Downloads for Change.com is proud to continue our collaboration with the Next For Small Business Team. Thanks so much for all the great comments and communications - we're always happy to help in any way we can.
We're finishing up our 3-part series on the Productivity Mindset, and for those who need to catch up, so far we've talked about:
1 - Affirmations (a.k.a. What Are You Saying to Yourself About Yourself?)
2 - Chunking Down (a.k.a. How to Manage Overwhelm)
Today our focus is vital for business people:
3 - Staying in the Zone (a.k.a. How to Manage Your Emotional State)
Fear, stress, anxiety and frustration are a huge problem for small business owners.
Frustration stops you from getting things done. Fear keeps you from taking the big steps. Stress wears down your resolve.
At least one of these is probably a well-known challenge to you in your business.
But how do you handle it?
Most people, most of the time, don't. Let's talk about that.
There's a lot of discussion in the web space about "anchoring" (an anchor is an association that links a particular thought,
sound, picture, or feeling to a desired emotional state; for example, the scent of your ex's perfume or cologne is most likely an anchor to a feeling . . . just maybe not a positive one)
If you've read "NLP: the New Technology of Achievement," which was published by the team at NLP Comprehensive (Steve and Connirae Andreas and the gang) then you know about their "Circle of Excellence" anchoring technique. (Tony Robbins also made powerful use of this approach).
The same benefits of that approach can be received using any anchor that gives you the feeling of being "In the Zone" as a small business owner. Once you've created a powerful anchor, you've got an incredible resource that will pop you out of a funk, if you get in one; or motivate you over an obstacle, if you hit one; or inspire courage in you to face the next step despite your fear, if you feel it.
So here are some of our all-time favorite anchors that keep us In the Zone as entrepreneurs, as a way of triggering possible anchors you might like.
A - Music. Control your emotions by controlling what you're listening to! For funk, go with Stevie's "Superstition." For 80's, go "Footloose." For classical, Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries."
B - Movies. You only have to watch that key scene from the right movie, and you're back In the Zone. Favorites for us are the feeling of total freedom to live your dreams that you feel after watching The Shawshank Redemption. Or sometimes it's just about things feeling lighter and happier, which you can't not feel if you watch this.
C - Pictures. You know your vision. You know your dreams. If you haven't surrounded yourself with images that invoke those visions and dreams, you're missing out on a key anchor. Cut out magazine clippings, print out internet images, or do whatever it takes to surround yourself with your highest thoughts for your future - so that you feel it now.
D - Take a Break. As a last resort (or a first . . . what the heck!) get up from the computer, step away from the cell phone, put down the TPS report, and walk away. During that break, you can enjoy the music or movies or pictures that inspire you, or you can just let your mind wander and daydream. Either way, you will definitely regain control of your emotional state, and find yourself back In the Zone.
Discussion Question: What's your favorite kind of anchor? What inspires you and keeps you in the zone? Comment, and let us know!
We're finishing up our 3-part series on the Productivity Mindset, and for those who need to catch up, so far we've talked about:
1 - Affirmations (a.k.a. What Are You Saying to Yourself About Yourself?)
2 - Chunking Down (a.k.a. How to Manage Overwhelm)
Today our focus is vital for business people:
3 - Staying in the Zone (a.k.a. How to Manage Your Emotional State)
Fear, stress, anxiety and frustration are a huge problem for small business owners.
Frustration stops you from getting things done. Fear keeps you from taking the big steps. Stress wears down your resolve.
At least one of these is probably a well-known challenge to you in your business.
But how do you handle it?
Most people, most of the time, don't. Let's talk about that.
There's a lot of discussion in the web space about "anchoring" (an anchor is an association that links a particular thought,
sound, picture, or feeling to a desired emotional state; for example, the scent of your ex's perfume or cologne is most likely an anchor to a feeling . . . just maybe not a positive one)If you've read "NLP: the New Technology of Achievement," which was published by the team at NLP Comprehensive (Steve and Connirae Andreas and the gang) then you know about their "Circle of Excellence" anchoring technique. (Tony Robbins also made powerful use of this approach).
The same benefits of that approach can be received using any anchor that gives you the feeling of being "In the Zone" as a small business owner. Once you've created a powerful anchor, you've got an incredible resource that will pop you out of a funk, if you get in one; or motivate you over an obstacle, if you hit one; or inspire courage in you to face the next step despite your fear, if you feel it.
So here are some of our all-time favorite anchors that keep us In the Zone as entrepreneurs, as a way of triggering possible anchors you might like.
A - Music. Control your emotions by controlling what you're listening to! For funk, go with Stevie's "Superstition." For 80's, go "Footloose." For classical, Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries."
B - Movies. You only have to watch that key scene from the right movie, and you're back In the Zone. Favorites for us are the feeling of total freedom to live your dreams that you feel after watching The Shawshank Redemption. Or sometimes it's just about things feeling lighter and happier, which you can't not feel if you watch this.
C - Pictures. You know your vision. You know your dreams. If you haven't surrounded yourself with images that invoke those visions and dreams, you're missing out on a key anchor. Cut out magazine clippings, print out internet images, or do whatever it takes to surround yourself with your highest thoughts for your future - so that you feel it now.
D - Take a Break. As a last resort (or a first . . . what the heck!) get up from the computer, step away from the cell phone, put down the TPS report, and walk away. During that break, you can enjoy the music or movies or pictures that inspire you, or you can just let your mind wander and daydream. Either way, you will definitely regain control of your emotional state, and find yourself back In the Zone.
Discussion Question: What's your favorite kind of anchor? What inspires you and keeps you in the zone? Comment, and let us know!
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