When you want to make a change in your life, the gap between where you are now and where you want to be probably seems insurmountable. But the longest journey begins with a single step. Learn how you can keep moving towards your goal until you finally achieve it.
Copyright 2014 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved
Question: Why hasn’t my situation changed after my repeating affirmations for five weeks?
Answer: From my own experience, when you’re making significant changes, it may take the subconscious some time to do so. At one point in my life, I remember it took about four months of daily affirmations before I saw results, but the results were staggering. You have to continue affirmations even after you start to lose faith, because the follow through also impresses the subconscious.
Also, you need to let the subconscious mind do its work. If your conscious mind keeps asking “when, how?” it draws energy from the subconscious. I know it’s hard not to wonder (believe me, I know), but that’s one of the most important parts of it, and I think, the hardest.
Realize that even though you aren’t seeing results, the affirmations are working. They’re just making changes in the hidden recesses of your mind, and waiting until you let go of the “when, how?” When you’re able to release the concern about it, knowing that they’re working and will show results, then the subconscious can put all its energy into making the changes.
Any doubt or fear will give the subconscious mixed messages. They tell the subconscious you don’t really want your affirmation, because your focus is on the doubt or fear. Remember, the subconscious manifests what you’re focusing on – whether it’s positive or negative – it doesn’t care. It can only go where you direct it.
Copyright 2006, 2014 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved
by Linda-Ann Stewart
Carol’s budding romance fell apart when her boyfriend moved away. Soon after, he found someone else and 
married her. When Carol found out, she fell back into an old habit pattern of criticizing herself because things didn’t work out as she’d expected. But as soon as she realized she was beating herself up, she reminded herself that it was her choice how she felt about the situation.
She could either continue to make herself feel bad, by berating herself for not being important enough for him to stay. Or she could remind herself of some of the reasons why the relationship had problems, such as their different values and interests. By focusing on the relationship issues, she felt better about the breakup. She chose to focus on the real reason the relationship failed, and felt better about the situation.
You have the power to choose what to think about. And what you focus on determines how you feel. If you think about all your failures, then you’re going to feel dejected and disheartened. When you put yourself down, you feel incompetent. This will tell your subconscious to keep presenting you with situations that will make you feel this way.
Your feelings determine what actions you take. Negative and fear based feelings reduce your inner resources. And because you don’t have that extra energy, you pull back and don’t do what’s necessary to resolve the situation.
For instance, you could focus on the fact that you don’t have enough clients. Seeing only the lack will make you sink into fear and you’ll try to find a way to reduce your expenses. Or you could focus on attracting more clients by promoting your business. You then go out and contact more people, tell them about your business, and fulfill your expectation of success. Your focus creates your feelings which determines your actions.
You get more of whatever you focus on. Focus channels the Law of Attraction. If you’re thinking about lack of money, not achieving your goals, or how you’re ineffective, then you’ll get more of that to deal with. But if you focus on drawing abundance into your life, accomplishing your goals, and how you’re capable of success, then that instructs your subconscious to find more opportunities for you to experience these things. The Law of Attraction then draws these conditions to you.
Unless it’s to teach you a lesson, to cause you to deal with the reality of a situation, or to propel you into constructive action, there’s really no reason to dwell on negative thoughts. Once you’ve learned the lesson from a negative situation and become aware of what you need to do, set aside the disempowering thought. It’s no longer serving a purpose.
Your thoughts are like a wild horse. By corralling them and reining them in, you train them to follow your instructions and go where you want them to go. It takes persistent and gentle discipline to accomplish this. When you think something disempowering and negative, gently bring your attention back to something more empowering and constructive. Initially, the negative thought might surface several times a minute, because the old pattern is strong. But each time this happens, refocus your attention on what you choose and eventually these new desires will be the norm.
Whenever you notice yourself feeling sad, bad or upset, ask yourself what you’re thinking. Pay attention to what you’re saying to yourself. Then remind yourself that you have the choice of what to think. There are always different aspects of a situation you can address. Pick something that is empowering and causes you to move forward.
When you train your mind to focus on what you want, you’ll not only feel better, but you’ll be more successful. The Law of Attraction will be working for your best interests. You have the choice of what to think and focus on. Whether you exercise that power in a constructive or destructive way is up to you.
Affirmation:
What I focus on determines how I feel and whether I move forward or not. I have the power and choice about what I focus on in any situation. I choose to put my attention on constructive and empowering ideas. Gently and with persistence, I rein in my mind and direct my focus back onto what I want.
Copyright 2013 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved
~ Linda-Ann Stewart
When you want to achieve a goal or fulfill a vision, you create a plan that includes steps to take you there. But there’s something else you need to address before you even begin working your plan. Learn what this step is, why it’s important, and how you can ensure it will support your success.
~ Linda-Ann
In this video, bestselling author and speaker Brian Tracy describes how to develop a positive attitude. A positive personality will have more effect on your success and happiness than anything else. Although the video text asserts it will help you double your sales, his instructions apply to success in every aspect of life. He describes the ways to build yourself up and fill yourself with constructive ideas. Following these steps will attract success and create happiness in your life.
~ Linda-Ann Stewart
Question: When I first begin using an affirmation, the results are great, but why do they diminish as I continue using it?
Answer: There are several things that could be happening, and you’ll have to consider which one might be happening for you. It could be that as you first use the affirmation, you’re very conscious of it, you are dedicated in its use, you say it with feeling. Then, as you get results, and get used to the affirmation, you begin to say it by rote, without emotion, almost automatically. The solution is to stay aware when you say it, and say it with feeling, again.
Or you could simply be getting so used to the affirmation that it loses its punch, or you could be getting bored with it. In that case, change to another one that with the same idea for awhile. Switching back and forth between affirmations on the same topic is sometimes a good idea to keep them fresh.
Or there could be an inner resistance or conflict to the changes that are occurring. In this case, you’d need to create an affirmation that would address the outdated ideas. I have one on my affirmations page to deal with blocks – “Whatever has been blocking what I desire is an outdated thought form which now dissolves in the Light of Spirit.”
Or as things taper off for awhile, as the changes you’ve experienced begin to become more solid, you begin to “feel” frustrated, lose faith in the affirmation, or feel desperate. The subconscious will respond to your feeling before it responds to your words, because feeling and imagery is the language of the subconscious. In the same vein, you could be holding an image/mental picture of the opposite of the affirmation.
These are some of the most common reasons an affirmation begins to flame out. It’s not the affirmation, it’s the attitude or belief of the person saying it. With everything, you have to be patient and persistent.
If it takes longer, you can have an attitude that the longer it takes, the better the results are going to be. The affirmation is working in the background, making changes that you may not be aware of yet.
Copyright 2005, 2014 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved
As a speaker, personal and professional development coach and hypnotherapist, Linda-Ann Stewart empowers business and professional women who are stuck, immobilized or overwhelmed get focused, prioritize and break through so they generate more business and create consistent income. If you’d like some help to reach your goals, email her at LAS@Linda-AnnStewart.com with “Complimentary Consultation” in the subject line.
Jeff and I have been together almost 20 years. Since it seems we’re compatible, we decided it was time to make our union official. And since it was simply a formality for us, we wanted a small, informal type of wedding.
Last week, Jeff and I did the deed. We got married in an intimate, nontraditional ceremony in a Flagstaff park. Since we love all things Celtic, we used that as our theme.
Celtic music played in the background and we wore Renaissance inspired dress. Our minister is the president of a Celtic Heritage organization in Arizona and a friend of ours. Jeff wrote our vows. He’s amazing at writing from the heart. I treasure the sentiments he writes in the cards he gives me.
We had only 3 guests. My oldest and dearest friend, Linda, was my Maid of Honor. Yes, we’re both named Linda. It caused all sorts of confusion when we were young. We’ve known each other since we were 4 years old, and have been through a lot together. Jeff’s folks were the only other attendees.
We lucked out with the weather. Months ago, when we chose the date, we planned it to be after the main part of the monsoon season would be over. But Arizona has had a late monsoon this year, mainly in the month of September. We had major storms the week before and also a couple of days afterwards. Fortunately, the weather for our wedding was as perfect as it could get.
Now we embark on a new voyage, as married partners. I anticipate a smooth journey, but with more adventures to come.
~ Linda-Ann Stewart (I’m keeping my birth name)
Brendon Burchard describes how your mind creates its programming. By giving your attention to negative thoughts, it develops into a habit. To become more aware, you can take control and decide what to think. He explains how to become aware of what you’re thinking about. Then redirect your attention to focus on what’s positive.
Brendon Burchard is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, personal development trainer, thought leader in human motivation and business marketing. Visit http://brendonburchard.com/ for his free eBook and video series on the secrets to changing your life and reaching high performance in all you do.
~ Linda-Ann Stewart