If you keep saying that you’re confused, you’re blocking any possibility of discovering your direction. When you imagine that you know what to do, you open to the wise part of you that knows. Here’s a guided meditation to engage your imagination to access that wise part to help you find your direction.
~ Linda-Ann Stewart
People expect that when they set an intention and begin to follow through with it, it’ll be easy. Unfortunately, having setbacks is a necessary part of the process. Learn what pitfalls can teach you and how it can make you stronger when you’re fulfilling a goal.
Read the accompanying article Believe You Can and You’re Right.
~ Linda-Ann Stewart
Question: Is it better to divide what we want to achieve (our goal) into small, easier to achieve steps in order to get faster results?
Answer: Many times it is easier to break up a goal into smaller steps, mainly so that your conscious mind can believe that they’re accessible. For instance, if you want more income, use a believable amount as your initial goal. That way you can feel successful as you accomplish it, and then set another goal of a little bit more. Or to release weight, set small increments of two, five, or ten pounds as your steps.
Sometimes, a person tries to break it up in such small steps that they’re micromanaging how it has to come about. In that case, it’s not a good idea for the smaller steps. For example, if some wanted a new apartment, they might state they wanted a certain amount of space (this is fine), for a certain amount of rent (this is fine, too), in a certain apartment building (not fine), on a certain floor (not fine).
Or someone might want a relationship. They could state the characteristics they wanted in their partner (this is good), how they would relate (good), and choose a certain person as their desired mate (not good).
In achieving a goal, your job is to decide what you want, break it into small steps that your conscious mind can believe and that your subconscious can accomplish without being overwhelmed. Then take any actions you know to take to bring it about. With you in motion, it’s up to your subconscious mind to find the way to manifest your goal.
Copyright 2006, 2013 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved
You’ve heard the phrase, “Where attention goes, energy flows.” The more attention you give a goal, the more energy it gains. Learn 3 steps to direct your attention so that it results in actions that will create the outcome you want.
Copyright 2013 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved
You’re always visualizing, in ways you may not be aware of. When you think of performing your next task, you’re creating a mental image of that task. As you drive to work, you have a mental map of your route that you follow, including the landmarks you use to navigate by.
You also visualize yourself. In your mind is an image of yourself as either successful or not, and you recreate that picture in your life, becoming who you think you are.
A new article has spotlighted just how much you use visualization in your day-to-day activities. It’s a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety at the University of Utah. The study looked at how all the new technology of cars, designed to make us safer, can actually be a hazard.
The new technology that allows you to give verbal directions to your car diverts your attention from the action of driving. “It basically takes our minds, if not our eyes, off the road,” says David Strayer.
Your brain automatically tries to place a face with who you’re talking to. And when that’s a car, your mind seeks to create a person there. Whether you’re aware of it or not, you have to think hard about what you’re saying and the “person” you’re talking to.
This is also why it’s more dangerous to talk on a cell phone while driving than to talk to a passenger. You’re mentally creating the person’s face who is on the other end of the call. This takes more attention and brainpower. When the person is in the car with you, you don’t have to use brainpower to imagine what they look like. They’re already there.
Use your attention and visualization wisely. Keep your mind on your driving when you’re behind the wheel. And make sure that you’re visualizing what it is that you want, including arriving safely at your destination.
~ Linda-Ann Stewart
Question: How would I go about creating a treasure map to attract a loving relationship with a mate?
Answer: I’d suggest you write down the attributes and characteristics you want, such as: honesty, integrity, treats me well, values me, respects me, a sense of humor that harmonizes with mine, etc. Think of the things you’ll want to do together, have similar interests, etc.
Then, when you have this list, start looking for pictures that evoke those feelings in you, that remind you of what you want, such as a couple strolling together, having dinner together, etc. Choose whether you want it on a posterboard, construction paper, or in a notebook. For love, it’s been suggested that you use a rosy-pink color for the background. Paste or tape the pictures on the paper or board. Scatter the words and phrases that you’ve listed around these pictures.
Somewhere prominently on the page, write an affirmation, such as: “Infinite Intelligence knows who the perfect partner for me is. I now attract the Divine Right partner into my life, someone who harmonizes with me.” You might include something about Divine Timing. Or write a statement that, to you, describes the manifestation. Look at your treasure map several times a day, and know that your creative mind is working on it. Don’t worry about ‘how’ it will happen, just follow any leads or opportunities.
For more information on making a treasure map, read Creating A Treasure Map To Achieve Your Desires.
Copyright 2004, 2013 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved
Question: If I find it hard to clearly visualize my goal, does that mean it won’t manifest?
Answer: The term “visualization” or “imagery” tends to mislead people. So many people tell me that “I can’t visualize.” But visualization doesn’t necessarily mean mentally seeing something in glorious technicolor and surround sound. Most of us don’t have that kind of spontaneous imagination.
We all have a dominant style of imagining. Some people are very visual, like artists. Some are auditory, hearing ideas, like musicians. Others’ are sensory, feeling and sensing something going on. We all have all of the senses in our imagination to some extent.
For instance, describe an apple. What does it look like, how does it smell, how does it feel, how does it taste, how does it sound when you bite into it, how do your teeth feel when you bite into it? Being able to describe that apple is visualization. With practice, we can strengthen the other senses to make our mental visualization more powerful and it’s a good idea to do the practice.
However, being able to mentally see a goal isn’t necessary to manifesting it. If you can imagine yourself having it, how it feels to have it, and keep that feeling at the forefront of your mind and no other thought denies or negates it, then you’ll likely manifest it.
There are some other tips, such as being specific, making sure you’re not deciding ‘how’ it has to happen (let your creative mind figure that out), take any steps towards it that you know to take, etc. Write out what would be in your life with this goal. That also is “visualizing,” because you’re using your imagination to create the vision of it.
Copyright 2003, 2012 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved
by Linda-Ann Stewart
First, as you might do every year, write down all the things that you want to change in your life. But this time, prioritize them. Decide which are the most important, then select one of these to concentrate on. By focusing on one area at a time, you will be able to improve your chances of success.
Once you’ve chosen which area you want to concentrate on, write down all the steps you need to take to fulfill that goal. For instance, suppose Sam decides he wants to get healthy. To do so, he chooses to quit smoking, eliminate caffeine, sugar, and alcohol, to stop partying, get enough sleep every night, lose weight, start exercising, and eat right. He can’t do all of these at the same time, or his subconscious will rebel. Therefore, he decides which facet he wants to tackle first.
Break your goal down into reasonable steps. Don’t try to change the world in one week. As you accomplish one component, move onto the next one. It may actually take a couple of years to achieve your whole list, but in a couple of years you’ll be so much healthier than you are now.
Once you have your first element chosen, you can now decide on what physical actions to take every day. Taking physical action helps to convince the subconscious that you mean business, and shows commitment to the process.
Visualize yourself acting out your objective. As you imagine yourself living your goal, this gives your subconscious mind the direction it needs. It must follow your envisioning. Mentally rehearse each day, identifying with your new ideal, feeling how good it is to have accomplished your aim.
Write a short positive statement in the present tense that embodies your resolution. Use this affirmation in your visualization to reinforce it. Say the declaration aloud one hundred times a day. Print it on index cards and place them where you see them often. This keeps you focused on your goal and begins to impregnate your subconscious with what it is that you want. Trust that your subconscious is making deep level changes, and knows the best way to help you to transform.
By following these directions, you will be able to successfully make and keep your New Year’s resolutions. You have all the power within you to create a wonderful new life for yourself. Don’t be afraid to use it.
Copyright 2001, 2012 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved
Question: I have an extremely stressful job, supervising many people, with schedule changes every few hours or days. What can I do to cope with the stress?
Answer: I’ve given seminars on stress reduction, and define stress as “any adjustment that has to be done to the normal routine.” So if your schedule changes several times a day, just the having to adjust to something new will create stress.
Doing meditation, relaxation, or self-hypnosis will help to reduce the stress. Any of these mimics the end process of the stress response, namely the “let-down” period. By doing self-hypnosis, you’re telling the mind that all is well now, and it’s safe to let go and relax. It doesn’t have to take long, just 15 minutes a day.
I know that when I do this after a stressful day, it gives me a lift, and I feel much more refreshed. My clients and the seminar attendees also say the same. You’ll be amazed. You can find the instructions to do self-hypnosis on my site at
Self-Hypnosis Steps.
In the space where you are to put in your suggestions, just imagine yourself in a special place of peace and comfort. It may be someplace you enjoy visiting, or someplace imaginary. And it may change from time to time. You’re giving yourself a mental vacation.
Copyright 2003, 2012 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved
Question: How do I block extraneous thoughts during meditation, visualization, or self-hypnosis?
Answer: Extraneous thoughts are normal when you meditate, visualize, or do self-hypnosis. It takes time and lots of practice to learn to not let them distract you during your spiritual and/or mental practice.
When other thoughts come into your mind during your practice, you don’t have to let them interfere. I know that sounds odd, but the more you resent or resist those thoughts, the more attention they’ll get. The more attention they get, the more often they’ll interfere. When they come into your mind (and come they will, it’s the nature of the mind), just acknowledge them then put your attention back on your practice.
When I’m working with a hypnotherapy client, I say something like “other thoughts won’t interfere,” because the more a person is concerned about those thoughts, or resists them, the more they take attention away from the goal of the session. Therefore, I subliminally give them permission to have other thoughts, but then suggest that they won’t have any power to distract.
The essence of this idea works with any individual’s spiritual and/or mental practice. Give the thoughts permission to be there, but don’t get emotionally involved with them. It’s part of spiritual/mental practice to watch them objectively. This objectivity then translates into the rest of your life.
Copyright 2003, 2012 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved