by AmyD | Apr 1, 2019 | Business, Choices, Communication, Spirituality, Success
In the movie, Yes Man, Carl Allen (portrayed by Jim Carrey), is mired in his negative ways until the day he attends a self-help seminar that teaches the power of saying yes. The results are immediate—new job promotion, new romance, but true to Hollywood form, Carl discovers that too much of anything can be bad for you. The road to happiness is a little more complex than simply saying yes. Still, the concept that giving to others improves your health and happiness is not a screenwriter’s fantasy. Saying yes gives you permission to receive positive energy. It fuels creativity and creates trust and safety amongst others.
In our daily lives, the inclusion of others to create positive interactions begin with saying yes. This does not mean we agree with everything, but we provide affirmation that the person is heard. By simply, nodding or saying, yes, we are passing on positive energy to the speaker. Short phrases such as, “Yes, I hear you,” or “Yes, your words are important,” are positive ways to engage the speaker. Even if we disagree, we should acknowledge value in the speaker’s words. This reduces the chance of speaker becoming defensive. It promotes openness and positive inclusion.
By saying yes, we can also produce positive energy in our everyday lives. When we focus our energy on believing that we can succeed, complete a task, or reach a goal, we are giving our inner selves permission to try. Conversely, no is the beginning of fear. Starting with yes, we are freed from self-doubt and fear. Empowered, we can take the positive energy and reach for our goals.
The power of yes produces positive energy and a sense of value. Just as depicted in the movie, Yes Man, too much of “yes,” can lead to negative consequences such as loss of standards and accountability and a sense of recklessness. This power must be tempered with common sense.
So, go forth and embrace the power of Yes!
Reach out to me, AmyD the Peak Performance Expert and Trainer, if you want to learn how you can harness the power of yes- so that you can be the most effective, focused and driven leader you can be.
by AmyD | Dec 6, 2018 | Choices, Emotions, Faith, Health, Heart Wall, Mindfulness, Relationships, Spirituality, Success
As the Peak Performance Expert, I help people remove the mental limitations that prevent them from achieving greater success.
One of the main emotional blocks I see among my clients and others, time and time again, is this: a diminished capacity for gratitude.
We, as a society, seem to have forgotten what it means to receive with grace. To experience and express gratitude, which is a blessing in itself.
In fact, we’ve replaced the practice of gratitude with a negative mindset, that of dissatisfaction. We spend each and every hour striving to do more and be more without taking a moment, a mindful pause, to give thanks to the universe and our Creator for all the resources we already have.
Instead, we barrel forward with our heads down, focused entirely on the end result rather than the present moment that is perfect just as it is.
In fact, it is God who reminds us of our innate perfection. Not only is this moment perfect, but we too are made perfect in His image. God also reminds us that generosity is part of the natural order. Romans 8:32 speaks of the grace that comes with giving and receiving:
“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32
The good news is that you can beginning practice gratitude in the here and now. You can give yourself permission to feel joy in receiving the gifts of the universe. When you open your heart to this energy, you will only ever attract positive things.
Greet each moment with your palms up. You can think of palms up in a figurative way, signifying an open-hearted and receptive approach toward the universe.
You can also practice this position literally by sitting in meditation with your palms up. Mindfully consider the things in your life that you’re grateful for. We often take the things in our lives for granted, so now is the time to pause and give thanks for the small things that give our lives meaning will in turn bring those larger gifts we desire i.e. abundance, prosperity, peace of mind, high quality relationships, strong communication skills.
When you practice gratitude, it becomes habitual, something that comes naturally to you. You are in effect creating more life-affirming energy that sustains you rather than depletes you, as I’ve explained in another article about the laws of biocentrism.
Here’s another way of putting this elegant, simplified truth. When we appreciate even the smallest things, such as a kind gesture or the check in our hand, our liveliness quite literally appreciates. It leads to an endless, abundant energetic flow, an increase in the value and positive meaning of our lives over time.
Energy attracts like energy. If you’re ready to begin the life-altering practice of transforming your current energy in new, positive, elevating ways, reach out to me. I look forward to beginning that journey with you!
by AmyD | Oct 25, 2017 | Choices, Spirituality
When we first start out at a new job or opportunity, we are like a roaring fire. Our fire burned bright, drawing eyes and attention of others. You’ve seen that fire before. Over time the fire burns down, simmers and smolders. It’s still there, generating heat. Yet, it isn’t nearly as bright or eye-catching. It may have been tempered by time and regret.
Regret is often portrayed as a negative emotion. It can; however, be a powerful motivator. Use it to reignite the dull flame and passion within you.
According to the Harvard Business Review, the top five career regrets are as follows:
1.) I wish I hadn’t taken the job for the money.
2.) I wish I had quit earlier.
3.) I wish I had the confidence to start my own business.
4.) I wish I had used my time at school more productively.
5.) I wish I had acted on my career hunches.
These regrets can easily parlay into other areas of our lives, beyond our career. Money is often an enticing motivator, but it quickly wanes. It’s shallow. The Bible states the root of all evil is money. It brings little joy and leaves regret and disappointment in its wake. It drowns our fire, and dampens our spirits.
When we place our faith in physical things, our souls are starved for more fulfilling engagement. We discover those in meaning and challenging work. So, when we regret accepting a job for money, or being motivated by money, we can use it as kindling to ignite a fire to do more. It’s the challenge that sparks our creativity, our sense of purpose, and desire to achieve.
The second career regret on the list is, “I wish I had quit earlier.” Oftentimes the warning signs along a dangerous highway are visible. We simply ignore them. Either because we’re caught in the frenzy of the ride or we’re distracted. Either way, we must focus to observe and take in what’s happening around us. Meditation can help us be present in the moment. Keeping a journal will allow us to be reflective. All of these activities will help us become more observant. We gain clarity to see when it’s time to stop.
Risk is scary. Starting a business is not only risky, but requires confidence in your abilities. It’s akin to jumping without a parachute. Life is about risk. It’s about being ignited and on fire! Be passionate about your interests. Step out on faith and gain confidence in your abilities to transform your hobby into a profession.
Education is one of the most important aspects of one’s life. Wishing more time was spent at school being productive is the fourth regret. Despite looking back on what could have been, you can seek out new opportunities in education. You can also utilize current opportunities to seek out productive ways to grow. Ask your current employer. It’s never too late to go back to school.
The final regret stated people regretted not acting on their career hunches. Like most of the previous regrets, this one stems from looking backward, versus going forward. This is also one where gaining clarity and meditating will help. Channel those feelings of regret into a fire. Use it to motivate you to push toward the goals you want to accomplish.
Regardless of what past regret is dulling your fire, you can still ignite a fire of new opportunities.
Are you reading to ignite the spark? Reach out to me, AmyD, the Peak Performance Expert and Trainer.
Book an exploratory call.
by AmyD | Apr 25, 2017 | Leadership, Mindfulness, Spirituality, Success
In my last blog post, I discussed how your emotions impact your physical health. Your body is an entire system of thought, that communicates with itself so it can heal from illness and injury. Right now I’d like to shed more light on how mental awareness and long term meditation not only impact your brain, but also your mental and physical performance.
Studies reveal that meditation has an age-defying impact on the the brain. Those who commit to long-term meditation have more gray matter in the regions of their brain that are responsible for sensory perception, memory and decision-making. Older meditators, around 50 years old, had the same amount of gray matter in their cortex as 25-year-olds.
Whether you’re a professional athlete or a CEO, you can benefit from habitual meditation and awareness exercises, which not only strengthen your brain against the impacts of aging, but also increase your peak performance. Here’s how:
Hyper-Awareness
My clients who practice meditation and mental awareness report dramatic, positive changes in their perceptions. Through a disciplinary practice, they’ve cultivated a mindset that is clear, free from distraction, and responsive to changes in their environment. My professional athletes in particular have integrated mental awareness into their physical training regimen. The increased awareness of their surroundings allows them to anticipate their opponent’s next move with more precision than before. They know the drill. They can predict, with laser-like accuracy, when their opponent is interrupting the flow that they’ve established through their mental and physical rituals.
This altered state, called a “flow state” by experts, elevates them to a peak performance that gives them the ultimate advantage over their opponent.
Physical Well-being
Meditation inhibits chemicals like cortisol, which are associated with chronic stress. Stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine wreak havoc on our bodies, and keep our brains from sustaining that healthy gray matter so crucial to our mental focus and our memories. Chronic stress also creates a buildup of negative energy in our bodies which increase wear-and-tear. It’s why some professional athletes report being more injury prone when they’ve stopped meditating or practicing mental awareness.
Long term meditation can act as preventative for the harmful stress placed on the body. Discipline in the art of meditation and mental awareness allows you to react quickly and gracefully to everything around you. You begin to “think on your feet,” which prevents career-ruining injuries and promotes the holistic healing of your body, mind, and spirit.
If you’re in a career that requires you to be on top of your game, at all times and all places, meditation and mental conditioning is what puts you at a competitive advantage. Ask me about Peak Performance Mentoring that can catapult you to a place among the elites. Visit my contact page or email me at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you!
by AmyD | Jan 5, 2017 | Entrepreneurship, Faith, Leadership, Spirituality, Success
For some of us, integrity is one of the highest of personal values. To speak our own truths, that come from within our open heart, is what allows us to continue our path toward self-realization. By practicing integrity in all that we say and do, we ensure that our greatest mission in life will be fulfilled. That mission is to bring our unique gifts and talents to an ever-receiving universe.
Let me show you several ways you can remained focused and dedicated to your life’s mission.
Take Other People’s Opinions With a Grain of Salt
Sometimes other people’s narratives or perceptions of how we are can distract us from the truth about ourselves. While the beliefs that others have may be enlightening in some ways, in that they reveal different sides of ourselves we may have been blind to, sometimes those beliefs are false and get in the way of our highest calling. Those beliefs are a distortion of what we actually stand for, in our heart of hearts.
Accept the opinions and beliefs that others have about you as information, not hard-and-fast truth. It can be helpful to hear how you are perceived by others, but it can also hinder you. Don’t let it.
Claim Who You Are
By claiming who you are, as a unique, un-repeatable miracle of God and the universe, you can better visualize what your mission in life is.
Here’s an exercise to help you. Write down a series of affirmations that lay claim to this powerful, positive energy that is yours. In one of my videos, I give you an example of a specific writing exercise that, while short, will help you visualize the qualities that make you a superhero, a person on a exhilarating mission.
Are you godly? Are you giving? Are you loving? Are you loved? You will never find out unless you ask yourself. Make this a habitual spiritual practice and in time you’ll be able to visualize your mission and regain the energy needed to perform your important service in the world.
Be Intentional and Have Conviction
What does it mean to be intentional or full of conviction, and how does it relate to being on a mission? Intentionality is a word to describe mindful focus. When you’re intentional, you are fixing your mind’s eye on the object in front of you- in this case, your mission. By focusing mindfully on that desired object, you actually align your entire being in the direction of its fulfillment. Intentionality is a psychic commitment that brings you closer to reaching your destiny.
You also need to have conviction if you’re to fulfill your mission in life. What good is having a mission if you don’t feel it with all of your mind, body, and spirit? To live life with conviction, you must walk and talk with integrity. If you do that, I promise you this – fulfillment will come sooner than you ever imagined.
I believe that everyone’s mission in this life is to be the positive reflection they want to see in the world. What that positive reflection is will differ from person to person, depending on every precious individual’s unique, irreplaceable strengths and talents. You can discover what these gifts are, what your mission is in life, and see to it that it is achieved starting today.
Reach out to me to begin a new chapter in your journey.
by AmyD | Dec 26, 2016 | Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Mindfulness, Relationships, Spirituality
Mindfulness is often been seen as an exclusively female practice, because it fosters a less conflict-driven response to our emotions and our external world. As someone who teaches mindfulness to highly successful men- from CEOs to professional athletes- I’m here to tell you that such techniques can only strengthen your masculine identity. Some of the most elite individuals, from Steve Jobs to Kobe Bryant, actually credit their abundant success to the art of mindfulness. Here are all of the reasons why you should start practicing mindfulness today.
Focus
Mindfulness is not about getting rid of your thoughts, feelings, or perceptions. It’s about being consciously aware of what’s right in front of you, how you are experiencing it in the present moment, and reacting appropriately. For those in fast-paced, high-performance careers, mindfulness prevents your thoughts from wandering, keeping your mind laser-focused on the important task at hand. It’s no wonder Phil Jackson’s coaching methods include mindfulness. It’s what keeps your head in the game.
Leadership
Strong, impactful leaders like Richard Branson practice mindfulness every single day. It allows them to see the ultimate picture of success that goes beyond material wealth. Mindfulness elevates your energy to a higher vibration that allows you to guide your employees or teammates in a direction that benefits everyone. Think that kind of empathic leadership is too “soft”? Tell that to Steve Jobs whose authoritative energy was matched with a mindful attention toward others that got things done.
Mental Health
Depression, anxiety, anger issues and addiction are among the most debilitating emotional conditions that afflict men in high-pressure leadership positions. Without the self-mastery that mindfulness cultivates, you can fall victim to your own destructive emotions. A Heart Wall can form, preventing you from ever realizing your highest potential in your career and in your relationships. Mindfulness practice, however, is proven to help men react better to high-stress situations so that they tackle problems more wisely and effectively. When you master mindfulness, you master yourself.
Physical Well-Being
Stress-related illnesses impact male professionals at a higher rate than others. Heart disease, high blood pressure, headaches, obesity, diabetes and accelerated aging are all physical ailments related to poor stress management. Mindfulness not only lowers your stress, but will increase your overall physical health by preventing these fatal diseases. Professional athletes, including countless Olympic champions, practice mindfulness to maintain their peak physical performance. The most successful corporate executives also use mindfulness as a defense against mental burnout.
Peak Performance
Increased focused, strong leadership, a healthy mind and body… all of these are achievable through mindfulness training. It is necessary to develop the kind of masculine confidence that can elevate you from being the best in your field to the very elite.
Are you ready to get started? Contact me, Amy D the Peak Performance Expert, and we can begin that journey together.
