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“Squirrel!” The Distraction of Multitasking

“Squirrel!” The Distraction of Multitasking

Did you see the cartoon feature film, “Up!”? The dogs in it are able to talk as a result of a special collar Squirrel!that translates their thoughts into words. But the dogs get distracted very easily, especially by squirrels. Every time they think they see one, they say, “Squirrel!” and stop what they’re doing to verify whether one is present or not.

For us, multitasking is something similar. We think that it’s efficient, and we get more done, but really, it’s just satisfying our longing for something new. Our brains get a jolt of pleasure when we are able to switch from what we were doing to check email, read a text or answer a call.

We’re sidetracked from what our original task, and we leave it for a while. After we’ve dealt with the distraction, we return to the task. But it takes precious time and energy to get refocused. Efficiency, creativity, productivity and performance all suffer. Also, it’s exhausting and we can’t think as clearly when multitask.

So the next time you’re tempted to check your email when you’re in the middle of a project, remind yourself that it’s a “squirrel,” and stay focused. Your brain will thank you.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Does working on a goal interfere with affirming it?

Does working on a goal interfere with affirming it?

Question: When affirming the fulfillment of a goal, such as finding a job, doesn’t it interfere with the process of the Road to Successsubconscious to keep seeking it, such as networking, looking at ads, etc.?

Answer: This is a very good question. As a person is learning about how the subconscious works, it’s sometimes difficult to know just what to do. The object is to focus on your goal, such as finding the perfect job, but not to concern yourself as to which one or how you’ll find it.

Then you go about the action necessary to find a job. This sends forth energy into the world and lets your subconscious know that you’re serious about finding one. You may not locate your job from any of the avenues you’ve pursued, but the subconscious has been working behind the scenes, and you may bump into someone, or have someone contact you.

By thinking on this over and over, and keeping your mind focused on the goal, and working towards it, this helps the subconscious know what you want and that you truly want it. And by not trying to figure out “how” it will happen, this keeps you out of the subconscious mind’s way.

So many times, a person might say “I want a new job,” but do nothing to that end. The subconscious then figures that is just a fleeting wish. The dominant idea that a person has is what will manifest. In this case, the person might wish for a new job, but not want to put out any effort to find one. The dominant idea is to take the easy way out and stay where they are.

Copyright 2006, 2015 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved

Commit to Your Priority

Commit to Your Priority

When you want to achieve a goal, it has to be your priority for you to accomplish it. Your actions show what your priority is at that moment. Change isn’t easy. Committing yourself to your goal, vision or desire each day will ensure it become a reality in your life.


~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Are We Losing Our Ability to Concentrate?

Are We Losing Our Ability to Concentrate?

According to Daniel Goleman’s book, Concentrating on Chess GameFocus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence, due to our obsession with multitasking, the internet, social media and cell phones, we’re losing our ability to concentrate. When we constantly check our email, read tweets, or play an online game, we get a jolt of adrenaline. It feels good every time we do and it lights up our brain’s reward circuits. We can’t stay focused on one thing too long or we get itchy for another rush. But it also undermines the ability to focus for any length of time.

Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence also says that the good news is that within a short time of slowing down and not jumping from one thing to another, we regain the ability to pay attention. Our focus and concentration improves within a couple of weeks. When we run from one activity to another, we train ourselves to do more of it. We’re training ourselves to be ADD. But the same is true when we let go of the obsessive need for stimulation. As we break the addiction, we train our minds to focus for longer periods of time.

To accomplish more, reduce stress, and be calmer, we need to reduce the number of times we check our email or cell phone. Within a couple of weeks, notice the difference. We’ll get more done, be healthier, feel better and be able to focus on a chess game or reading a book.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Succeed at Your New Year’s Resolution

Succeed at Your New Year’s Resolution

92% of the people who make New Year’s resolutions never succeed with them. They either overwhelm themselves with Success and Failure Road Sign with dramatic clouds and sky.too many goals, try to accomplish too much too fast, aren’t committed enough to the change, don’t realize what a commitment it is, or life gets them off track.

Whatever the reason, New Year’s resolutions have gotten a reputation for failure. One of the main reasons is that people try to change everything at one time. So, instead of setting resolutions, plural, set resolution, singular. This one step will significantly increase your chances of accomplishing it.

Here are some other suggestions to help you succeed:

  •  Choose one area to focus on.
  • Write down all the steps necessary to achieve it.
  • Prioritize those steps, with reasonable deadlines.
  • Choose one step and work on it a few minutes each day.
  • If you skip a day, or get off track, don’t let it discourage you. Recommit yourself to your goal, and start again.
  • Visualize yourself accomplishing your goal a couple of minutes a day.
  • Write a vision statement, in the positive, about your goal. Read it in the morning and the evening.

It may take you several weeks before you see improvement. But you’ll be that much closer to accomplishing it. And by taking action every day, you’re creating a habit to support yourself and what you want. The side effect will be an increased self-respect and self-worth.

If you’d want some help to focus, prioritize and break through your barriers, contact me for a complimentary coaching consultation at (928) 600-0452 or LAS@Linda-AnnStewart.com.

~Linda-Ann Stewart

Guided Meditation to Imagine Your Best Day

Guided Meditation to Imagine Your Best Day

Your subconscious, which is your creative mind, is very powerful. It’s programmed by your past and current thoughts and ideas. When you take control and use your imagination to re-program it, you’ll start receiving better results. Use this meditation as a guide to creating days that flow smoothly and successfully.



~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Why no change after using affirmations?

Why no change after using affirmations?

Question: Why hasn’t my situation changed after my repeating affirmations for five weeks?Sunset Crater, Flagstaff AZ

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

Choose Your Thoughts and Focus On What You Want

Choose Your Thoughts and Focus On What You Want

by Linda-Ann Stewart

Carol’s budding romance fell apart when her boyfriend moved away. Soon after, he found someone else and Flagstaff Arboretummarried 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

How to reprogram your mind (for positive thinking)

How to reprogram your mind (for positive thinking)

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