Browsed by
Tag: personal development

For Success, Seek Well-being First

For Success, Seek Well-being First

by Linda-Ann Stewart

Many people chase after the elusive dream of success, thinking it will bring them happiness. They work harder and harder, but continue to feel unsatisfied. They achieve periodic goals or milestones, and get transitory elation from them, but that jubilation doesn’t last. What if they have it backwards? What if a sense of well-being leads to success, rather than the other way around?

We all know successful people who are driven and unhappy. So, it’s true that some people are successful even though they’re miserable. However, they’re using work as a drug to avoid their distress. They’re trying to fill a deep well of insecurity and inadequacy with power and control. But they’ll never have enough success to feel happy or complete.

Why Well-being Matters

Studies show that people who have a sense of well-being and optimism have a likelier chance of achieving the success they seek. They also have a greater sense of satisfaction in their lives, both personally and professionally. They’re more productive, creative and resilient in life. Since that’s the case, wouldn’t it be a better idea to seek well-being before success?

Your brain and subconscious can be altered by your focus. When you take positive actions, you rewire the brain and build more resources for the subconscious mind to use to help you. You can improve your happiness and well-being with some simple exercises to change the way you think.

How to Cultivate a Sense of Well-being

You can train your mind with the habit of being more positive and peaceful. Here are four ways to cultivate a sense of well-being and create more satisfaction in your life.  

Be kind to others. Volunteering and helping others engenders well-being and improves productivity.  Even just smiling at others increases your happiness. Recently, a couple of my friends have been sending cards to their acquaintances and they feel uplifted by doing so. I’ve been one of their recipients and it’s uplifted me as well. For this kind of boost, you can also send an email that acknowledges or compliments a friend or coworker.

Be mindful. For only a couple of minutes a day, just be present with yourself. Notice how you feel, mentally and physically. Become aware of your thoughts and feelings. Scan your body to notice where it might be tense, and then relax that area. Because I spend so much time on the computer, I will periodically close my eyes and relax various areas of my body. What impacts the mind, impacts the body and vice versa. When your mind is tense, so is your body. And when your body is relaxed, your mind is at peace.

Do deep breathing. A couple of minutes every day do some deep breathing. Breathe in for a count of four, breath out for a count of eight. This signals your nervous system to calm down. After stressful experiences, practicing this activity has quickly lowered my blood pressure to almost normal. This is a good exercise when you feel pressured with a deadline or decision. You’ll be more effective coming from a peaceful frame of mind.

Keep a gratitude journal. Every day, write down three things you’re grateful for. This exercise makes you notice positive things around you. One day last month, a heavy rainstorm came and passed while I was in the grocery store. It seems like a small thing, but I was grateful that my timing was such that I didn’t get wet. Studies show that within three weeks of daily gratitude practice, you’ll be more optimistic.

You only need to do one of these each day to notice an improved mood and mindset within a few weeks. When you have a sense of well-being and a more positive mindset, your actions have a better outcome. Instead of waiting to be successful to be happy, why not feel better while you’re working towards success?

Affirmation:

The Universe created me to be successful and supports me in my endeavors. There is a Divine plan for my success in life. Everything I need for success is provided. To align myself with the Universe’s plan for me, I cultivate my sense of well-being, happiness and positive attitude.

[suffusion-the-author display=’description’]

Different affirmations at the same time?

Different affirmations at the same time?

Question about affirmations

Question: Can I use affirmations for different issues in the same day?

Answer: I’d suggest that unless the affirmations are for the same issue you not use them the same day. It’s not so much that it would confuse your subconscious as it would overload it if they’re on different issues.

Imagine you’re having to work on several different projects at the same time. You’d feel overwhelmed and wouldn’t get any of them done quickly. It would take much more time to get them all done, taking more time than if you’d done each separately.

I suggest you focus on one issue at a time. If you do want to add another affirmation, making it one for general improvement would be helpful.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Sparks of Insight

Sparks of Insight

Sparks of Insight

“Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember–the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you.”- Zig Ziglar

Sometimes people criticize you simply because they’re envious and that’s the only way they can make themselves feel better. If they put you down, somehow it elevates them and they can feel superior. When this happens, just consider the source and go about your business. It’s not your job to make them feel better. Your job is to fulfill your potential.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Reduce the Overwhelm of Stress

Reduce the Overwhelm of Stress

Stress can build up to overwhelm you, or create worry or anxiety. When you’re in the middle of it, it’s hard to know what to do and which way to turn. Learn a 4-step process to take control of  what’s stressing you and find solutions.

Transcript:

Thank you for joining me. Is stress overwhelming you, or causing you to worry or be anxious? Right now, there’s a lot of reason for this, isn’t there? But what can you do about it? I’m Linda-Ann Stewart of Heartvision Consulting, and I’d like to share a simple tip to help you get a bit of control over what’s causing your stress.

A lot of the overwhelm you’re experiencing is because there’s so much change happening in your life. This happens when you move, change jobs, get married, have a child, or anything else that causes massive adjustment in your life. Right now, the upset is coming from outside forces. But there are still things you can do to manage your stress.

I’d like to share a 4 step process that can help you take control.

1. Make a list of all the things that are stressing you out, no matter how small. Include the items that you want to avoid, because they cause you worry and anxiety, too, don’t they?

When you get them out of your head and onto paper, it helps your mind to process them differently. It’s like you’re emptying out a very full jar of water to create space for something better. When you’re able to see them all, you can get a better perspective.

2. Once you have the list, eliminate the items that aren’t causing you much stress. They’re just the minor details that might annoy you, but you can easily handle. This is a step that helps you to gain better perspective.

3. Next, eliminate the items that you can’t do anything about. This could be things other people are doing, or not doing, or other things you have no control over. They don’t merit your attention, because you can’t impact them right now.

4. What’s left are the big items that are concerning you. Take each one, and ask yourself, “What can I do about this?” There will probably be some small actions you can take with each item. Then start taking some of those actions.  

By taking charge with this list and deciding on some actions to take, even a small ones, you’ve shifted your focus from feeling powerless to seeking possible solutions. Instead of shutting down your creative mind from stress, you’re inviting other options to surface. You created the empty jar. This will free you to start taking actions that will begin to reduce your list, and your stress. Also, when you do, more solutions will start to present themselves.

If you’d to achieve a 90-day goal more easily, download my free comprehensive Strategic Vision guide at www.Linda-AnnStewart.com/setyourcourse.html. You’ll receive the guide, as well as a training video of that walks you through it with tips and directions to support you in accomplishing your goal.

Thank you for watching. I suggest you take the time to create your list, and notice how you’re able to get a handle on your stress. Take care.

Read the accompanying article, 4 Ways to Manage Your Stress.

Sparks of Insight

Sparks of Insight

Sparks of Insight

Not everyone is going to approve of you, your opinions or your decisions. And that’s okay. There’s no way anyone can give you unconditional approval, no matter how much they love you. Remember the old saying, “You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” (Abraham Lincoln) The same is true of approval. The best thing you can do for yourself and everyone else is to live up to your own values and please yourself.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Trending Articles of the Week

Trending Articles of the Week

Stress Makes It Harder to Recognize Danger

New research reveals that stress makes you slower to identify threats. To understand this, it helps to learn more about stress and how it impacts you. Stress disrupts how you think. This article explains how stress affects you and why it’s important to reduce it with common sense practices.

The Essential Resource We’re All Wasting

What you pay attention to creates your life. Your focus is fundamental to your relationships, your personal and professional lives. The good news is that your attention is a resource you can manage with some practice.

How to Stay Positive When Everyone Around You Is Complaining

It can be difficult to remain upbeat when other people around you are upset and dissatisfied. You have to learn how to balance empathy with taking care of yourself. This article gives you some ideas on how to create strategies to deal with the different types of complaining people.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Lessons from Resisting Change

Lessons from Resisting Change

by Linda-Ann Stewart

Resistance to change is a normal part of being human. It’s natural, even if what you’re resisting is the very thing you need to do for your progress, health and happiness. Most people don’t like their status quo disrupted or to be forced out of their comfort zone. But change is the order of the universe, and resisting it just brings frustration and suffering. The Universe is trying to move you forward, while you’re holding yourself back.

There’s a saying that, “What you resist, persists.” This means that the energy that you’re putting into resisting makes the undesired change become stronger. It’s like a tug-o-war. You’re putting all your attention into not being pulled from your spot, which means you aren’t thinking of alternatives. What if you let go of the rope, and started considering how to turn the situation to your advantage? This allows you to get into the flow of the Universe, rather than trying to block it.

Learn from Your Resistance

You resist whenever you procrastinate, use busy work to avoid doing something else, are confused, or refuse to commit to a decision. Generally, resistance is fear based. You’re afraid of the loss, unknown, discomfort, or difficulty that you think change will bring. But when you resist moving forward, you close down opportunities and possibilities. Also, the Law of Attraction can’t be creative and bring you your desires.

There are lessons to be learned from resistance. The way you resist shows how you sabotage yourself and hold yourself back. If you recognize how you do that, you can then address those issues. This allows you to make the transition easier from where you are to where you want to be. It opens the channels for Universal good to flow to you.

Ways You Resist

1. You’re rebelling. When you’re forced to do something you don’t really want to, even if it’s in your best interests, resistance becomes rebellion. You think that rebelling puts you in control, but the opposite is true. If you’re rebelling, you’re handing over control to the opposition.

For instance, many smokers use cigarettes as a way to rebel, and resist quitting for that reason. This is true even when they know smoking is hurting them. One way to turn that attitude around is to rebel against cigarettes, which will turn the negative habit of smoking into a healthy behavior. Using that idea, how could you use your rebellion for your benefit?

2. Most people dislike being told what they “should” do. Or they feel guilty when they don’t live according to what they think they “ought to” do. Generally, instead of being compliant, they avoid those injunctions, even if it’s what they want for themselves.

For instance, you know you “should” exercise for your health. You whip yourself for not doing so, but it’s easier to just sit on the couch. Or you know eating less sugar is better for you, but it’s much more satisfying to indulge. You may feel guilty about your behavior, but you still repeat the negative activity. Instead of “shoulding” on yourself, focus on the benefits you’d receive by taking the action you’ve been ignoring.

3. Denial can be a coping strategy when there’s been a significant loss. It gives you time to absorb and process what’s happened, prior to adjusting to the change. But if you use this strategy in your everyday life, it will sabotage you at every level. You resent what’s necessary, and pretend that it doesn’t matter. But when you ignore a necessary step or action, it blocks what you’re trying to accomplish.

For instance, if you want to lose weight, but reject that you need to eat less. No matter what you do, you’ll not be able to achieve your ideal weight. A business person who thinks they can keep all the details of dozens of orders their orders in their head will have a hard time meeting deadlines and being successful. Before you can move forward, you have to accept reality and what is necessary. Instead of being dismissive, shift your attitude to it being your choice to take your next steps. 

How do you normally resist moving forward? Learn this and it will give you important information so you know when life is pushing you to change and when you’re combating change. When you encounter resistance, dig into your motivation and focus on what you really want. When you shift your attention from resisting change to embracing the benefits it will bring, you’ll be able to adjust your course and make progress.

Affirmation:

The Universe wants the best for me. I’m willing to make whatever changes are necessary to open up to greater joy, health and abundance. I recognize when I’m resisting my good, and choose a better course. I’m Divinely guided to make the wisest decisions for my highest good.

Watch the complementary video, Meditation to Learn from Your Resistance to Change.

[suffusion-the-author display=’description’]

Finding Your Course in Unstable Times

Finding Your Course in Unstable Times

by Linda-Ann Stewart

People are feeling knocked off balance by the Covid-19 situation, the shut-down, economic chaos, and everything else that has happened in the past few months. It’s hard to find direction, focus and to create a plan, when you don’t know what’s going to happen next. It’s like your foundation is gone and you’re walking on shifting sands. Unfortunately, I suspect this is probably going to be the situation for a while.

Upheavals Happen

We get used to life flowing on, smoothly, and think that’s the way it will always be. Often, changes happen only in one or two areas of life at a time. And, generally, there’s a warning and transition from one point to another. But then there are times when there’s a sudden upheaval that rocks every aspect of our lives. Losing a loved one, a natural disaster or man-made catastrophe can alter our entire internal and external landscape. And that’s what we’re dealing with now.

The Universe often uses these situations to knock us out of our comfort zone. We’ve stayed too long on one level of consciousness, or held onto people and conditions that we’ve outgrown. The more we fight moving on, the harder the transition will be for us. The flow of the Universe will shove us until we have to let go and allow it to take us to a greater life.

There are those who are still resisting the reality. As a result, they’ll have a harder time adjusting. Instead of trying to live as if everything will go back to what they’re used to, they could use that energy to plan for a new future. For the rest of us, the idea that we’re living in a new reality has sunk in. But we’re still struggling to adjust to and handle our sudden change of circumstances.

How to Get on Track

There are some strategies you can do that will help you get back on course.

Develop a new vision and plan. What worked a few months ago won’t work now, personally or professionally. We had similar issues after 9/11 and the 2008 recession. Those upheavals changed much of how we did things. This time, instead of face-to-face contact, we’re connecting virtually. In person meetings will return, but not at the level they were before. Virtual meetings for personal and professional interactions are here to stay. How can you incorporate this technology, and other changes, into your strategies?

Be flexible. Your goals may have to be adjusted on the fly. If you try to be too strict with how you achieve goals, you could find yourself missing your target. Conditions may change quickly, and you’ll have to roll with them. Create a plan B and C, just in case you have to alter course in an instant.  What kind of contingency plans can you develop to deal with your circumstances?

Learn to live with uncertainty. It’s hard to get comfortable with this idea, because we want to be in control. It’s normal to want stability and security.  But for a while, the conditions we’ve always depended on are going to be fluctuating. Letting go of the need for control will give you more freedom and ability to adapt. How can you open your mind to today’s available possibilities and opportunities?

Difficult times come and go, but with flexibility, you will survive. Although expansion may be on hold for now, this is when you need position yourself for future growth. As the months progress, you’re going to be acquiring new skills, abilities, and resources. They will serve you well in the future.

Affirmation:

Life is constantly changing. I now align myself with the flow of the Universe and accept that change is happening. I adjust to the shift that’s taking place, and find ways to thrive through it. Something wonderful for me emerges from this situation.

Watch the complementary video Finding Focus in Unsettled Times.

[suffusion-the-author display=’description’]

Book Review-Activate Your Brain

Book Review-Activate Your Brain

Activate Your Brain by Scott G. Halford

You already have the best tool within you to achieve your goals. It’s your brain. It’s wired to help you succeed, but you have to know how to use it. When you learn how to activate it properly, not only will you be more successful, but you’ll feel less stressed and more in control.

By understanding the neurochemistry of your brain, you’ll discover how to motivate yourself and stay focused. This book is fill with exercises to lead you step-by-step to get started on a new pathway to getting the life you want. In addition, you’ll learn how to adjust your moods and become more positive.

This book is a delightful, easy to read manual to help you take small, steady steps to change your behavior and improve your results. The author’s mantra throughout the book is “start small, start now.” All those tiny steps will propel you to wonderful shifts in your life. Although the book is directed towards businesspeople, it can help anyone who wants to maximize their potential.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

Meditation to Learn from Your Resistance to Change

Meditation to Learn from Your Resistance to Change

Resistance to moving forward is part of the human condition. Any goal worth having is going to stir up a reluctance to change. But resistance can teach you a lot, about why you’re reluctant and what you need to do to take action. Use the questions in this meditation to uncover what’s behind your resistance and what you can do to overcome it.

Transcript:

Thank you for joining me. Are you resisting taking an action or decision that you know would allow you to reach your goal? If so, welcome to the human race. Whenever you want to make a significant change in your life, you’re going to meet with some inner resistance to moving forward, right? Sometimes, there’s a good reason for the resistance, like you don’t have everything you need yet. Other times, it’s just a fear of change or fear of failure.

I’m Linda-Ann Stewart, a vision strategist, and I’ve worked with hundreds of clients over the years to overcome their resistance to achieving their goals. Resistance has a lot to teach you, but you have to be willing to listen to what it’s trying to tell you. Asking the right questions is a way to discover what’s holding you back and how you can move forward.

So I’d like to lead you through a very short meditation to help you ask some of those questions and gain answers to help you.

If you’re okay doing so, close your eyes. If not, just get comfortable.

Imagine some area where you’re resisting change. It could be personal, like changing a habit or dealing with an ongoing issue, or it could be professional, like opening up to a new opportunity. Just choose one place where you’re resisting. Examine the issue and how you feel about it.

Now, we’re going to ask some questions. Don’t worry if you don’t get any immediate answers. Those answers may come in a few minutes or hours, when you’re doing something else entirely. Right now, it’s just important to ask the questions, and listen.

What exactly are you resisting?

Why are you resisting moving forward? Is it fear, or some other emotion? Do you need some other piece to be in place? Why are you resisting moving forward?

What would happen if you didn’t resist? If you just let go and moved forward? How would that affect your life?

What are you trying to preserve/hang onto by resisting? Is it worth it?

What are you giving up by deciding to move forward? Is it something you still want, or have you outgrown it?

What might you receive from moving forward? Is it better than what you have now?

How can you make this change less threatening? How can you let go of your resistance and make it easier to move forward?

The answers to these questions may not come right away. The answers may surface over the hours to come. Just keep your mind open to recognize the answers, and know that you can choose to act on them or not. Open your eyes.

Like I said, it doesn’t matter if you got any answers right away. The important thing is to ask and be open to the information. Your subconscious will deliver what you can accept and work with, maybe today, tonight, or tomorrow. You can take what your subconscious tells you and make decisions that are best for you.

If you’d to achieve a 90-day goal more easily, download my free comprehensive Strategic Vision blueprint at www.Linda-AnnStewart.com/setyourcourse.html. You’ll receive the blueprint, as well as a video of that walks you through it with tips and directions to support you in you in accomplishing your goal.

Thank you for watching. I hope that the answers you get are valuable and help you resolve any resistance you might be encountering with your goal. Take care.

Read the accompanying article, Lessons from Resisting Change.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart