by Paula Grissom Broughton | Mar 5, 2017 | Want Success & Happiness?
How many languages can you speak? I recently read that speaking a new language is a sign of respect and has the potential to open doors in the future. Although this article referenced learning a language of a particular country and/or culture, the same is true for how we speak about ourselves.
Let me explain…
Auto-suggestion is a subconscious adoption of an idea that one has originated oneself, often through repetition of verbal statements to oneself in order to change a particular behavior.
Simply put, it’s speaking (hopefully positively) to yourself about yourself.
Whether you believe it or not, most people actually speak negatively to themselves about themselves. How many times have you said something like the following:
“I’m fat!”
“Diets don’t work for me.”
“My job sucks!”
“I’m always juggling bills.”
“I’ll never get the house I want.”
“I’ll never have the relationship I want.”
“This is just how life is.”
Don’t you realize that your words have power? The language that you use has power to open doors to true abundance, and I believe that you can change the trajectory of your life by simply shifting your language.
Let’s practice auto-suggestions:
Instead of saying,
I’m always struggling to pay bills.
Start saying,
I am learning ways to manage my resources so I can live in financial abundance.
Instead of saying,
I’m not smart enough to start my own business.
Try saying:
I am learning and gaining all the tools I need to start my own business.
Until you get the hang of naturally using the auto-suggestion technique, try writing down 5-7 auto-suggestions, and say them in the morning after you wake up, and right before you go to sleep at night. You may even want to right out 5-7 auto-suggestion statements, place them on sticky notes around your house, and say them whenever you pass one. I’ve even recorded myself speaking my auto-suggestions.
You see, that article was correct. Learning a new language can open doors to your future.
So, what language do you speak when you talk to yourself? If it’s not the language that speaks into the destiny of your authentic self, learn a new language.
by Paula Grissom Broughton | Feb 20, 2017 | Want Success & Happiness?
After several months of seeing my therapist, I finally realized that I picked up a very detrimental behavior from my mother – family comes first… period! Although that statement takes on several meanings in different contexts, as I matured in life, I began to take that statement quite literally. I know I’m not alone on this. What did that mean for me? Well, for me that meant putting off graduate school, moving to another city that wasn’t my choice, having to work a job that I never planned on doing… and that was all within 1 year! Yes, there are times when you have to make sacrifices when it comes to family. That’s all a part of being a family. But when those sacrifices come at the expense of dishonoring your own needs, you are subject to waking up one day frustrated, bitter, and exhausted! Sounds familiar?
Although I understood my mother’s sentiments regarding putting your “family first”, continuously fulfilling the needs of others (including your own family) while forsaking your own needs and desires often comes with a cost. That’s where I had ended up. I had given up so much for the sake of my family that in return, I was unfulfilled and unhappy.
But there’s hope!
Have you ever wondered why flight attendants instruct you to place the oxygen mask on yourself first before assisting someone else? If you can’t breathe, you can’t help others. Let me put it this way, how can you really be any good to anybody else when you are not your best, authentic self?
Don’t worry! Self-care is NOT being selfish.
The primary characteristics of selfishness are: (1) Being concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself; and (2) Having no regard for the needs or feelings of others. Selfishness never produces peace and happiness. Self-care is choosing to nurture your inner needs and desires; it allows you to freely give without feeling completely depleted over overly exhausted. Self-care produces pleasure and contentment, for yourself, as well as for those who genuinely care about you.
Here are three dimensions of self-care:
Loving yourself
Loving yourself can be something as simple as giving yourself a small massage, or taking a look in the mirror and affirming yourself. “I love you just the way you are.” or “I believe in me!”
Loving your life
Show gratitude for the good and “the bad” of your life, or take yourself on a “self-date”.
Loving the things that drive you…your passion
What are you good at doing? Find the opportunity to nurture it! Create the opportunity to do it!
Remember, practicing self-care takes time before it is a part of your daily lifestyle. Be patient with yourself, and watch your life transform into something beautiful and rewarding.
by Paula Grissom Broughton | Feb 5, 2017 | Want Success & Happiness?
Have you ever been asked, “Are you a glass half-full, or a glass half-empty person?” We’re often told that optimists are those who see the glasses half-full, and pessimists…Well, you get the picture.
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by Mark Dowd | Jan 20, 2017 | Want Success & Happiness?
Have you ever felt “stuck”? You know, that feeling of stagnation, inactivity, and unproductiveness? I mean, you’ve clarified your goals and created a game plan for execution, but something doesn’t feel quite right; and this feeling of dormancy often results in feelings of frustration, annoyance, and ultimately unhappiness. (more…)