This week we are discussing 3 Key Tools for a Productive Mindset or what we like to call How to Stay Happy While Eating an Elephant One Bite At a Time on a Journey of 10,000 Miles.

1.  Affirmations . . . or "What Are You Saying to Yourself About Yourself?"

What most people don’t realize about affirmations is that you are doing them anyway.  Each morning as you lie there in bed and you think about getting up to face the day you are saying something to yourself.  What you are saying to yourself is extremely important not only in what you get done that day, but also in how you feel while doing it.

That’s why we like to choose the thoughts we have on a regular basis.  So stand in front of a mirror and repeat your goals, your desires, and your best qualities.  When we focus on the positive, we feel good about ourselves.  And when we feel good about ourselves we have the confidence to take the actions necessary.

So figure out what thoughts would be useful to you.  Write them in the present, as if you already feel that way and make sure to make them positive, not the absence of a negative. more on this topic


2.  Chunking Down . . . or "How to Manage Overwhelm"

One of the bigger problems that small business owners have is to manage all of their ideas and projects without getting overwhelmed by all that needs to be accomplished.  What we’ve found is that many people get into overwhelm because of the way that they are thinking about a project.  What many tend to do is to chunk everything together until they feel like it’s just too much and maybe it is time for a break.

It usually looks like this – “Oh no, did I forget to pay the phone bill?  I’d better pay that or the phone will get shut off!  I’ll do that after I finish this blog post I’m in the middle of.  Don’t forget to call back that potential client!  And then I have to get the oil changed on the car.  What am I making for dinner again?  Oh no, my website traffic has fallen again this week, I’d better call that SEO guy that was recommended to me.”  And on, and on, and on . . . until finally you just need to take a break.  And once again the phone bill wasn’t paid.

So, here is what we suggest.  Chunk it down into bite size pieces.  Make sure that it feels very doable.  And then calendar it.  Once that task is done then you can worry about what to do next.  Remember, the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.  more on this topic


3.  Staying in the Zone . . . or "How to Manage Your Feelings"

This is a huge problem for small business owners.  Fear, stress, anxiety and frustration all can and do stop you from getting things done and from taking the big steps you need to take to grow and prosper.

So, what we suggest is that you take a break.  Yep, we said it.  Step away from the computer.  Go outside and take a walk.  Maybe get some exercise.  Do a sudoku puzzle.  Or just sit with a pad and doodle.  You need to give your mind a rest from all of that problem solving.  Also, feeding your body some endorphins and feeding your mind something creative and whimsical will make you that much more productive when you return to work.  more on this topic

We hope you enjoyed this little break from all of your so very important tasks and we look forward to guiding you to more joy and less stress on your journey to taking over the business world.  Now, doesn’t that look inviting.


Got your own favorite tips?  COMMENT below and share them with our community!

I am really honored and excited to have had the opportunity to work again with Mathew and Brennan at Downloads For Change in creating a new hypnosis MP3 download program for Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple Sclerosis symptoms typically include sensory (numbness, tingling, vibrations), visual (blurred sight, color loss, eye pain, blindness), coordination and balance (shaking, over and under movements of limbs, loss of coordination), motor (muscle weakness, paralysis, loss of control), bowel and bladder (urgency, loss of control, sexual (impotence, orgasm loss) and cognitive (forgetfulness, speech difficulty).

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease and new studies are showing the benefits of hypnosis for autoimmune disorders such as MS. One thing for sure, studies confirm that stressful events make their MS symptoms worse. During periods of stress patients were twice as likely to develop new symptoms, or a more severe form of their existing symptoms. It is believed that stress triggers the release of hormones that affect the immune system.

Hypnosis for stress is powerful and effective for stress release and relaxation. And, the good news is that you can easily learn self-hypnosis. Put hypnosis relaxation to work for you and begin reducing the symptoms and discomfort of Multiple Sclerosis.

Use this hypnosis MP3 download "Hypnosis for Multiple Sclerosis" as an additional form of help along side of any medical support and treatment you are receiving and not as a replacement.


Roger Moore
www.hypnosishealthinfo.com

Coping With Your Emotions and Rheumatoid Arthritis

by Roger Moore, PhD
Auto-Immune Disorder Specialist

In developing protocols for using hypnosis to recover from rheumatoid arthritis, I did a lot of research on the subject.

Here are some ideas to consider:

When you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis and whether you were expecting it or not, its devastating. Discovering you have a chronic illness of any sort could send your emotions into a spiral of anger and depression.

A classic symptom that accompanies arthritis, according to many experts, is depression, which may manifest itself with feelings of helplessness and feeling alone, feelings of a lack of meaning in life, mood swings, problems sleeping and lack of appetite.

The depression that many of those newly diagnosed with arthritis feel may be associated with a loss of the future that they had been planning and the realization that long term life plans may have changed.

A common fear for those diagnosed with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis to fear the future, for example, having to face up to life in a wheelchair and imagining how that may impact upon family life or career

In some cases, people who have been recently diagnosed may have a fear of the medications they have to take and what impact they will have on their lives

Every chronic illness involves loss: in the case of arthritis, the loss of activities we once enjoyed, or our self-image. Our identity is often tied to the things we do and can do. This image of ourselves now has to change and, often, we don’t know to what, or how to go about it.

Talking to someone who has been through similar fears and has similar experience with arthritis can help. Local arthritis support groups may be able to help.

Dealing with my own rheumatoid arthritis, hypnosis and diet have proven to be effective. By avoiding dairy fat and protein and minimizing foods like corn, I have minimized arthritis inflammation and pain and I get to ride my bike!

Using self hypnosis I focus my thoughts on my body, healing and directing my immune system for wellness. Hypnotherapy allows me to reduce the stress that I experience and manage my emotions, both of which directly impact rheumatoid arthritis.

You can also check out the new program I developed with the Downloads for Change Team, Move Free - Hypnosis for Rheumatoid Arthritis.  This program has 11 tracks dedicated to alleviating the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, dealing with the stress and emotions associated with a diagnosis, reducing the pain and inflammation and teaching self hypnosis.  There are also some great Lifestyle Action Steps you can take to Move Free in your life.

Los Angeles Specialist on Fears and Phobias-Matthew Walters, C.Ht.

Guiding people to discover their innate power within is what really motivates DFC co-founder Matthew Walters.  “I believe that there is really nothing wrong with any of us; nothing that stops us from achieving whatever we desire except our own belief in our perceived limitations.  These beliefs color our view of the world.  Literally we see the world as we believe it to be.”  Read on to hear about a powerful offer that Matthew has for all of you.  

Matthew’s practice of yoga and meditation were the first step in overcoming his limiting story, but it wasn’t until he discovered hypnosis that he discovered just how powerful our beliefs could be.  In fact he was so impressed, he ended a 15-year career in the Entertainment Industry and started learning these powerful techniques so that he could help others.

Matthew uses hypnosis, NLP, Therapeutic Imagery and other tools for quickly transforming emotions and behavior.  Being a practical person, he focuses on approaches that get results quickly.  He also asks a lot of his clients, knowing that everyone has to take responsibility for their own change.

Matthew currently assists creative artists and entrepreneurs overcome stress, anxiety and overwhelm at his office in Beverly Hills and over the phone.  He has appeared on the USA Network among other TV and radio appearances.

Special Offer

In honor of his upcoming wedding, Matthew has an offer that he would like to extend to all our readers.  He is offering FREE strategy sessions for anyone desiring to learn how they can transform their relationships.  Just follow these simple instructions to schedule your session:

Send an email to matthew@downloadsforchange.com with the title “Strategy Session”.  Include in the email your name, phone number, email address and answer to the question – “What limitations stop you from experiencing joy in your relationships?”  By sending this email you agree to be added to Matthew’s email list.

Laughter and Other Ways to get Relief from Anxiety

Creating new programs for our hypnosis mp3 download site is part of our mission here at DFC.  One of the other parts is giving you tools to live a more successful life.  That is what inspired today’s post.

It’s a crazy world we’re living in.  If you watch the news or listen to the radio, it seems everyone is telling you to panic because the world is falling apart.  This is a great way to get ratings but not very helpful to actually solving any problems.

I’ve always felt that the more relaxed and grounded you are, the better chance you have to actually do some good in the world.  Like Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”  I think a great way to be the change, is to become the eye of the storm.  Completely calm, with clear blue skies, while the storm blows around you.

So, today I thought I’d give you some tips on how to remain calm in the midst of a storm.

1. Breath

Your breath is the most powerful tool you have for grounding yourself and quickly calming and quieting the mind.  Here is one technique that I love:

Sit upright either on a chair or cross-legged on the floor.  Gently close your eyes.  Inhale to a count of 5, hold your breath for a count of 5, exhale for a count of 5.  Repeat a minimum of 10 times.  As you get better at this exercise, increase your count to 10, 15, or 20.

2. Get Creative

You have a great big brain in your head that loves to create systems that lead to a resolution or a solution.  This is great for problem solving, but terrible when you’re feeling anxious or stressed out.  When this process tries to solve emotional problems it creates what I call blender brain.

Getting in touch with your creative side can give this processor a break and allow your subconscious to start working on your emotions.  Write, draw, paint, sing or even puzzles (I love Sudoku) can activate your creative, imaginative part of your mind and allow your heart to process the emotion.

3. Laughter

Laughter is a great antidote to anxiety.  It releases energy, produces endorphins and allows you to see events from a new perspective.  Practice laughing at your fears.  When you find yourself imagining a future event that is unpleasant, laugh at yourself for imagining things that haven’t happened yet.  As you’re laughing, say out loud, “That’s not true.  That didn’t happen.  I’m just imagining that.”  This is a great way to interrupt an old pattern of worry.

See if there is a laughter yoga class in your area.  If not, go online to get information about how to form a group in your area.  Laughing with a group is one of the most therapeutic things we can do.  Rent a funny movie or episodes of your favorite sitcom and laugh your way out of your stress.

Another way to process stress and anxiety is to check out our great hypnosis mp3 program, Freedom From Anxiety.  Not only does it include more helpful lifestyle action steps like the ones above, but it also gives your our awesome 8-track program for finally overcoming your anxiety and living confidently.  

5 Great Tips for Deeper, Restful Sleep

Our program, Relief from Insomnia, is great at teaching your unconscious new tools for re-establishing that habit of deep, restful sleep.  And while hypnosis mp3 programs are great at helping insomnia, we also know that establishing good sleeping habits is part of what makes the program work.  With that in mind, we thought it would be helpful to share 5 great tips for deeper, restful sleep.

1.  Developing a consistent sleep and wake time.  We know that the unconscious mind responds well to consistency.  It has been said that 21 repetitions creates a new physical habit.  So try this:  go to sleep at the same time and wake up at the same time for 21 straight days.  We think you’ll find that your body begins to respond to that routine in a positive way.  Many people who suffer from insomnia do so because they have developed an inconsistent pattern of when they go to sleep at night and when they wake up.  See what happens if you make this new commitment.

2.  Give yourself time to transition from waking to sleep.  Many people watch TV, surf the web or even work right up until bedtime.  Giving yourself a transition time between activity and sleep can help you to fall asleep more easily.  Turn off the TV and computer, put on some relaxing music, have a cup of herbal tea and take some time to reflect on the day.  Looking back over your day can help you resolve some inner conflicts before you lie down and therefore you won’t take them into your dreams.  Journal, meditate, do some gentle yoga, and decompress from your day.  You’d be amazed how easy it is to sleep when you don’t take your stress into your bed.

3.  Use essential oils to help you relax.  Lavender can be especially effective when rubbed on the soles of your feet.  Drip a little lavender, chamomile and neroli on your pillow and breath in the calming, soothing, and balancing scents.  They are also very good at relieving anxiety.  You could also drip some into a warm bath (not too hot) and soak away your troubles.  Other effective oils for sleep and relaxation are bergamot, clary sage, marjoram, sandalwood, juniper and ylang ylang.

4.  Avoid caffeine and other stimulates in the afternoon and evening.  The more you limit your caffeine later in the day, the better chance it has of leaving your system before bedtime.  In general, you should limit your use of caffeine during the day.  Coffee, tea, chocolate, sodas, energy drinks are all sources of caffeine and the more you use them, the more you stress your body’s ability to adapt.  If you can, break your dependence on caffeine in order to get through the day.  Caffeine can be useful when necessary, however you don’t want your happiness or energy dependent on a chemical.

5.  Get regular exercise.  Besides all of the other health benefits of regular exercise, it can help reduce your mental, emotional and physical stress and burn off excess energy, making it easier to sleep at night.  The key is that you exercise during the day, not later in the evening.  When you exercise at night, you actually stimulate yourself and make it more difficult to fall asleep.  You don’t have to spend hours at the gym either.  15-30 minutes a day of vigorous exercise can provide tremendous benefit.  Exercise also helps stimulate brain function and allows you to think more clearly, which can reduce stress.

There are other great tips in the Lifestyle Action Steps pdf included in the Relief from Insomnia program.  So start taking action today that will pay off with great sleeping habits tomorrow.