8 minute read
Mindset Matters – Part 2 By Angeli Marie Shaw
In the last issue, I discussed our powerhouses (our brain) and shared how we can gain a better understanding of how it works. Through this understanding, comes a degree of power, so how can we tap into this power to facilitate growth? And how can this improve our mindsets and assist us in making decisions to take better care of ourselves, our health, and our business?
I said it in Part 1 of this article, any step you take, no matter how big or small is an investment in YOU. And now that you’ve made the decision to grow, where do you begin?
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Priding myself on taking a holistic approach to all that I do, the options out there are endless which whilst promising, can also create confusion and uncertainty when making decisions. Firstly, let’s look at some practical tips to adjust that mindset, then work with that momentum…
1. How you start your morning sets the tone for the day. Start off with a positive affirmation, or some positive self-talk in the mirror, no matter how silly it feels.
Statements like “Todays going to be a good day” or “I am capable of whatever I set my mind to” is a good start. 2. Transform negative self-talk into positive self-talk. Sometimes the negative talk slips in so easily that we hardly realise it, but these thoughts can turn into internalised feelings and can cement your conceptions of yourself. If you catch yourself doing this,
replace the negative with positive. Turn ‘I can’t’ into ‘I can try’. 3. No matter how small, focus on the good things. There’s no such thing as a perfect day. For example, if it begins to rain as your heading out for a walk, think about the time you now have to watch a movie you’ve always wanted to see or start that new book you purchased. 4. Turn your failures into lessons. You’re always going to make mistakes, so instead of focusing on what went wrong, think about what you’ve learnt and how you’ll do it differently next time. 5. Surround yourself with positive people, friends, and mentors. Try your best to eliminate the negative influences in your life and replace them with positive ones. Not only with their positive influence rub off on you, but the on-flow effect is priceless. The positive influence will impact your line of thinking, which then influences your words, and then your actions. Just as surrounding yourself with positive influences has a great effect on you, your positive influence can have a great effect on others. Got some momentum now? Looking at ways to further enhance and grow? This is where so many can get stuck, resulting in procrastination, stagnancy and an ‘I can’t do it’ attitude. Don’t be hard on yourself if you get stuck here. We’ve all been there (including me) but through exploration, curiosity, and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone, you’ll soon find your way, and continue the momentum. Making real change in your life means taking the necessary actions, and then remaining consistent, after all, everything takes time.
Now let’s have a look at the different options available to you whilst tapping into your power to make the changes you desire. Below is a starting point of some things to consider…
Physical health - one of many factors that contribute to our overall wellbeing, looking at your physical health and making positive changes can have immediate and longterm health benefits. It reduces your risk of developing disease, increases energy levels, and improves your quality of life overall. Physical activity also improves mental health and can change the levels of chemical such
as serotonin, endorphins, and stress hormones in the brain. Depending on your circumstance, consider joining a gym and participating in classes (online if you cannot attend in person). Head outside for at least 30 minutes a day and explore your neighbourhood, even better if you can do it with a friend. Make use of what you have around you and choose the staircase instead of the lift or ride your bike to the shops down the road if only grabbing a few things. Remember, any physical activity is better than none. Start small, then gradually build on what you’re doing. Another thing to consider is what you’re putting into your body in regard to nutrition. The saying ‘you are what you eat’ is true and impacts your physical health in many different ways. Get educated on what certain foods are doing to your body and if you need help, seek it by chatting to your doctor, dietician, nutritionist etc. Sometimes Dr Google just doesn’t cut it, trust me.
Mental Health - Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and affects how we think, feel and act as well as how we relate to others. Unfortunately, many of us live with mental health disorders without even knowing it. Mental health is important as it helps us maintain healthy relationships, contributes to happy living and assists with our physical health. Whilst some are unaware that they need help, the stigma surrounding mental health is enough to prevent some from seeing their general practitioner. Talk to your doctor and allow them to make an evaluation then give their recommendations. Go you for taking this step!
Wellbeing – Fundamental to our overall health, feelings of wellbeing enable us to overcome difficulties and achieve what we want out of life, leading to a number of better life outcomes. It can be defined as ‘the state of being comfortable, healthy and happy’. There are many ways we can take care of our wellbeing. One way is connecting with others which helps us build a sense of belonging and allows us to support others and find support for ourselves. Connect with friends and family, arrange to see a friend, or have lunch with a college. If this isn’t possible make the most of technology to stay in touch with these people, however, don’t rely on technology or social media alone to build relationships. Try learning a new skill which can help with boosting confidence and raise self-esteem, but don’t feel pressure to learn something if it doesn’t interest you. Try acts of giving such as thanking someone for doing something for you, but also be mindful of not giving too much away. And finally, pay attention to the present moment. This can also be called mindfulness.
Mentors/Coaches – We really are spoilt for choice when it comes to the array of coaches and mentors available. From business, life, money, industry specific and beyond, there’s seems to be a coach for everyone. So how do you choose one? Like any service, do your research and be open minded. Look at their website, their social media, any links you can access online. Look for testimonials to review feedback from those they have worked with. See if they have mailing list, or perhaps they have a group you can join on Facebook. Some coaches offer free discovery calls, book it, it’s free, you have nothing to lose. Now, being a coach myself, you may be inclined to think that my opinion on if you need a coach is bias, but the truth is most coaches have their own coaches and even we can see the benefits of having someone on your team that you can turn to, confide in, learn from and have them keep you accountable. In fact, if you find the right coach and work well with them, the changes you will experience are not only profound, but life changing. Just get clear on what outcome you’re after and once you’ve established that you’ll find it easier to find what you’re looking for.
Still having trouble deciding what to do? Exercise! What diet? Should I see my doctor? Which coach? Help!
Here are some tips to assist you in making up your mind…
1. Talk to others that have made similar decisions. Amongst your network, there would be a range of people that have taken the various paths you may be considering.
Ask them to speak honestly, and although their situation won’t be identical to yours, there is a lot that can be taken and learnt from what they have to say. Want to ask anonymously? Reach out to the admin of one of your Facebook groups that have members in a similar situation to you. 2. Ask yourself ‘what would I do if no one else cared?’ Sometimes without realising it, we base our decisions on what we think others would think. If you fall prey to these thoughts, remember that we each walk our own path, and you’re in charge of what direction you take. 3. Don’t let fear be the driver, but don’t ignore it either. Whilst fear protects us from danger, irrational fears do the opposite, and keep us stuck in a fear state. Keep your fears in check as you make your decisions. After all, you’re doing it for you! 4. Give each option a test run. Take advantage of free discovery calls, complimentary classes, and webinars. This allows you to see how you feel about the situation, and if you feel better then you may have found a winner. 5. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stop thinking about it for a while then come back to it.
This point may appear counterproductive but ruminating over a decision can drive you a little crazy. Distract yourself for a little while then come back to it with fresh eyes can assist you in making a clear decision. 6. Accept that there may be no perfect solution. It’s called trial and error. But also remember that any decision you make to better your situation, be it physical health, mental health, or business help, you’re taking steps in the right direction.
So, how’s your powerhouse going now? A lot to take in, eh? As mentioned in part 1 of my article, the human brain is by far one of the most complex objects known to man, so when working with it and everything it entails, treat yourself with a great degree of kindness as along with yourself, we’re all navigating a new, unknown, and currently uncertain way of living. Take each step at your own pace, pause when you need to, then dust yourself off and remember, you CAN do this, as always, I believe in you.
