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Consistency: The Key To Your Success

Consistency: The Key To Your Success

by Linda-Ann Stewart

Steps to Success

Over the past couple of years, Robin gained 30 pounds. Looking back to see what had created the extra weight, she realized she’d begun a new job two years ago that had included donuts in the break room. Every day, she’d grab one or two of them. Because of the unconscious habit she’d developed, eating more calories than normal, she’d gained an unwelcome amount of weight.

Have you ever noticed that when you do something over and over, it not only becomes a habit, but it has a certain outcome? This may be a goal you want for yourself, such as a healthier lifestyle. Or you may receive a result that you didn’t want, like gaining weight, as Robin did. But when you consistently take the same actions, you’re going to reap the rewards or the consequences of what you’re doing.

For instance, Carol got into credit card debt by not paying off her balance at the end of each month. Instead, she’d regularly let $50-$100 dollars pile up each cycle because she didn’t have the extra money to apply to it. Carol didn’t realize that each month she was spending more than she made.  

The same idea happens to smokers. Earl didn’t start out smoking 2 packs a day. His smoking increased slowly as he associated more and more situations and activities with a cigarette. When any of these circumstances surfaced during the day, he’d reach for another hit of tobacco. Eventually, he built up to his 2 pack a day habit.

Each of these examples didn’t get to an overwhelming level overnight. It took a constant series of the same actions over a period of time that changed a little problem into a big one. There are many other challenges that are like these: personal, professional, lifestyle, financial, and health. Big problems don’t form in an instant. They build up slowly over time as you perform one action on top of another to create a habit that results in your challenge.

What You Need to Be Able to Change

If you want to change the problem, you’ll need consistency and discipline to do so. Just as the problem built up one decision and action at a time, you’ll need to take one step at a time to undo it. You’ve had the issue for a long time. It won’t be undone in a few days.

The solution is the same as what created your problem. Success comes from taking a specific action over and over again. Take small consistent steps that chip away at the issue. It’s like turning a car around in a narrow road. You have to back up and pull forward a number of times before you can go in the opposite direction.

The same is true of making these changes. It may take a few months, a year, or even several years to get to your goal. But if you don’t make the changes, your problem will continue to grow.  

Whatever goal you desire, choose sustainable actions you can take that will move you in that direction. When you do, think of the outcome that you’re aiming for. This will help to keep you motivated, even when the results are slow in coming.

Why Consistency Is Important

Your choices and behaviors communicate to your subconscious that you are willing to do what’s necessary to achieve your goal. Consistency means there aren’t any mixed messages impressing your subconscious. As long as you’re true to moving in the new direction, the Law of Attraction will begin to draw whatever you need to fulfill your mission.

For instance, the way to lose weight is to eat fewer calories than you expend each day and include regular exercise. If you want to pay off debt, reduce expenditures each month and apply that money to pay down your credit cards or other debts. To increase your business, create a plan to consistently reach more people through networking and marketing. If building your savings is your goal, commit to putting a minimum amount of money in that account each month.

For greater peace of mind, meditate every day. Using affirmations each day will impress your subconscious to make an improvement in your life. To move towards your goal, you have to focus on where you want go and decide to move in that direction.

Consistent actions created the life you have now, and consistent actions will create the new life you want. When you’re persistent in making decisions that result in different behaviors, then you’ll receive the new outcomes that you want. Choose your goal, create the steps to get there, and then take them one at a time. The journey to your future begins with the steps you take each day. Consistency is the key to your success.  

Affirmation:

When I’m consistent in my thoughts, decisions and actions, I communicate what I want clearly to my subconscious and the Universe. Every action I take leads to greater success and fulfillment. The Universe completely supports my endeavors. I am Divinely Guided in my choices and direction.

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Sparks of Insight

Sparks of Insight

Sparks of Insight

Have you gotten stuck in a comfort zone? If so, this doesn’t help you to evolve, progress or improve your life. If you’re completely comfortable where you are, you need to do something that pushes you. There’s an old saying, “If always do what always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” Life is expansion, change and if you don’t choose it willingly, Life has a habit of thrusting it on you. Step out and do something that makes you uncomfortable, like asking for some help, take a class in something you’re interested in, make that extra phone call you’ve been dreading. By expanding your comfort zone by just a bit, you’re attracting more good to you. 

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

How to Become More Positive When Things Go Wrong

How to Become More Positive When Things Go Wrong

By Linda-Ann Stewart

Haven’t you had days when everything seemed to go wrong? You spilled your coffee on your proposal, the copier jammed, and you had a flat tire. Or maybe you’ve had times when the future looked dark and it was hard to see any light. When you’re down, it’s hard to see that there’s a way up. It becomes difficult to remember a time when things went well.

In these times, it’s challenging to stay positive, even when you know that being optimistic brings better results. You know shifting into a more upbeat frame of mind can turn things around and open doors for you. But when you’re down, it’s hard to focus on being positive. And this shuts down your ability to innovate.

What if you had a journal of evidence to remind you of times when things worked out? When you read about instances when you had good things happen, your mood lifts. Shifting your attention to something better changes your perspective and life flows more smoothly. You open to a broader range of possibilities and engage your creative mind to find solutions.

When you keep a journal of times when you were happy or when a situation worked out, it keeps you focused on the positive. And a journal gives you something to refer to when you need a mental boost. The more often you add to this journal, the more you train your mind to look for joy in everyday occurrences. You create an upward spiral of positivity that buoys you up when things go wrong.

There are several types of journals you can keep, and none of them take much time to update each day. Consider creating one of the following:

Gratitude. Evidence shows that writing three to ten gratitudes each day can improve your attitude within three weeks. People who keep a gratitude journal feel better about their lives as a whole and make more progress on their personal goals. Also, they better at bouncing back after adversity.

Falling Star. This is when you have something amazing drop into your lap. For example, you talk to someone in line at the store and gain a new customer. Or you mention that you need a plumber, and your neighbor gives you a great reference for one. By remembering that good things come when you least expect it, you prime your mind to seek opportunities for you.

Bright Side. This is when a situation looks grim, but suddenly turns around. For instance, I had to find a new home insurance policy after my old one had increased substantially. My new agent found one, with the same coverage, for almost half the price. This one could also be called “Dawn,” as in, “It’s always darkest before the dawn.”

Awe. What inspires awe for you? A beautiful sunset, a hummingbird hovering, or crashing waves? Awe can be found in the smallest of moments and can bring a sense of happiness and joy. When you take note of them, you remember how you felt at that time. Referring to a moment of awe can reduce stress and improve your well being.

Manifestation or the Law of Attraction. When have you successfully attracted or manifested something you were focusing on? Describe it in this journal so you can recall it in the future. Include your attitude and belief about the situation. Your item could be as simple as finding a great parking place or as complex as being offered the perfect job. This journal can encourage and support your spirituality.

Daily practice with any of these types of journals conditions your mind to seek out the positive, which keeps you more optimistic. And being able to refer to them when you’re down reminds you that things can, and will, get better. It brings you back into a sense of balance. It takes a bit of effort and dedication, but the rewards will be long lasting.

Affirmation:

The Universe supports all of my endeavors. When I keep my thoughts positive, I provide a clear channel through which the Universe can work. I stay positive by remembering times when events have gone well for me. In so doing, it creates an upbeat attitude and allows me to be more effective.

Watch the accompanying video, Use Journaling for Mindfulness and Success.

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Be Mindful of Your Vision

Be Mindful of Your Vision

by Linda-Ann Stewart

Being mindful and having a vision may seem contradictory. Your vision is all about the future, where you’re going and your destination. Mindfulness teaches you to stay in the present moment, without concern about the past or future. It sounds like vision and mindfulness are in opposition, doesn’t it? But they actually have a lot in common to help you be successful and achieve your goals in life.

For instance, your vision, although you keep it in view, necessitates you to have a plan and take steps to reach your destination. With your vision, the Law of Attraction knows what to draw to you. Mindfulness involves being intentional, focusing on one task at a time. Once you’ve completed that item, you focus on the next goal. In this way, you stay on course to your objective. Being mindful also opens a clearer channel to the Universe.

Vision and Mindfulness Are Complementary

That’s where vision and mindfulness intersect. When you’re mindful about your vision, you focus on one step at a time, accomplishing it, then moving onto the next one. Each action builds on the one before and puts you in flow with the Universe. You know where you’re going (your vision), but your attention is on your current activity (mindfulness). By mindfully working through your plan, you’ll reach your vision with the Universe supporting your endeavors.

Being mindful of your vision can be challenging, as life is full of pitfalls and distractions. Only by navigating through challenges, and staying intentional and focused, can you be successful. Here are some suggestions to help you stay mindful and focused on your path, so you don’t get lost in the weeds. This makes it easier for the Law of Attraction to know what it is you want.

Execute your plan. You can’t just develop a plan and then ignore it. To stay on course, create mini-steps so you take one each day. With a plan, the Law of Attraction knows what to provide you to fulfill your goals. The habit of taking action will propel you along so that you then take bigger and bigger steps.

Be present. It’s easy to get lost in the future of what could be, or the past of what could have been. Instead of trying to leap forward, or berating yourself for what you didn’t do, ask yourself, “What can I do right now?” Pay attention to what you can control now. Those actions add up.

Don’t multitask. This is the very opposite of being mindful. You’re trying to do several things at one time, and this results in not doing any of them well. It gives you a false sense of accomplishment, but when you look back, you realize you haven’t really made any progress. Multitasking dilutes your energy and confuses the Law of Attraction. Take one task, complete it, and only then move on to the next.

Take a mental step back. When faced with the temptation to detour, stop and think about it. Be present with what’s going on. Why are you being distracted? Are you bored or uncertain about your next step? Mentally think it through and decide if that distraction or procrastination is worth taking the detour.

Talk yourself through temptation. If you aren’t paying attention to what you want in the moment, your environment is going to grab your attention. This is when distractions and interruptions pull you off course. After you’ve decided you don’t want to take that detour, keep yourself on course by being your own cheerleader. Tell yourself something like, “Stay the course,” “One thing at a time,” “I’ll take care of that detail later.”

Shift your attention to the positive. Sometimes your mental meandering will take you into the undesirable realm of negative thoughts. You doubt yourself, get upset at something not going your way, or become frustrated at not making progress as fast as you’d like. This blocks the flow of Universal energy. Again, take a step back and ask yourself, “Is it worth it to dwell on these ideas?” “Will this move me forward?” or “How much will this matter in a month?” Then shift your attention to something beneficial and productive. Acknowledge something that you’ve accomplished to change your energy.

In the best of times, mindfulness and vision complement each other. They make each other stronger and improve your success in every area of your life. Mindfulness connects you with the Universal flow and your vision gives the Law of Attraction instruction. As you keep your vision in view, and practice being mindful in your daily life, you’ll make the progress you seek.

Affirmation

The Universe wants the best for me. I develop a vision of what I want, and Universal energy and the Law of Attraction help me to fulfill it. As I am mindful about my steps, I remain on course, and stay in the flow of the Universe.

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Live in Expectancy of the Best

Live in Expectancy of the Best

by Linda-Ann Stewart

Elation

Whether positive or negative, your attitude impacts your outcome. Your mindset affects how you filter the world around you, and as a result, determines how you respond to situations. When you expect the worst, your behavior makes that belief a self-fulfilling prophecy. Expecting the best can do the same. And isn’t that a better way to live?

If you expect the worst, you’re braced against that possibility. Your mind rehearses how to deal with a crisis, what you’re going to do in the worst case scenario, and how you might avoid it. This means that all your mental resources are tied up with dealing with difficult situations that might never happen. You aren’t left with many mental resources for moving forward. Because you’re focused on the negative, you’re instructing the Law of Attraction to bring it to you.

The Universe wants the best for you. Therefore / However, if you expect the best, then your subconscious mind searches for opportunities to fulfill that belief. Your subconscious mind is a problem solver. When you set your intention to derive the best from a situation, then your subconscious mind seeks opportunities to create that reality for you. You’re creating the mold for your subconscious mind and the Law of Attraction to fill.

How to Create the Best Result

Life brings all sorts of experiences your way, positive and negative. You can always improve your outcomes through altering your perspective. There will be times when you’re working on a goal, or “shift happens” and your results don’t live up to your hopes. When that’s the case, use these tactics to extract the best possible outcome. Your attitude communicates your intention to the Universe, your subconscious mind, and the Law of Attraction, which responds accordingly.

Be aware of the negative, but don’t focus on it. This doesn’t mean that you ignore or deny the possibility for difficulties. You just don’t focus on them, or rehearse them. In “Psycho-Cybernetics,” author Maxwell Maltz uses the analogy of golf to be aware of negatives. A golfer needs to recognize where the sand and water traps are, but not dwell on them. Instead, the golfer puts their attention on where they want the ball to land. Notice the negatives, and make preparations to avoid them. Have a “Plan B,” if necessary. Then shift your attention to what you want to create and put your energy there. This puts you in the flow of the Universe.

Flip your attitude. If something untoward does happen, instead of giving up or getting discouraged, flip it to be more positive. This way you take charge of your response and it gives you more power to deal with the situation. Ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” or, “How can I make something beneficial out of this?” This instructs your subconscious mind to find a way to extract something good from a disappointing circumstance. You open the way for the Universe to develop a new direction for you.  

Don’t take it personally. When someone hurts or offends you, instead of taking it personally, realize it’s probably not about you. They have their own issues that they’re taking out on you. It’s likely they’re defending themselves against a perceived threat, which is probably from their past. It doesn’t mean you excuse their behavior, but you can seek to understand their motives. Ask yourself, “What’s their agenda?” or “What are they trying to achieve?” That can give you valuable information on how to positively respond to the situation.

Achieving a goal. When you’re working on a goal, don’t just focus on the end result. This gives your subconscious mind a direction to follow, which helps you take steps towards it. For an even greater outcome, open your mind to the possibility of something even better happening than what you can currently conceive of. The Universe has greater plans for you than you know. Not only does this give your subconscious mind permission to find other paths to accomplish your goal, but it instructs your inner mind to “achieve this or something better.”

Living in the Possibilities

When you live in the possibility of your best case scenario occurring, you instruct your subconscious mind to put its resources to work to that end. You may not have the information to imagine what the best outcome could be. You can only provide your subconscious mind the image of what you can consciously conceive of at the present time.

There may be a greater outcome than you can imagine. Opening your mind to the possibility of something better means that your subconscious can override outdated, limiting beliefs. And when you choose to live in an attitude of expecting the best from every situation, you create a life of joy, abundance and success.

AFFIRMATION:

The Universe wants the best for me. Therefore, I choose to expect the best out of every situation. If there are challenges, I shift my attention to what benefit can come to me as a result. When I decide on a goal or outcome, I set the intention of, “This or something better.” Only good comes to me from every circumstance.

Watch the accompanying video, How to Achieve Your Goal More Easily.

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What Motivates You?

What Motivates You?

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.

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Sparks of Insight

Sparks of Insight

Sparks of Insight

“I live and move and have my being in pure Spirit. That Spirit is love, harmony, peace, health and an abundance of all good things. All that I could ever need or want is already available to me and awaiting my acceptance of it.”

Everything within you and around you is Universal energy, from your breath to the chair you sit on. You are surrounded by Infinite love. You’ve put distance between yourself and that energy by the beliefs you hold that were created in the past. Let go of any idea of being separate from the good that you want. It’s there, just waiting for you to allow it in.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

How to Manifest Your Ideal Life

How to Manifest Your Ideal Life

by Linda-Ann Stewart

Do you know what your ideal life would be like? I don’t mean that you’ve won the lottery and are living the life of a multi-millionaire. That would be nice, I know. But I mean a life that is realistic and that you can create for yourself through your thoughts and actions.

You’ve already created the life you have now, through your thoughts, beliefs and behaviors. These have either been programmed in the past or were of your deliberate choosing. The Law of Attraction took that programming and brought you the life you now have. To create your ideal life, take charge and mold your life into what you want it to be.

As you consider your ideal life, you develop clarity about what it would consist of. Contemplate a life that delivers all you need to be happy, healthy and fulfilled. Although it needs to be realistic, don’t aim too low. Really dream about a life that would bring you joy. Once you’ve begun the process, it’s time to get specific.

Six steps to create your ideal life:

Create the vision. Your vision gives your subconscious and the Law of Attraction a destination. It’s where you want to end up. As you develop your vision, consider how your life could flow smoothly. Imagine that all you need is provided. Reflect on what you want in the way of harmony, health, travel and relationships. What kind of schedule do you want to keep? This is the time to really dream.

Focus on one area. If you try to work on too many goals at the same time, you spread your energy too thin. Your subconscious and the Law of Attraction will get overwhelmed. You’ll be able to advance a little bit on some of them, but it will be so small that you’ll get discouraged. Instead, pick an area that you really want to change, and focus on that first. You’ll reach it much sooner and then be able to move on to your next goal.

Develop the steps. What do you need to do to create your ideal life? Break your steps down into mini-steps, making them easy to accomplish. How much of it can you achieve in 90 days? Make that your goal. When you have a vision, it may seem too distant and unattainable. Breaking your vision into 90 day goals makes it much more approachable and doable. Then attend to your immediate goal every day, accomplishing one task toward its achievement. This convinces your subconscious and the Law of Attraction that you really are dedicated to your goal.

Construct a visualization. Visualization isn’t just “seeing” something in your mind. Write out your vision completely, as if you’re scripting it. Include how you act and feel with it being accomplished. This gives your subconscious and the Law of Attraction a model to follow. As you do, you may discover that you want to change some habits or attitudes about yourself or your vision. Also script how you accomplish your next step. With this visualization, you’re rehearsing your actions, which make it easier to follow through with in life. Read your script every day.

Check your progress. As you move forward, you may get detoured or distracted. This is normal. Life happens. Every week, take a few minutes to evaluate how far you’ve come and whether you’re still on course. If not, adjust your course to get back on track. Plan out your week, and schedule your next steps. Continually committing yourself to your vision means that you will accomplish it and empowers the Law of Attraction.

Celebrate your achievements. No matter how small the accomplishment, give yourself a mental pat on the back. It feels good to acknowledge that you’ve taken a step. This rewards you for your efforts and encourages you to keep going. Since you want more of those positive feelings, you’ll stay focused on your next step so you continue to feel good.

As you work through these steps, you’ll discover information and resources that you need. Your focus allows you to notice ideas that you would have ignored before. You may also discover you need to shift your priorities or give up outgrown ideas or relationships to accomplish your vision. You deserve your ideal life. Open the door to receive it.

AFFIRMATION:

The Universe supports my endeavors and helps to keep me focused and on course. I deserve the best life that Life has to offer. I now envision it and give myself permission to open the door to succeed. The Universe empowers me to take each step, knowing that each step brings me closer to my ideal life.

Read the accompanying video, Guided Meditation to Create Your Ideal Life.

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Sparks of Insight

Sparks of Insight

Sparks of InsightWhen you are having trouble getting positive about your life, write out how you’d like your life to be. Don’t be concerned with the details of how those things could happen, just script out what you’d like it to look and feel like. Feel how it is to have it the way you want. Get excited and enthusiastic. As you’re creating the script, you may come up with some ideas of what to do to move it along. Get those down, and then pick one to act on. Emotion is what gets things moving, and positive emotion opens the floodgates for the Universe.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Sparks of Insight

Sparks of Insight

Sparks of Insight“I now sense Divine Harmony all around me. Any discord or conflict within or in my environment is now dissolved in the Light of Spirit. Good flows to, through and around me.”

The Universe doesn’t hold back Its Good from you. Your thoughts that dwell on disharmony block the expression of Infinite good that is always flowing. Aligning your thoughts and feelings with higher energy will open up the conduit to allow it to pour into your life.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart