, to lure you forward towards your rewards. To consider the benefits, turn the questions around. Ask yourself, “What are the advantages of making the change?” “How will I feel once I’ve achieved this change?” “Where will I be in a year if I do commit to making a change?” This helps you to create the vision of what you want. Done right, it will stir up anticipation, excitement and commitment.

When you use both of these, you’ll spur yourself forward and keep going. The stick simply reminds you of what will happen if you don’t take action, and the carrot is there to remind you of what’s in store for you when you do.

If you’d like to achieve a 90-day goal more easily, download my free comprehensive Strategic Vision blueprint. You’ll receive the blueprint, as well as tips and directions to support you in you in accomplishing your goal.

Thank you for watching. I hope you motivate yourself to achieve that goal you’ve been dreaming of. I know you can do it.

Read the accompanying article What Motivates You?

~ Linda-Ann Stewart