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Be Authentic by Walking Your Talk

Be Authentic by Walking Your Talk

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by Linda-Ann Stewart

woman's shoes walking away

Several years ago, an acquaintance told me she’d just been to a conference with many spiritual and personal development speakers. At the reception, she was especially delighted to meet one of her idols. His core message was to be present with the person you were with and to make that person feel important.

He greeted her by looking into her eyes and saying, “You’re very important to me.” But as she spoke to him, his eyes wandered the room, and a few moments later he excused himself. He walked over to greet someone else with the same phrase. She was completely disenchanted by his hypocrisy. He didn’t walk his talk, and lost a devoted follower.

What Authenticity Is and What It Isn’t

When a person’s actions don’t align with what they claim is important to them, this causes others to distrust them. This is true in personal and professional relationships. People are attracted to those who are authentic. Authenticity consists of being sincere, genuine, and living according to your values.

However, if you’re having a bad day or are in a difficult mood, authenticity doesn’t require you to share it with your boss, your customer, or the grocery clerk. That would be counterproductive. It could overwhelm them or cause them to feel uncomfortable. Those in your outer circle crave consistency, reliability and professionalism.

Being True to Yourself

Being connected to your principles allows you to decide how to be present with the different people and situations in your life. When you’re authentic, it denotes that you’re being true to yourself and what you believe in. It increases your credibility to others. In personal relationships, after you’ve built a foundation of trust, it’s appropriate to be vulnerable and reveal more of yourself.

When your words and deeds match, and you follow through on promises and intentions, you establish your integrity. This gives people the message that it’s safe to depend on you. As you walk your talk, you fit your actions to your words. As a result, it instills in you a deep sense of confidence, self-esteem, happiness and inner peace. What values are most important to you and how can you best honor them?

Affirmation:

When I am authentic, then I am being a clear channel for the Universe to flow through me. I choose to live according to my deepest values. By aligning my words and my deeds, I build trust. As I follow through on my promises and intentions, I establish integrity. By being true to myself, I am true to others, as well.

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

How to Defuse Negative Self-Talk

How to Defuse Negative Self-Talk

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We all experience negative self-talk from time to time. That criticizing, judging inner voice that tears you down, and undermines your confidence and abilities. In this video, I share a mindset shift to help you defuse that self-sabotaging habit and train your mind to support you. Watch How to Defuse Negative Self-Talk.

Transcript:

Welcome to my channel. Do you ever experience negative self-talk? You know what it sounds like, right? Things like, “I’m can’t do anything right,” “I’m not enough,” “I don’t have what it takes.”

We all attack ourselves with statements like this at some time or other. Not only are they not helpful, but they make your life more difficult, don’t they? In this video, I’d like to share a short mindset shift to help you defuse negative inner dialogue that might be undermining you.

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.

Negative self-talk sabotages you by discouraging you from trying something new, or from working to overcome obstacles. But those self-judgements and self-criticisms are simply opinions. They’re not facts. They come from the past, or from others who passed them onto you. Those negative statements are simply someone’s perspective, filtered through their ideas, beliefs and attitudes.

You may think that the statements might have been proven right, but that’s because you’ve trained your brain to make them right. Or make you think they’re correct. When you make unhelpful sweeping claims like this, they become a self-fulfilling prophecy. They’re not facts. They’re opinions that you’ve trained your mind to confirm for you.

When one of these statements makes its way into your awareness, realize it’s simply an opinion. Listen to it objectively. Can you learn anything from it? If not, dismiss it as a figment from the past that no longer has any validity. And replace it with a statement that is much more constructive and uplifting.

The more you substitute positive statements for negative ones, the more you’re training your brain to support your endeavors, so you can reach your highest potential.

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, The Transformative Power of Self-Talk.

The Transformative Power of Self-Talk

The Transformative Power of Self-Talk

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“We are what we think about all day long.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“We are what we think about all day long.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

You have, at your disposal, a very powerful tool that can reshape your brain and your mind, thereby transforming your life. You use it every day, consciously or unconsciously. Whether you call the process self-talk, affirmations or auto-suggestion, the results are the same. The thoughts and statements you repeat wire your brain and create your experience. 

Your Statements Change Your Brain

If your thoughts are generally positive, your brain builds neurons in areas of the brain that support motivation, constructive behaviors, and increased self-worth. However if you’re more pessimistic, the areas in your brain form more connections for anxiety, depression and self-doubt.

Your internal dialogue directs your attention, whether you habitually criticize, or deliberately boost your confidence. Your mind doesn’t distinguish or care if you use positive or negative statements. It creates the pathways you instruct it to. And those pathways then affect your thoughts, moods, actions and behaviors.

When you do something that falls short of your expectations, do you say, “I can’t to do anything right?” Or do you say, “Ok, I learned something and I’ll do better next time?” The way you talk to yourself affects how you behave. The first statement wires your brain to discourage you from trying again. The second wires you for creativity and to problem solve.

You Can Train Your Brain How to Think

You can intentionally train your mind how to think. I don’t mean tell yourself that, “I’m the greatest pianist of all time.” Your conscious mind would instantly deny that, and erase the effectiveness of the phrase. In this case, repeat something like, “My skills and abilities are improving every time I practice.”

When you choose the positive idea you want your brain to accept, make it one that is under your control and that’s believable. Repeat it over and over, out loud, flooding your brain with the statement. You need to pay attention to what you’re telling yourself so you build neurons that support your intention. By feeding your mind new, more positive statements, you’ll create new pathways in your brain that support optimism and empower your highest potential.

Affirmation:

I know the Universe wants to give me all the good I choose. I simply need to align my mind to receive that good. I am now choosing a greater good for myself and changing my brain and subconscious mind to accept it. I feed my mind with positive ideas that support healthy, happiness, and harmony. The more I focus on my good, the more good I experience.

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

Guided Meditation to Align Your Heart with Your Vision

Guided Meditation to Align Your Heart with Your Vision

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When your will, or what you consciously want, conflicts with your imagination, or what your subconscious is comfortable with, your imagination wins. But you can guide your imagination, and gently direct it to accept something better. This video leads you through a short guided meditation using a time-tested technique to dissolve internal resistance and gain the cooperation of your subconscious mind. Watch Guided Meditation to Align Your Heart with Your Vision.

Transcript:

Welcome to this month’s mindset tip. Did you know that when the vision for your goal and your heart are in conflict, your heart will prevail? In other words, when it’s your will versus your imagination, your imagination will win? This is the Law of Reversed Effect, an idea that psychologist Emile Coue originated.

But there is a way to direct the imagination, so that it more aligns with your will or goal. And that’s either through visualization or phrases that gently guide your subconscious mind, or imagination or heart, in the way you want.

I’d like to guide you through a very effective technique to help you bring your heart and vision into alignment. This will be by using relaxation and auto-suggestion, or affirmation or self-talk.

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.

As a hypnotherapist, I’ve led hundreds of people through this kind of process. It’s very effective and one you can do for yourself. This is only to give you the idea of how it can work for you.

If you choose, close your eyes.

Take 3 deep breaths, relaxing more with each one.

3, 2, 1.

Now, repeat your auto-suggestion or affirmation or self-talk phrase to yourself. Repeat it slowly, with feeling. It could be something like, “Every day, in every respect, I’m getting better and better.” Or, “Every day, in every way, my mind, body and affairs are becoming happier, healthier and more abundant.” Or, “I expect and accept that everything works out in my favor.” Or some other positive and constructive phrase that appeals to you. Let it sink in and integrate into your mind.

Open your eyes.

Now let it go. Your subconscious mind will do the rest. The more you repeat your phrase, in a relaxed state, the more your heart and vision will begin to align. This is a technique you can use for yourself every day, and even several times a day. For one thing, it’ll reduce stress, and who doesn’t want that?

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 2.

Surmount the Law of Reverse Effect

Surmount the Law of Reverse Effect

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.

Rewrite the Stories Holding You Back

Rewrite the Stories Holding You Back

As children, we often believe false ideas about ourselves that adults told us. These ideas become beliefs, and we act on them as if they were true, even though they weren’t. You can begin to rewrite those old stories, using the simple exercise in this video. Watch Rewrite the Stories Holding You Back.

Transcript:

Thank you for joining me for mindset tips.

Did you know that, as children, we believe stories about ourselves, and then act on them as if they’re true? A budding artist gets told by a teacher that she has no talent, so she abandons her passion. An elementary school teacher can’t explain math, then blames her students for being dumb when they don’t understand. In the years following, the students under perform in that subject. A frustrated parent lashes out and tells a child that they’ll never amount to anything. And the child grows up to sabotage themselves just before they’re about to succeed.

All of these opinions are demonstrably false, but the children who received them accepted the ideas were true. Then those children grew up acting on the lies, and those falsehoods became self-fulfilling prophecies. Do you carry any such stories that you believed that then became true for you?

Judgements that you’ve accepted about yourself were programmed into you earlier in life. Just because you believe them doesn’t make them accurate. I’d like to share a short, mindset exercise to help you begin to erase those lies and rewrite your story about yourself.

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 exercise. Divide a piece of paper into two columns. In the first column, write down something you’ve been believing, some judgement, some idea from childhood that’s been holding you back. Something like, “I’m not good enough.”

Beside it, in the second column, write, “That’s a lie” or “That’s a falsehood” or any other phrase that denies its validity.

Below, in the first column again, write the opposite of that false belief, such as, “I am enough.” Include comments from friends, co-workers, or even superiors that support your new idea about yourself.

Include any objective measurement that confirms this new belief. Then, in the second column, write, “This is the truth,” or “This is the fact,” or anything else that confirms it for you.

It may take some time, but this exercise will help you deconstruct childhood programming, and recognize and accept what is true about you. Keep repeating the new idea to yourself. As you do, you’ll begin acting on your new belief, which will change the course of your life for the better.

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, What Stories Are You Telling Yourself That Are Holding You Back?

What Stories Are You Telling Yourself That Are Holding You Back?

What Stories Are You Telling Yourself That Are Holding You Back?

by Linda-Ann Stewart

When Tammy was very young, her mother had a good friend with several children Tammy’s age and younger. When the lady would come to visit, her brood would come with her. They’d bully Tammy, play with her toys, destroy them and steal from her. When Tammy objected, the lady said that she had no right to complain, because Tammy had advantages that her children didn’t have.

This idea was reinforced several times during Tammy’s childhood. If Tammy excelled, there was often a teacher or adult who told her that she was making others, who hadn’t done as well, feel bad. As a result, the story she told herself was that if she made herself small and invisible, others would feel better.

Did it work? No. They never felt better. Tammy has worked her entire life to overcome the story that her achievements harmed others. That story derailed her in many areas of her life.

What Are Your False Stories?

Unfortunately, many times, opinions that we received from adults when we’re kids build into self-sabotaging beliefs. What false stories are you telling yourself that are holding you back? They may be ideas that an adult or friend told you when you were a child.

The ideas may not have been malicious, but simply to deal with an unfortunate or uncomfortable situation for them. And although you were never meant to take those ideas to heart, they might have impressed you deeply. Then, you created a whole false impression about yourself based on them.

Think about some of the beliefs you hold about yourself and your world that have been undermining you. Ask yourself:

  • “Where does that belief come from?”
  • “What was the intention of the person who gave it to me?”
  • “Is it actually true?”
  • “Does that belief serve a purpose now?” 
  • “If so, what?”
  • “What can I do to change it?”

Update Your Stories

When Tammy finally realized how those adults had impacted her, one way she began to dismantle the story was to ask herself, “What kind of adult says those things to a child?” That helped her realize that the adults were being unreasonable and cruel to her. The adults were trying to protect their kids, or other children, at her expense.

When you’re able to realize your self-sabotaging beliefs were often based on someone else’s frustration,  inadequacy, or convenience, you can begin to deconstruct them. They don’t benefit you now, or reflect who you are. It’s time to dispose of them, and begin creating stories that reflect who you truly are. Develop beliefs and stories about yourself based on reality, your strengths, values and abilities, and that support your goals and aspirations.

Affirmation:

I deserve to be myself. I give myself permission let go of old, false and outdated ideas that I once accepted about myself. They never reflected who I was. The Universe loves and approves of me as I am. I now accept myself, right here and right now, knowing that who I am is enough. It is safe for me to be true to myself.

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

Break the Habit of Complaining

Break the Habit of Complaining

Did you know that the average person, in general, complains 15-30 times, or about 8 minutes, a day? Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to fall into a habit of complaining without even realizing it. And it can be a difficult habit to break. Discover a mindfulness tip that can help you, and shift your mindset to be more positive. Watch Break the Habit of Complaining.

Transcript:

Welcome to mindset tips.

Did you know that the average person, in general, complains 15-30 times, or about 8 minutes, a day? From what I hear around me, I’d bet it’s a lot more than that. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to fall into a habit of complaining without even realizing it. Have you ever noticed that? And it can be a difficult habit to break. I’d like to share a mindfulness tip that can help you break the habit, and shift your mindset to be more positive.

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.

This is a tip that has been used for decades, in one way or another, and it’s very simple. Mainly, it’s to make you aware of when you complain, which means you can then decide whether you want to continue or not. When a habit is brought out of the shadows and into the light, it can be changed. This empowers you and shifts your attention from being negative, to giving you the choice of being more positive.

The technique is to get a rubber band or bracelet and wear it every day. Any kind of bracelet, [Bands, elastic, sparkly, fabric, stones]…. Then, every time you complain, you switch the band or bracelet to the other wrist. No, you don’t snap it. … Just switch it from one wrist to the other. This allows you to turn the page….With practice, it can automatically create a mind shift to a more positive thought process.

You’re bringing the habit out of an unconscious behavior into being aware of it. You may discover that many of the things you grumble about are trivial, and you’re letting them pull you down. Some things may be out of your control, and complaining doesn’t help. Either way, the point is to notice when you’re complaining, and what about, and choose what to do from that point.

Since complaining compounds stress and stifles creativity, you may decide to simply refrain from contributing to the negativity. Shift your attention to what you can control and what you can do about the situation. This is more productive and will bring you greater rewards mentally, physically and in your personal and professional life.

If you’d like to break the habit, find a band or bracelet and start practicing.

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,  Complaining Trains You to Be Negative, Part 2.

Focusing Beyond The Problem

Focusing Beyond The Problem

by Linda-Ann Stewart

There’s a secret to a martial artist breaking a board, brick or any other solid object with his hand (or foot or head). He aims his force, not on the target, but a foot beyond it. If he focused his energy on the surface of the board, the object would abruptly and painfully stop his hand. Instead, he imagines his hand going through the wood to the space behind it, where he wants the energy to dissipate.

The same thing is true when we have a problem we’re trying to solve or eliminate from our lives. If we focus on the challenge, we’re concentrating on the surface issue, and our subconscious simply creates more of it. The solution can’t appear as long as the condition fills our consciousness. When we affirm about a solution appearing, but feel frustrated, upset or concerned about the situation, or think about the problem in any way, then our belief in the challenge stops any resolution from manifesting. Just like the board stopping the martial artist’s hand. We’re focused on the surface and not seeing through it to the possibility of a solution.

There’s Always an Answer

In every problem, there is always an answer available. When we’re affirming things to change, however, we may be trying to control how the situation resolves. We may not like the remedy the Universe has for us. Instead of a troublesome coworker changing their attitude, we may have to change jobs. Or we may have to alter our attitude to be more tolerant. Other priorities may make what we believe to be our answer obsolete. We may want more abundance, and try to increase our income at our present job, only to find that we’re unexpectedly moving to another location.

If we’re still stuck in the problem, one of the best ways to get a way to appear is to do what Emmet Fox called “The Golden Key.” Remember that God, and all Its goodness, is always at the center of every situation, no matter how negative. Turn the attention from the problem to the Universe and all of Its qualities. Meditate on and affirm harmony, abundance, joy, health, etc. in all areas of life. Remember that God is everywhere present, knowing and seeing all, has infinite power and authority, is perfect action and divine order.

Change Your Perspective

These are the ideas we want to fill our minds with when we feel blocked. In so doing, we’re getting our limited perception of the situation out of the way. We’re taking our attention from the problem to the perspective of the Universe, where the difficulty doesn’t exist. This begins to uplift our consciousness to allow more creative solutions to flow.

Frederick Bailes says in “Hidden Power for Human Problems” that we “…need to be well schooled in the art of looking through the frightening condition rather than at it.” Just like the martial artist aims his energy beyond the board, we need to focus our attention past the problem to the potential of a solution. Only in this way will we be able to break through our blocks and challenges and experience a greater and better life.

Affirmation:

I am one with the Universal Spirit, which is God. All the good of God flows in and through me and my affairs. I know that there is a perfect answer for my situation. God and all Its goodness is everywhere present, including the center of the challenge. I am open to whatever solution is for my Highest and Best good, no matter what changes it might require.

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

Complaining Trains You to Be Negative, Part 2

Complaining Trains You to Be Negative, Part 2

by Linda-Ann Stewart

cup says 'choose happy'

In part 1, you learned that complaining harms your brain and body, but you can undo the damage. By taking control of your thoughts and refocusing, you can reprogram your subconscious to be more positive. You free up mental circuits to be more creative and seek solutions.

Reverse the Tendency to Complain

Within a few weeks of not complaining, you’ll notice a difference. You’ll have a more positive outlook, and have grown new neurons that support calm and peace of mind.  The Law of Attraction will respond by bringing you the dominant ideas you’re now focusing on.  

Here are some ways that will help you refrain from complaining and build a stronger, healthier, mindset.

  • As soon as there’s a problem, acknowledge it and how you feel about it. Then, deliberately choose to look for a solution. You may not find one immediately, but your subconscious doesn’t like to leave a question unanswered. It will continue to work on it until it finds an answer. 
  • If a solution doesn’t come quickly, move on to ask yourself, “What can I do to change my perspective on the situation?” It’s said that “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” Changing your viewpoint opens you up to ideas and opportunities that would have been invisible to you otherwise.
  • You could ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” As an alternative, you could even ask your subconscious to find some good to come from the situation. Your subconscious is a problem solver, and will seek ways to make lemons into lemonade. Leave it up to the Universe to find the good. This has always been my favorite response for any difficult situation. It’s amazing how effective this tactic has been.

Being mindful takes more effort, but can reverse the tendency to complain and the damage it causes. You’ll build stronger mental connections to be positive, and this ultimately brings you a healthier, happier, more successful, life.

Affirmation:

Whenever I have a problem, I focus on finding a solution. The Universe inspires me with ideas of what I can do to resolve the situation. I keep my mind open to unexpected opportunities as I step back to be objective. I don’t know how, but the Universe finds a way for something good to come to me as a result of this situation.

Watch the accompanying video, Break the Habit of Complaining.

Read Complaining Trains You to Be Negative, Part 1.

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