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 | Aug 30, 2018 | Communication, Leadership, Success
Are you a leader who manages people? The answer can determine how effective you are as a leader. Employees aren’t robots. They’re people with feelings and emotions. Emotionally aware leaders balance the day-to-day work and their employees’ engagement. Their success is often a direct correlation with adaptable thinking. According to a report from the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, the benefits emotional leaders receive in the workplace are higher employee retention rates, greater commitment, and better results. In short, an emotional leader is a beacon of light to others they lead.
How can a leader not only navigate the landscape of multiple personalities and emotions, but put it to use? First, it requires decoding emotions and an understanding of visual cues. In addition, the leader will need to be able to communicate differently to individuals based on their personality styles.
Effective leaders incorporate emotion by using these four skill sets:
Leaders who are aware of their emotional state are able to control their egos. Participating in activities that assist in finding mental clarity such as meditation, hiking, reading, or exercising, leaders become more connected to themselves by disconnecting to the world around them. This allows them to look inward for perspective. Leaders who are self-aware also see clearly the strengths and weaknesses of themselves and those they lead. They can perceive emotions and address problems more thoroughly. This clarity helps master egos which is important to leading effectively.
Leaders who are aware of their emotions are better equipped to manage them. When leaders are in control of their emotions, they know how they react to others. They do not fly off the handle or make hasty decisions. Emotional leaders are aware of the impact of their own emotions on others and manage those emotions accordingly. Focusing and practicing being in the present can assist with self-management of emotions. Journaling and paying attention to one’s inner self talk is another helpful means of self-management of emotions.
Leaders who are self-aware and manage their emotions, also have the ability to pick up on others’ emotional cues. This skill is important for impactful leadership. When leaders are socially aware, they are more likely to understand the employees’ point of view and emotional response. They are also able to tailor their feedback based upon their awareness of the person’s emotional state. Leaders do this by watching, listening, and discovering others’ cues.
Leaders combine communication and team building to manage conflict and inspire employees. Clear communication is imperative, but so is understanding and empathy. Employing self-awareness, self-management, and social-awareness assists in achieving the balance within the leaders’ communication. Leaders who employ this style of communication will find it easier to cultivate relationships naturally thus reducing conflict within their team.
As already discussed, emotional leaders are present in the moment. They are connected to their feelings and have a clarity about their purpose. They keep their ego in check. With their connection to self, emotional leaders will be open to others’ emotional states. They can provide support to others whether they are doing well or struggling.
In contrast, when leaders avoid connecting to emotions, they may feel more in control, but it can have a negative impact on the organization. Control is ego driven and does not take people into consideration. As Richard Rose stated, “Ego is the single biggest obstruction to the achievement of anything.”
The Harvard Business Review, Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries talks about four toxic leadership styles. All four are deeply rooted in promoting the leader’s ego. These can be alleviated by being a leader that understands both verbal and non-verbal emotional cues.
- Narcissist. This leadership style involves an inconsiderate and selfish leader who puts their need above others for attention. These types of leaders are prone to belittling others. They are self-centered so everything must be about them. Thus, they are often exploitive.
- Manic-depressive. This leader has a way of swinging back and forth between highs and lows. These types of leaders create an environment of uncertainty. There is no middle ground with these types of leaders. For example, they may draw people to them when experiencing a high. When experience a low, these leaders blame others which comes as a surprise when experienced for the first time. While manic-depression can be an illness, it can also be a leadership style.
- Passive aggressive. This leadership style avoids confrontation even when it is staring them in the face. They express emotions, but only indirectly. With low self-esteem, they may miss deadlines and procrastinate. These types of leaders will undermine projects and blame others. They will become defense when confronted and are often contradictory. They will agree with an idea to avoid confrontation, but will sabotage it one way or another.
- Emotional disconnected. These leaders struggle to read emotional cues of others, and they have a flat manner. They often are matter of fact in their responses and appear apathetic. Their team may view them as detached and caring only about work or the job.
Emotional leaders will need to be aware of their impact on others. Exercising your mind each day to not only remain keen and precise, but also adaptable, as rigid thinking limits your paths to success. Avoiding those four toxic leadership styles will also help strengthen you as a successful leader.
Reach out to me, AmyD the Peak Performance Expert and Trainer, if you want to learn how you can transition to an emotional leader! Email me today, [email protected].
by AmyD | Jun 26, 2018 | Addiction, Choices, Emotions, Faith
Personal branding is a way of signaling to others what your unique identity, vision and values are. It’s an authentic revelation of all the things you have to offer the world.
What happens when those values or aspirations change? What happens, and how do we take the next step in our personal or professional growth? That’s where rebranding comes in.
To rebrand is to realign ourselves and our goals by harnessing new, revitalized energy. We grant ourselves new possibilities, new inspirations, and new joys. Simply put, to rebrand means to evolve.
Many people are afraid of change, even though it’s an instinctual, bioenergetic process that’s required for our spiritual growth. We are beings made of energy. We’re driven to evolve. Just like the energy that comprises us, we are constantly in motion. When we harness that powerful, catabolic potential we discover this exciting fact: that we are in an upward-trending spiral toward our highest calling.
Rebranding involves opening yourself up to new opportunities with optimism, and this mindset attracts the very best things in life. Whether it’s a new set of dedicated clients, a new service that’s in alignment with our deepest-held values, or a stronger, more supportive networking circle, we rebrand because we’re working toward something greater than we imagined before.
Energy is just like that. In an earlier blog post, I explain how altering your mindset can physically change your reality, even your biological makeup! This is exactly what rebranding does. An example of this is the branded color scheme. Branded colors are evocative of the emotional energy that’s authentic to your identity and your mission. When chosen wisely, these colors transform the attitudes of everyone who comes in contact with your brand and attracts likeminded, positive energy.
The power suit is another example of this phenomenon. A power suit is a tailored, signature work outfit meant to exude a strong sense of leadership. When you put on your power suit, you feel more confident and successful, which in turn transforms you into a person who is actually – not just potentially – confident and successful beyond their wildest dreams.
People will often rebrand themselves because their old ways of self-marketing aren’t working. Rebranding, however, is more than just a way of attracting better business. An authentic personal brand has the power to attract all the positive resources in the universe. When you change your energy, you change your material reality.
That is the purpose and magic behind rebranding. If you’re ready to embrace change, reach out to me, Amy D, Peak Performance Expert. We’ll begin that journey today!
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.
