personal development – Page 27 – Empowering Your Mind

Book Review-How to Be Your Own Best Friend

April 3, 2019 Linda-Ann Stewart

How to Be Your Own Best Friend
by Mildred Newman and Bernard Berkowitz

This book was originally published over forty-five years ago. Although it has been around a long time, the information and advice in it is as fresh and helpful as it was back then. Written in a question-and-answer format, the two psychoanalysts (who are married to each other) explain what is necessary for us to love and accept ourselves.

I read this book in my early twenties, and it improved the way I thought about myself and my world. We tend to be a friend to everyone but ourselves. Instead, we treat ourselves as we might an enemy. The authors explain the ideas we need to entertain to be happier and healthier human beings. For when we treat ourselves with the same appreciation, empathy and compassion that we give to our friends, our lives transform.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

4 Reasons Why You Don’t Pursue Your Dream (and What to Do About Them)

March 7, 2019 Linda-Ann Stewart

by Linda-Ann Stewart

Rhoda had always wanted to go to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower, the art in the Louvre and the palaces. It was one of the major things on her bucket list. However, she never took any steps to make it come true and it was a longing that she never satisfied. She was content for it to remain a dream and it unfortunately remained an unrealized goal.

Do you have an important dream that you want to achieve? It could be to quit smoking, lose weight, learn to play the guitar, run a 10K, or build a business. Daydreaming about it and not taking any action won’t bring it into reality. Fantasizing may be fulfilling in the moment, but it will leave you feeling empty when it isn’t achieved. Unless you take action, you won’t trigger the Law of Attraction to work on your behalf.

There are many reasons why you may procrastinate and not pursue your dreams. Here are some of the main ones, and what you can do about them.

1. Your dream takes you out of your comfort zone. Your goal means that so much in your life would change that you’re afraid to get started. If you make these massive shifts too quickly, it would upset your world and you’d probably sabotage your own efforts. For instance, almost 70% of lottery winners go broke within a few years of winning. The windfall takes them too far out of what they’re used to.

To overcome this obstacle, establish a long range plan. Create steps that are comfortable for you to take. For instance, if you want to start eating better, don’t overhaul your diet in a week. Start by including more salads. When that gets familiar, eliminate sugar. Work on one piece at a time until you feel comfortable with it, and then add the next step. By taking action, you instruct the Law of Attraction to draw information and opportunities to you.

2. You’re stuck in planning mode. Planning feels like you’re making progress, but it simply delays taking action. I knew an artist who bought brushes, canvas, and paints, but never used them. Gathering the tools triggered the pleasure circuits in her brain. By not painting, she avoided the anxiety of facing a blank canvas. So she got her reward by simply thinking about what she’d do one day.

Preparation is an important part of any goal. But beware of staying in this place too long or you’ll never realize your dream. Pull together a list of things you need, such as tools, knowledge, skills and tasks to complete. Then begin to follow through on them. As you mark the elements off your to-do list, you’ll get a sense of satisfaction. And the Universe will support you by creating synchronicities that help you.

3. Your dream is not immediate enough. The fulfillment of your dream is too far in the future or too overwhelming. For instance, if you want to lose 50 pounds, you could feel like it’s too difficult. You know it’s going to take a significant shift in your behaviors and you won’t see the final result quickly. So you procrastinate on taking action.

You have to fight through inertia to get started. To combat this, instead of focusing on the 50 pounds, take it in 5 pound increments. You can handle losing 5 pounds. When you set that as your goal, you’ll get that sense of fulfillment, and a job well done, when you see the outcome. With any long range goal, create mini-goals that you can accomplish each week. The brain likes to complete things, and bestows a sense of gratification when you do. And the Universe creates new channels for the Law of Attraction to bring benefits into your life.

4. You don’t have enough motivation. The benefits of your dream aren’t strong or clear enough for you to pursue. For instance, you may want to be healthier and fitter, but your desire isn’t powerful enough for you to change your habits or your routine. So you just keep putting it off.

You can build your enthusiasm for your dream by surrounding yourself with things concerning it. If you want to create, spend time in an art store, a museum, gallery or take a class. To start an exercise program, read articles and books about the benefits you’ll achieve. Immerse yourself in the reasons why you want your goal. The energy will grow until you get started.

When you take action, it tells the Universe that you’re serious and ready to move forward. And the Law of Attraction then begins to draw to you what you need for success.

The solution to each one of these reasons is to start working towards your dream. It doesn’t matter how small the step, as long as you’re moving toward your dream. The brain likes to accomplish things. And achieving small goals is every bit as satisfying to the brain as big goals. Don’t procrastinate any longer. The sooner you begin to work toward your dream, the sooner you’ll reap the joy of the results.

AFFIRMATION

I know I can have what I desire through the Power of my Higher Mind. The Universe wants the best for me, and will support my endeavors to create an improvement in my life. As I take the actions necessary to fulfill my dream, I create the channels through which more good flows to me. The Universe rewards my actions with positive and beneficial results.

Watch the accompanying video How to Build Your Momentum to Achieve Your Goal.

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2 Simple Ways to Calm Stress

February 20, 2019 Linda-Ann Stewart

When you feel rushed, pressured or overwhelmed, it triggers the stress response in your body and mind. You act reflexively and can’t think clearly. Learn a couple of very simple tips on how to reverse the stress response and be able to respond more effectively.

Transcript:

Thank you for joining me. I’m Linda-Ann Stewart, a vision strategist coach with a coaching tip for you. Do you ever get rushed or pressured? I’m sure you do, what with everything you have to handle in a day. I want to share a couple of simple techniques that can ease that pressure and improve your ability to handle your challenges.

When you feel anxious or overwhelmed, it triggers the stress response, otherwise called the fight or flight response. You’ve heard of this, right? And when you’re stressed, you can’t think creatively or resourcefully or plan effectively.

Your choices are limited to simply reacting to whatever is happening in that moment. And when you react impulsively, it may not be the best way to handle the situation. Have you ever snapped at someone and then regretted it? That’s what I’m talking about. It’s a reflex.

The remedy is to reverse the stress response. To activate the opposite response. And it’s really simple. Before you react to a situation, or when you need to slow down, stop. Take a few long, slow, deep breaths. This calms the stress response down and allows you to think more clearly. It gives you more resources to handle whatever the situation might be.

And your second tip, wait about 10 seconds to gather your thoughts and before you make a decision or respond to the situation. Remember your mom telling you to count to 10? Well, she was right. This engages the executive center of your brain, the part of you that thinks things through and manages your emotions. You can then make more informed decisions that will bring you better results.

I know these seem too easy to be effective. But they’re natural remedies for when you’re stressed. The fun is trying to remember to do them when you’re stuck in “go, go, go” mode. When you do use them, you’re going to notice a difference.

If you’d like more tips on how to make your day flow more smoothly, download my free guide, Take Control of Your Day.

Thank you for watching. I’d love to hear how these two simple tips work for you. Take care.

Read the accompanying article, The Hurrier You Go, The Behinder You Get.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart

The Hurrier You Go, The Behinder You Get

February 7, 2019 Linda-Ann Stewart

by Linda-Ann Stewart

My grandmother used to quote the novelist Lewis Carroll, “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.” Recently, I had an extremely busy week that epitomized that sentiment. I had multiple appointments with clients, networking meetings, deadlines for my newsletter and the association’s newsletter I edit. So I was running around trying to get prepared for, or getting things done before the deadlines arrived. Additionally, gravity seemed to be heavier, as everything I got near seemed to end up on the floor. Have you ever had a week like that? It can pull you off center and forget that the Universe has everything in order.

The Lewis Carroll quote is true. Whenever you’re in a hurry, pressured for time, and you try to do things faster, events happen to delay you. You drop your glasses, spill your coffee or forget your water bottle and must go back for it. No matter how hard you try to make up time, you stumble and obstruct yourself. You’re out of the flow of the Universe. It seems like life is against you, creating chaos that you must clean up, search for items or go back to get. And all that time you’re trying to make up never appears.

Stressful Situations

The same is true of circumstances. When you rush into a situation, without thinking it through, you tend to experience problems. You make unwise decisions, and then are stuck as you try to extract yourself. By being so pushed, you don’t consult your inner guidance. For instance, have you ever agreed to help on a committee, and realized later that you didn’t have the time for it? Or have you ever been pressured to buy something, which you did, but later regretted the purchase?

When you’re under stress, as when you’re rushed, you cannot think creatively or resourcefully. Stress puts you into a mindset of fight or flight, and you’re simply trying to survive. You act on impulse and, because you’re moving faster than normal, you become slightly clumsy. That’s when you knock a glass of water or something else onto the floor. If you’re under a lot of pressure, it can move you into a sense of fear. When you’re afraid, you can’t think clearly and remember where you put your keys, glasses or report. These negative emotions mean you shut the Infinite out of your life.

Slow Down

When I realized that I was embodying what my grandmother had warned me about, I stopped rushing around. Even though my time was limited, I knew I had to take control and manage myself better. Whenever I started to spin too fast, I reminded myself to slow down and think things through. I checked in with my inner guidance. Planning ahead can ease a lot of tension. I made myself stop and think ahead to make sure I had everything I needed.

For instance, I had to make myself lunch for the networking meeting, which would end immediately before another appointment. I got lunch ready the night before. After the appointment, I was going to the health food store, so I got my list ready ahead of time. Because I thought things through, I was able to be more relaxed. And once I got home, I could focus and be mentally ready for my virtual coaching client later that afternoon.

As you stop and think, you’re able to access your resourcefulness and ability to view the situation in perspective. You pay attention to what you’re doing in the moment, which allows you to be more present and intentional. By being more mindful, you’re more connected with the Universe and Its peace. And you assess what needs to be done, so you can make appropriate decisions. Gravity returns to normal, and your cup won’t tip over just because it’s near you.

Affirmation:

Everything in my life is in Divine Order, working for my Highest Good. I remember that whenever I feel rushed or pressured. By staying present, I’m able to access my inner guidance, as well as my resources. I’m always connected to the Universe and Its peace. I stay in the flow of the Universe.

Watch the complementary video, 2 Simple Ways to Calm Stress.

Empowering Your Mind

Mindset, Motivation and Empowerment

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