Stop Negative Self-Talk Quickly with These Steps

2022-03-30 ~ adminlife

One of the most critical mindset shifts you can make in your life is to eliminate negative self-talk. Although everyone seems to understand the importance of this shift, most people still struggle with it.

Negative, destructive self-talk disrupts your productivity and life goals. You have countless negative conversations happening inside your head throughout your day, and these negative statements can leave you feeling frustrated, angry, defeated, or depressed.

It is normal to want to solve all of your problems, but self-criticism doesn’t help.

If you catch yourself engaging in this type of negative self-talk, you can learn how to quickly switch gears and redirect your thoughts to more positive ones.

This process can take practice, but you will notice a positive difference in your thoughts and mindset if you try a little each day.

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These are short, usually under 5 minutes but they can enable you to listen to confidence and motivation advice and tips while driving or relaxing.

So what can you do starting today to help halt negative self-talk? These tips will help:

Take a deep breath. People resort to beating themselves up because they feel overwhelmed, have too much to do, or don’t know how to change their thoughts. If this is you, take a deep breath

- It helps you momentarily slow down your thought process and realize that you are not in a position to change everything. Instead of thinking about how you can change your circumstances, try to focus on the things you can control at this moment.

Acknowledge your thoughts. Regardless of your negative self-talk stage, it’s important to acknowledge it. It’s very natural (and healthy) to have negative thoughts. Try not to ignore them. Instead, take them as a signal from your mind that change is needed.

- For example, if you’re feeling defeated, allow yourself to take a moment to give in to those feelings and realize that it’s normal to feel disappointed in yourself and your abilities. Once you have admitted your feelings, you can refocus on what matters in your life.

Identify the cause. Take a minute to think about what’s behind your negative thoughts.

- Are your complaints and negative self-talk rooted in your inability to practice your strengths, talents, and abilities?
- For example, if you have fantastic communication skills but keep letting your negative self-talk overshadow that fact, it’s time you learned to harness your talents.
- There’s a good chance you’ll realize that your fears and negative feelings were all in your head.

Create a routine. Building a pattern enables you to take less time, thoughts, and energy in negativity. Working through your negative self-talk is the best way to get past your toxic feelings.

- And you’ll have an easier time working through them if you wake up to a planned day, with not much to think about with regards to how you’re going to start your day. After all, negative self-talk overwhelms you with unnecessary stress.
- If you rise at the same time, have the same breakfast, and exercise at the same time daily, you don’t have much to overthink and get yourself worked up.

Consciously work to silence your thoughts. Your mind can power through negative thoughts by itself, but your mind doesn’t want to. You have to give it a helping hand. When you notice you’re about to indulge in negative self-talk, snap out of it.

- Make a conscious effort to let the thoughts pass without acting on them. The more you practice this, the better you’ll get at controlling your negative thinking.

Your mindset is the driving force behind all of your actions, so it’s imperative to learn how to shift your thoughts when negative self-talk begins. You have the power to change your life by changing the way you think about yourself!

To work together to help you get moving in the right direction in your life, click on the blue button below to book a 15-minute, no obligation “Get to know you” call.

Going alone on creating a better life is difficult. Find out how working with a Life Coach can make the journey to success and a better life easier.

Book the call now.

To your success

Michael

P.S. you know that living a life that is in balance is important. When you can balance your work, family, health, relationships, fitness and money, you feel better and can achieve your goals. You have the support of your family and friends which makes life worth living.

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5 Ways to Tell You’re Headed in the Right Direction in Life

2022-03-09 ~ adminlife

People tend to wonder if their life is headed in the right direction when things aren’t going well for them. That presupposes that people enjoy a sense of ease when life goes well for them. They don’t feel the need to question their life when things are going well.

They flow with events and don’t hesitate because things work.

A life without direction is like a ship without a rudder. If rudderless ships can go in circles, then who’s to say people won’t follow the same journey?

But whether you’re steering a little or a lot in life, some key indicators tell you without a doubt that you have the right direction.

How can you tell your life is in the right direction? Here are five signs:

Things fall in place for you. When you’re going in the right direction, it seems as if the universe is sending you everything you need to get to your destination.

- People come into your life at just the right moment, opportunities come your way, and you get accepted to programs or schools that you never thought you’d ever be able to join. Sometimes, these coincidences even look kind of magical.

If you would like to listen to these types of articles, you can visit my podcasts at

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/confidenceandmotivation

These are short, usually under 5 minutes but they can enable you to listen to confidence and motivation advice and tips while driving or relaxing.

Things that happened in the past don’t bother you anymore. Significant life changes can make us feel like giving up on our dreams. Losing a job or breaking off a relationship can be enough to make us feel like we’ve made the worst mistakes of our lives.

- But when you’re heading in the right direction in life, the past doesn’t bother you anymore. You feel like the mess of your life was worth it, even if it took years for you to perceive it that way.
- Things that don’t interfere with your life don’t seem to matter to you. And old grudges create no pain at all. You easily let go.

You don’t let setbacks hold you back. You bounce back quickly from failure or rejection. You keep going, even when it seems like everyone else has given up.

- Life will have its ups and downs. The difference is, you don’t get tied down with the emotional turmoil of setbacks. Instead, you learn from them and carry on for the good times ahead!

What other people say bothers you less. It bothered you when your friends would tell you that you were making a mistake. But now you don’t care what they think. You’re on your life path, and you expect to find like-minded people there.

- When you’re on the right track, you don’t feel a strong desire to seek others’ approval. You don’t strive to receive confirmation from others to ascertain the validity of your actions.
- You may allow feedback from others, but you’re not overly interested in their opinions and preferences. You are more invested in what you know works and what feels right to you, and you’re more confident in your choices and decisions.
- You are likely to take more risks and adopt more unconventional approaches to pursue your dreams. You strive to be deliberate in your pursuit of success instead of simply reacting to the circumstances in your life.

You tend to build things up instead of destroying them. When your life is in the right direction, you experience a more significant presence and intensity to your purpose. You dream bigger and bolder, pursuing those dreams with more enthusiasm and desperation.

- You are more comfortable owning up to your failure and figuring out what to do next.

When people make significant changes in their lives, they often resort to nitpicking their flaws to grow at a faster pace. They scour their past and scrutinize everything they have ever done in hopes of finding something to apologize for or second-guess. But when you’re on the right track, you don’t need to second-guess yourself.

You simply plow forward, focused on what’s in front of you and on growing closer toward your goals. It’s the pursuit of your purpose—not your perfection—that matters most. And that’s precisely how you know you’ve gone in the right direction.

To work together to help you get moving in the right direction in your life, click on the blue button below to book a 15-minute, no obligation “Get to know you” call.Going alone on creating a better life is difficult. Find out how working with a Life Coach can make the journey to success and a better life easier.

Book the call now.

To your success

Michael

Check out my programs at Confidence and Life Coaching by clicking on the logo below:

Photo by Yeshi Kangrang on Unsplash

How to Axe Self-Sabotaging Behaviour

2022-01-16 ~ adminlife

Self-sabotage is a uniquely human behaviour. Many of us sabotage ourselves when we decide we want something by doing everything we can to ensure we don’t get it. Sound familiar? Although self-sabotage is a subconscious behaviour, we can get a handle on it.

There are many reasons that you might sabotage yourself. It’s an extremely common behaviour, rooted in a fear of the unknown. If you’ve immersed yourself in mediocrity, the idea of greatness may be frightening. Ask yourself if you’re satisfied with your life.

Find out why you may self-sabotage:

You might self-sabotage because you have a need to be in control of your circumstances. The easiest and most certain way to stay in control is to maintain the status quo.

- If you put your all into something, you run the risk of becoming vulnerable. Fear gets the best of you and you self-sabotage.

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Low self-esteem. Do you feel unworthy of greatness?

- For whatever reason, you may have decided that happiness ought to be forever beyond your reach. This is a self-limiting idea, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Perhaps you undermine your efforts because you’re seeking excitement. You feel the need to remain in a constant state of turmoil to distract yourself from painful memories or alleviate boredom.

If you see yourself in any of these descriptions, fear not: there are steps you can take to put yourself on the path toward self-mastery.

Consider this process for defeating your self-sabotage:

Observe your behaviour. First off, it’s essential that you begin to observe yourself. You can effectively do this by creating a self-sabotage journal. Make a journal entry every time you realize that you’ve sabotaged yourself. Describe the setting, circumstances, and end result. Avoid over-analyzing.

- Most often, a person’s true intentions are most evident in their actions, rather than their words.
- Strive to be an impersonal observer in your journal. Eventually, you’ll gain a better understanding of your motives in certain situations.

Envision success. Keep in mind that success is neither black nor white. Cultivate the habit of envisioning what success means to you and remember how it feels to achieve it. If you do this consistently, you may find that what you envision changes over time.

- Begin to see success as an integral part of your future, but realize there will still be challenges. Just like everyone else, you’ll still have to pay taxes and have relationship issues.

Let go of the notion of perfection. As you visualize success, are you still thinking that success equals perfection? If so, it’s time to realize that nobody is perfect.

- This is what George Bernard Shaw would refer to as “doublethink.” Perfection and life are mutually exclusive because perfection is unattainable. Your subconscious won’t allow you to achieve success if you associate success with the impossible task of being perfect.
- Think of your subconscious as a computer. It doesn’t know how to execute a command called “do the impossible.”
- If you associate success with fear, your subconscious will fight you the entire way. Why? Because its primary function is to protect you from perceived threats.

Give yourself permission to anticipate success with excitement. Perhaps you’ve been sending your subconscious the message, “Don’t give me success!” So, let’s put your self-sabotaging behaviours in the past!

Embrace the good life you deserve by picturing yourself as successful, and then refuse to talk yourself out of going for it. The journey to your ideal life starts now!

To work together to help you overcome your self-sabotaging behaviour and get you moving on your journey to success, click on the blue button below to book a 15-minute, no obligation “Get to know you” call

Going alone on creating a better life is difficult. Find out how working with a Life Coach can make the journey to success and a better life easier.

Book the call now.

To your success

Michael

Check out my programs at Confidence and Life Coaching by clicking on the logo below:

Top 6 Excuses That Limit Your Success

2021-12-26 ~ adminlife

Everyone wants to have a beach body, but no one wants to diet or workout. Being successful isn’t automatic. It requires concentrated effort and action.

Many of us have a series of excuses that we can pull out of a hat at a moment’s notice. There’s always one that seems to fit the bill perfectly. This is done largely to protect ourselves and to justify our current circumstances.

Are any of these excuses holding you back from success?

“I don’t know how.” This common excuse gives you permission to not even try. However, this excuse simply doesn’t hold water. At no time in the history of mankind has there been so much information available. Want to start a charity? There are hundreds of books on the subject. Need to lose 100 lbs? There are thousands of resources available.

- One of the best ways to figure out how to do something is to find a qualified mentor. Another effective option is to simply try and then adjust your approach based on your results.

“I’m afraid.” This is perhaps the most socially acceptable answer. Who hasn’t been afraid? But there is very little to legitimately fear in our modern times. In most circumstances, you’re not in danger of being eaten by a lion or falling off a cliff.

- Most of our fears are socially based and have no real consequences. Being afraid isn’t a valid excuse 99% of the time.
- Would you rather be successful or protect your ego?

“I don’t have enough time.” Do you really believe this? Nearly all of us waste time on activities that provide no real value, including watching TV, internet surfing, and a host of other time wasters.

- You know in your heart you could make the time for something that was truly important to you.

“I don’t have enough money.” This is another common excuse, but there is usually a way to work around a lack of financial resources. For example, if you’d like to learn to play the piano but can’t afford one, you could:

- Find a free piano on Craigslist
- Pick up an inexpensive digital piano in a pawnshop
- Ask a local church or school to use their piano after hours
- Locate a piano you can use at your local college

“It’s too late for me.” It’s too late? A person climbed Mount Everest in his 80’s. People have gone back to medical school in their 60’s. What would you like to do?

- Getting a late start might be less convenient and more challenging, but there’s nothing wrong with that. It means that you’ll only take on the challenges that are really important to you. That could be a good thing.
- To be fair, there are a few things that require an earlier start than others. You’re not likely to play in the NBA if you take up basketball in your 30’s. But you could be a coach or work in the front office.

“It’s too hard.” Some endeavours are certainly more competitive than others. But claiming that something is “too hard” is really just another way of admitting that you’re afraid.

- The truth is that people with limited resources and talent can still be extremely successful.
- We tend to imagine the competition is much tougher than it really is. The average person doesn’t have a lot of control over himself. He’s not truly committed. Those with motivation and stamina are really the ones who succeed.

People that are successful on a regular basis tend to have the fewest excuses. How could it be any other way?

Those with excuses are able to justify not taking action. However, no action equals no results. So put aside your excuses and go after what you truly want. You’ll be glad you did!

You can book your 15-minute “Get to know you” call by clicking on the blue button belowand we can talk about how we can work together

To your success

Michael

Check out my programs at Confidence and Life Coaching by clicking on the logo below:

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A Foolproof Formula for Believing in Yourself

2021-12-06 ~ adminlife

What does it take to succeed? You might think you need lots of money and powerful friends. However, there’s a more significant factor that’s free and within your reach.

Believing in yourself may be your most valuable resource. It has a powerful impact on your behaviour and experiences. It’s a mindset that gives you motivation and helps you to reach your goals.

You deserve to be happy and fulfilled. Try this foolproof formula for increasing your faith in yourself.

Building Your Confidence

When you’re feeling unsure, remind yourself that confidence is a skill you can develop. You might need to fake it sometimes, but gradually you’ll accept and trust yourself more.

Try these tips to build confidence:

Review your achievements. It’s easy to forget how far you’ve come. Give yourself credit for your major accomplishments and the incremental progress you make each day.
Set goals. Keep adding to your track record by creating specific and compelling goals for the short and long term. Making an effort is just as important as the end results.
Change your inner dialogue. How do you talk to yourself? Choose words that lift you up and inspire you to try harder.
Continue learning. Maybe you need additional resources and qualifications to pursue your passions. Take courses online, read books, and talk with others about their areas of expertise.
Think positive. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude and hope. Start your day with a smile, and savour small pleasures.

Taking Care of Yourself

Your daily choices reflect how much you value yourself.

Adopt habits that protect your physical and mental well being, such as:

Exercise regularly. Physical activity reduces stress and increases hormones that help you to feel calm and happy. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise each week.
Eat healthy. It’s easier to have confidence when your energy levels are high, and your blood sugar is stable. Enjoy a diet rich in nutritious whole foods, including plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Avoid excess salt and sugar.
Sleep well. Your body and mind need 7 to 8 hours of restful sleep each night. Stick to a consistent bedtime and keep your bedroom dark and quiet.
Manage stress. How do you deal with daily tensions? Learn constructive coping strategies. In addition to working out, you could develop a daily self-care practice or listen to soft music.

Reaching out for Support

Believing in yourself also means being realistic. Relying on others can sometimes be a sign of wisdom and strength.

Try these strategies:

Advocate for yourself. Mutually supportive relationships are based on healthy boundaries and asking for help when you need it. Communicate tactfully and directly and allow yourself to be vulnerable.
Network actively. Build a strong system of personal and professional contacts. Join clubs and go to places where you can meet others who share your interests. Nurture your relationships by staying in touch and being willing to communicate on a deeper level where you share your thoughts and feelings.
Find a mentor. Working with a trusted advisor is a great way to gain guidance and valuable feedback about your career path and other aspects of your life. Look for someone you can relate to and be respectful of their time. You can start with someone you know or ask your contacts for introductions.
Be generous. Giving to others can increase your regard for yourself in many ways. In addition to making yourself more popular, you’ll see proof that you have strengths that can make a positive impact on the world and your community.

Believe in yourself and your abilities! Love yourself for who you are and create the life you want.

You can book your 15-minute “Get to know you” call by clicking on the blue button belowand we can talk about how we can work together

To your success

Michael

Check out my programs at Confidence and Life Coaching by clicking on the logo below:

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