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Surmount the Law of Reverse Effect

Surmount the Law of Reverse Effect

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by Linda-Ann Stewart

Have you ever unsuccessfully tried to force your way through an obstacle? This generally just results in frustration and stress. Here’s a tip on how to overcome this tendency and maintain your peace of mind. Watch Surmount the Law of Reverse Effect.

Transcript:

Welcome to your monthly mindset tip. Have you ever found yourself trying to push through an obstacle, only for it to become more solid? I know I have. My mom used to say that, “Banging your head against a brick wall, will only get you a sore head.”

The Law of Reverse Effect, or Reversed Effort,  explains this tendency. The harder you try to force something, some action, some result, the more that energy is going to build to block you. That’s why it’s called the Law of Reverse Effect or Reversed Effort. Putting effort into a goal or activity is valuable, but when it’s not getting you anywhere, except a sore head, it’s time to try something else.

I’d like to share a tip on how to keep you from having a sore head.

I’m Linda-Ann Stewart, a focus mentor, writer and hypnotherapist. These videos are dedicated to empower you to focus and align your heart with your vision so you can achieve your goals.

To surmount the Law of Reversed Effort, the first thing to do is to notice when you’re starting to feel pressure or frustration. Like you’re trying to force a particular result to happen.

When you recognize the stress building, find a way to shift your energy. Walk away from your efforts for a little while. Do something pleasant or enjoyable. I do this when I’m having trouble on a creative project, or even when my checkbook won’t balance. Give your subconscious mind some time and space to find a solution, a new insight or a new direction.

After you’ve restored your sense of balance, return to your endeavor and consider it from a fresh perspective. This will likely give you the breakthrough you need. And it will keep your composure, and head, intact. Thank you for watching. If you liked this video, please give it a thumbs up. And if you’d like to be notified when I release more videos on mindset, motivation and empowerment, please like my channel and click on the bell. As always, stay focused.

Read the accompanying article, Overcome the Law of Reversed Effort, Part 1.

Getting in the Flow

Getting in the Flow

You have a powerful tool to create a better day for yourself. It will allow you to direct your energy towards your goals, and be able to enjoy better results. Learn about how this tip empowers you and builds confidence. Watch Getting in the Flow.

Transcript:

Welcome. I’d like to share a quick mindset tip for creating a better day for yourself. Wouldn’t that be great?

I’m Linda-Ann Stewart, a focus mentor, writer and hypnotherapist. These videos are dedicated to empower you to focus and align your heart with your vision so you can achieve your goals.

Here’s the tip. At the beginning of your day, focus on the best outcome you can imagine. Imagine it in detail, that everything goes your way. I know it sounds simple, right? But this tactic is very effective.

Imagining things going smoothly doesn’t mean you can’t create contingency plans. In Psycho-Cybernetics, Maxwell Maltz says to be aware of the possible problems so you can avoid them. He uses the example of a golfer. That golfer needs to know where the traps and obstacles are, but he doesn’t focus on them. His attention is on his ball and where he wants it to go.

Putting your energy towards bringing about the best outcome reduces your stress, and gives you more resources and creativity to handle any challenges. You act from a place of power and confidence, instead of fear. This means you have a much better chance of enjoying the results you want.

So focus, imagine and expect the best, and keep your eyes on the ball. 

Thank you for watching. If you liked this video, please give it a thumbs up. And if you’d like to be notified when I release more videos on mindset, motivation and empowerment, please like my channel and click on the bell. As always, stay focused.

Get Focused and into the State of Flow, Part 2

Get Focused and into the State of Flow, Part 2

by Linda-Ann Stewart

In part 1, we examined what the state of flow is and how it’s beneficial to your life. The more often you enter the flow state, the more you train your brain to enter it at will. This means that you’ll be able to induce it when you need to work on a project, or complete a task. It also means that your days will have less stress, even if there are setbacks. The Universe has more access to guide and inspire you.

Here are 9 ways to build focus and train yourself to get into the state of flow:

  1. Crafting or hobbies. Knitting, jewelry making, woodworking, or any craft or hobby will allow you to slip into the state of flow.
  2. Meditation. This practice strengthens the ability to focus, and promotes a sense of calm.  
  3. Affirmations or self-talk. By giving yourself positive reinforcement, you’re able to reduce anxiety and promote motivation.
  4. Relaxation practice. When you relax your body, your mind lets go as well, which allows it to enter the state of flow.
  5. Visualization. Imagining each part of your day going smoothly gives your subconscious mind the direction to begin to work out solutions to problems ahead of time.
  6. Mindfulness. Objectively paying attention to your breathing, scanning your body, being aware of your thoughts and emotions, and not judging them, helps you to be in the moment.
  7. Music. Listening to music, without words, engages the part of your mind that opens to flow.
  8. Reading. Just 10 minutes of reading can lower your heart rate, stress and boost relaxation.
  9. Exercise. A work out, even just walking, releases brain chemicals that counter depression and boosts mood.

Focus, and the state of flow, changes the brain, creating new pathways that improve your attitude and resilience. The more at ease and peaceful you are, the easier it is for you to handle bumps in life. As you enjoy the state of flow more, your life can also flow more smoothly. You’ll be more in tune with Universal Good. Just as water flows around obstacles and rocks, so will you.

Affirmation:

I dedicate myself to practicing the state of flow. Each time I slip into the state of focused awareness, I’m training myself to repeat it whenever I want. When I experience this state more often, my life flows more smoothly. I have all that I need to successfully handle any situation or circumstance that arises. I am more easily guided and directed by Universal Mind.

As a focus mentor, hypnotherapist, and writer, Linda-Ann Stewart motivates women entrepreneurs and small business owners to focus and transform their business through deliberate actions that break through distraction and overwhelm to greater success, wellbeing and prosperity.To boost productivity and reduce overwhelm, register for her FREE guide, Design Your Best Day, at https://www.Linda-AnnStewart.com/guide.html

Get Focused and into the State of Flow, Part 1

Get Focused and into the State of Flow, Part 1

by Linda-Ann Stewart

As a nature photographer, when I compose a photograph, I’m so focused that I’m immune to cold or heat. The same absorption is true when I’m weaving. When I enjoy these hobbies, my mind gets totally involved with them. Time ceases to have meaning and hours can fly by without my noticing. This is called the flow state or, in sports, the zone.

What Is the Flow State?

When the brain is in a flow state you’re intensely focused and only aware of the present moment and activity. It feels almost trance-like and is quite peaceful. In this state, you have a clearer channel to the Universe and are more open to Its good. This generally happens when you’re doing something where you feel interested, and engaged. It’s best if the activity isn’t so challenging that it frustrates or disheartens you.

Although, there have been times when I was struggling with a weaving issue (a pattern wasn’t working), I was still completely enthralled and time got away from me. After a few periods of immersing myself in the issue, I would solve the problem.

However, if the activity is too easy and you’re bored, then your mind starts wandering and you drop out of the flow. This is when you start impeding the stream of Universal good. If you’re working on anything that needs attention, you often start making mistakes and having difficulties. So getting in the state of flow is the sweet spot for a more peaceful and harmonious life.

Why the Flow State Is Beneficial

The benefit to being focused and in the flow is that your productivity, performance, creativity, self-esteem and well being increases, while your stress and anxiety decreases. It even improves your ability to think more positively and be happier. The more often you achieve this sense of focus and flow, the more you build inner resources to handle the challenges of life. These are advantages for work, recreation, and a better quality of life.

Unfortunately, our current habits of being distracted by multitasking, cell phone notifications, and scrolling through social media have undermined our ability to focus and to be in the state of flow. The good news is that you can develop the skill of focus and induce a state of flow that you can then use in all areas of your life.

In Part 2 next month, I’ll share some ways you can cultivate stronger focus and create a sense of flow that you can expand into other areas of your life.

Affirmation:

I’m choosing to be focused and present in my life. I narrow my attention to my current activity and set aside all distractions. This allows me to be calmer, more creative and more productive. As I enter the state of flow, I open a channel to Universal good, which streams through me, to me and into all areas of my life.

As a focus mentor, hypnotherapist, and writer, Linda-Ann Stewart motivates women entrepreneurs and small business owners to focus and transform their business through deliberate actions that break through distraction and overwhelm to greater success, wellbeing and prosperity.To boost productivity and reduce overwhelm, register for her FREE guide, Design Your Best Day, at https://www.Linda-AnnStewart.com/guide.html

Use Your Strategic Vision to Succeed

Use Your Strategic Vision to Succeed

“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” J. F. C. Fuller, Union General and Military Writer (misattributed to Sun Tzu)

When you have a long-term goal or vision, you generally develop a strategy of how you’re going to achieve your aim. This could be a plan of how you want to improve your health or get to the next level in your business or career. Without a strategy, you rely on dealing with whatever challenges crop up on a daily basis. You may have a collection of tactics that have you running in circles. When you have a strategy and tactics which move you forward, then you’ll make progress and reach your goal.

The Difference Between Strategy and Tactics

There has to be a reason for your tactics. Your vision is what you’re working towards and your strategy is your overall plan of how to achieve it. The Law of Attraction is informed by your vision and strategies. This allows the LOA to draw more opportunities and inspiration to you. Tactics are the actions you’ll take to support your strategy. Your actions stimulate the Universe with more energy to use on your behalf. Without direction from a vision or strategy, tactics are just purposeless actions, accomplishing little.

For instance, your vision, or long range goal, might be to improve your health. Your strategies would be the general actions you’d take to achieve it, such as exercise, eating habits, etc. Tactics would be the concrete steps you take to implement your strategy, such as going to a gym several times a weeks, reducing sugar and carbs, and getting better sleep.

Strategy without tactics might eventually get you to your goal, but it would be a slog. Tactics without strategy would result in inconsistency and running in circles. Both are necessary to fulfill your goal or vision.

What Is Your Vision?

  • What goal do you want to achieve? Pick one major goal and focus on it. The clearer the vision, the faster the Universe can respond.
  • What strategies do you intend to use to accomplish your goal? Don’t choose too many or dismiss unusual opportunities that the Universe puts in your path.
  • What reasonable tactics, or steps, can you take regularly? Keep them small and manageable actions. The more dedicated you are, the easier it is to be Divinely Guided.
  • Visualize yourself successfully achieving each step, and reaching your goal. This gives the Law of Attraction direction.

Follow this process, and you’ll set yourself up for success!

Affirmation: As I set my intention and take action towards my vision, the Universe provides me with everything I need. The Divine Right opportunities, people, information or resources come into my life before I require them. I am Divinely Guided and Inspired every step along the way. The Universe wants me to be successful and makes my path easy, smooth and harmonious.

As a focus mentor, hypnotherapist, and writer, Linda-Ann Stewart motivates women entrepreneurs and small business owners to focus and transform their business through deliberate actions that break through distraction and overwhelm to greater success, wellbeing and prosperity.To boost productivity and reduce overwhelm, register for her FREE guide, Design Your Best Day, at https://www.Linda-AnnStewart.com/guide.html

Is It Time to Say “Next?”

Is It Time to Say “Next?”

Sometimes, nothing you do allows you to make progress. It seems like you’re beating your head against a brick wall. In this video, you’ll find a mindset shift, 4 tips of what to do when you’re feeling blocked, and a suggestion of what to do when nothing works. Please watch Is It Time to Say “Next?”

Transcript:

Welcome all. I don’t know about you, but there are times when I’m working on an article and it simply won’t come together. For you, the problem might be a sales prospect you can’t connect with, or you’re trying to lose weight, or you have a difficult relationship. The goal or situation just isn’t working for you, as it is. I’d like to share some tips on what to do when it seems you’re beating your head against a brick wall.

I’m Linda-Ann Stewart, a focus mentor, writer and hypnotherapist. These videos are dedicated to empower you to focus and align your heart with your vision so you can achieve your goals.

The first thing to recognize is that you can’t be successful 100% of the time, whether in sales, habit change, relationships or goals. Hitting a baseball a third of the time is considered good for baseball players. Edison experimented with 100’s of materials for thefilament of the electric bulb before he found one that worked. He said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Every person who has ever attempted anything has failed to begin with.

The reasons may be that you need more preparation or knowledge, it’s not the right person or place for you, you need a new approach or something else. Many times, it’s a numbers game, like with Edison’s filament.

My scientist father told me, “You only fail when quit trying.” Here are some tips for when you’re feeling blocked.

  1. Take a break. Let your subconscious mind mull over the problem.
  2. Take what you can learn from the issue, and try again.
  3. Come at the problem from a different direction.
  4. Dig for more information or learn more skills that might help you.

But there are going to be times when you reach a dead end and nothing works. At that point, it’s time to walk away and choose something else. That’s what I’ll do when I get nowhere with a subject I’m writing about. I let it go and pick another topic. The same can be true of any situation you encounter that’s not resolving.

Just because you abandon a circumstance that’s not working doesn’t mean you failed. It just means that you’ve learned what didn’t work, like Edison.  Maybe it’s time to seek a new path or opportunity. Don’t give up trying. Just change the conditions, change the situation. When all else fails, it may be time to simply say, “next,” and move on to something that does work. Thank you for watching. If you liked this video, please give it a thumbs up. And if you’d like to be notified when I release more videos on mindset, motivation and empowerment, please like my channel and click on the bell. As always, stay focused.

Please read the accompanying article, Is It Time to Move On?

Overcoming Resistance

Overcoming Resistance

When you want to work towards a goal, often you’ll have a resistance to getting started. But to be able to accomplish anything, you have to get past that resistance. Learn some of the reasons for  resistance, and how you can work your way through it. Watch Overcoming Resistance.

Transcript:

Welcome. Today, I’d like to talk a little bit about the resistance you might have with getting started on a goal, and how you can work through it.

Have you ever been sitting on the couch, watching TV, all comfy and cozy? You know you have to get up and do some chores, but you keep putting them off? You don’t want to leave your nice, warm nest. It’s hard to get moving and accomplish anything.

This is the problem when you have a goal, but aren’t taking action towards it. You may have have a resistance to change, want to avoid the effort involved in that change, or fear you’ll fail, or any number of other reasons. All of this factors into a resistance to getting started.

I’m Linda-Ann Stewart, a focus mentor, writer and hypnotherapist. These videos are dedicated to empower you to focus and align your heart with your vision so you can achieve your goals.

Many of my hypnotherapy clients would resist changing their mental or physical habits. They dreaded the struggle, the commitment, the time it would take to create the change. This is natural.

I often experience resistance when I’m starting a project, writing, or even my hobby of weaving. I’m not sure all that it will entail, or what challenges lie ahead. Do you ever feel that way?

To overcome that resistance, what I do is take a step, just to pick at it, devoting a few minutes to whatever I want to work on. Sometimes, I have to pick at it, take a break, then come back to pick at it some more. Generally, after a few sessions of that, a few minutes leads to more time, and I’ll be on the way to getting it done.

When you’re experiencing resistance, first, acknowledge it. When you bring it into conscious awareness, resistance loses much of its energy. And sometimes, the reason you’re resisting becomes  apparent and you can set it aside.

Second, take some small action towards your goal. Fiddle with it, work around the edges, for a few minutes at a time. The point is just to get moving. This builds motivation.

Take a tiny step. Not only does this make you feel better, it makes it easier to chip away at it. Pretty soon, you’ll build up some momentum and get into the swing of what you need to be doing to accomplish your goal.

What small action can you take now that will cause you to chip away at your goal? Use that to build your motivation and momentum. Thank you for watching. If you liked this video, please give it a thumbs up. And if you’d like to be notified when I release more videos on mindset, motivation and empowerment, please like my channel and click on the bell. As always, stay focused.

Read the accompanying article, Moving from Motivation to Momentum.

Overcome the Self-Talk Paradox

Overcome the Self-Talk Paradox

Many people have trouble using positive self-talk or affirmations, because they feel that they’re lying to themselves. They’re missing the point of what self-talk or affirmations seek to accomplish. This is the paradox concerning self-talk. When you state one idea that you immediately deny, you undermine your statement. By understanding the point of self-talk, and a tip to use it more effectively, you can overcome this contradiction, and be successful at transforming your life. Watch Overcome the Self-Talk Paradox.

Transcript:

Welcome. Some people have a problem with using self-talk, as they believe they’re lying to themselves. Do you know what I mean? For them to be able to accept their statement, they think they need to have already achieved the object, or the goal, of their statement. But they’re missing the point of what self-talk seeks to accomplish. This is a sort of imposter syndrome, and I’d like to share a reason causing it, and one way to handle the challenge.

I’m Linda-Ann Stewart, a focus mentor, writer and hypnotherapist. These videos are dedicated to empower you to focus and align your heart with your vision so you can achieve your goals.

The purpose of self-talk is that it is directive. What that means is that it describes something you aspire to, that you want to be, have or achieve in your life. Self-talk gives your conscious, and subconscious mind, guidance as to what you are choosing for yourself. You haven’t gotten there yet, but this is something you are choosing.

If you’ve already accomplished the object of your statement, or your goal, then your self-talk is simply confirming what you presently have in your life, right? Because self-talk is aspirational, therefore you’re aspiring to something. Self-talk isn’t for something you’ve already achieved.

The way to handle the challenge of thinking that you’re lying to yourself, that reaction, is to realize it’s simply your subconscious mind bringing up old programming. Your subconscious is just trying to help you in an outdated way. Thank it for its concern, and then tell it you want it to support you in this new direction. Then repeat your self-talk declaration, with energy and determination. That will imprint your subconscious more powerfully with the transformation you want. With the direction you want to go.

Think about what that direction is, and create a self-talk statement that you can give to yourself consistently and persistently.

Thank you for watching. If you liked this video, please give it a thumbs up. And if you’d like to be notified when I release more videos on mindset, motivation and empowerment, please like my channel and click on the bell. As always, stay focused.

Please read the accompanying article, 4 Steps to Transforming Your Thoughts through Self-Talk.

Visualization to Align Your Self-Image with Your Goal

Visualization to Align Your Self-Image with Your Goal

Your self-image is how you perceive yourself, and affects your mindset and your actions. If your self-image is in conflict with your goal, then you’ll probably sabotage yourself. To achieve your goal, your self-image must be in alignment. Follow this short visualization to shift your self-image to one that embraces and embodies your goal. Watch Visualization to Align Your Self-Image with Your Goal.

Transcript:

Welcome. In this video, I’d like to discuss how your self-image affects whether you achieve your goals or not. And I’ll lead you in a short visualization exercise to help you develop a self-image to support your goal.

I’m Linda-Ann Stewart, a focus mentor, writer and hypnotherapist. These videos are dedicated to empower you to focus and align your heart with your vision so you can achieve your goals.

There’s a difference between self-esteem, which is your respect of yourself, and self-worth, which is how worthy you feel, and self-image, which is how you view, or perceive, yourself. These are small distinctions but they are different.

Your self-image is always consistent with your actions and attitudes, towards yourself, others and your goal. If your self-image is in conflict with your goal, you’ll unconsciously sabotage yourself.

For instance, most lottery jackpot winners lose most or all of their money in short order because they don’t have a self-image that  supports their new found wealth.  

Fortunately, your self-image can be changed. To align your self-image and your goal, assess where they are in relationship with each other.

For instance, does your self-image support your goal? In other words, are you comfortable living with and experiencing the life your goal would bring you?

If not, close your eyes, and I’ll lead you through this short visualization. Ask yourself these questions and imagine the following:

  • Consider, what beliefs and attitudes would you have with your goal fulfilled? What would those beliefs be? What things would you be telling yourself? Imagine having the beliefs that support your goal. Imagine how that feels.
  • How would you think and act with your goal a reality in your life? What would change? Are you comfortable with those changes? Imagine a self-image that embraces and embodies your goal. Imagine that you feel safe and happy having achieved  your goal.

Open your eyes. Use the ideas in this visualization daily to shift your self-image to one that aligns with and promotes your goal. It won’t happen overnight, but practicing this consistently will change your mindset to one that will put you on the path to success.   Thank you for watching. If you liked this video, please give it a thumbs up. And if you’d like to be notified when I release more videos on mindset, motivation and empowerment, please like my channel and click on the bell. As always, stay focused.

Read the accompanying article, 3 Powerful Ingredients for Success.

Use Your Won’t Power to Strengthen Your Willpower

Use Your Won’t Power to Strengthen Your Willpower

by Linda_Ann Stewart

Transcript:

Welcome. In this video, I want to share a way that will help strengthen your ability to use your willpower to stay on course to your goals. My mother used to say that a major component of willpower was won’t power. Won’t power is choosing to avoid one thing, and instead do something else. When I facilitated tobacco cessation classes, as well as in my hypnotherapy practice, I found this to be very true.

I’m Linda-Ann Stewart, a focus mentor, writer and hypnotherapist. These videos are dedicated to empower you to focus and align your heart with your vision so you can achieve your goals.

In my tobacco cessation classes, the group would discuss various tips, tactics and techniques to quit smoking and abstain from cigarettes. There was no one idea that worked for everyone, so the individuals would find one, or more, that would work for them.

Many of them discovered that telling themselves that “smoking is not an option,” when they were tempted, worked well to stop them from lighting one up. And then they could transition to one of the other tactics to keep them on track. But their won’t power of “not an option” was first. It cemented their commitment and motivation to quit smoking.

Won’t power can reinforce your willpower. Once you have decided what you “won’t” do, the decision is made. There is no second guessing of it. It helps to eliminate the temptation before you shift to what it is you do choose to do. It can make it easier to stay on course to your goal.

How could you use it in your personal and professional lives? Wherever you know you’ll encounter temptations, you can decide they aren’t “an option,” at least for a certain amount of time.

For instance, in your work, we know that distractions and multitasking are time sinks, right? So you could decide that you check your email only three specific times a day, or never before 10am. Checking at any other time, “isn’t an option.”

Or, during your focused work periods, you won’t answer the phone or check into social media. It just isn’t an option when you have set aside time to work on a project or make follow up contacts.

In your personal life, let’s say you want to reduce weight, the donuts in the break room are off your menu. They just “aren’t an option.” To be more present with your family at dinner, answering your phone then is “off the table.”

Think about your goals, and what might trigger you to detour from them. Where or when might you be tempted. Then decide what “isn’t an option” for you, so that you remain on track. And then choose what you do want, and how you want to proceed to your goal. What positive actions do you want to take to support your goal? Use your won’t power to reinforce your willpower and you’ll find it a lot easier to achieve your dreams.

Thank you for watching. If you liked this video, please give it a thumbs up. And if you’d like to be notified when I release more videos on mindset, motivation and empowerment, please like my channel and click on the bell. As always, stay focused.

Read the accompanying article, 3 Powerful Ingredients for Success.