NLP is growing in popularity

NLP - Neuro linguistic programming - is growing in popularity as more and more people come to realise its power and effectiveness as a personal development tool. Self-awareness, understanding and the ability to create rapid change becomes available with these skills. It takes a sense of humour, an ability to make connections, a willingness to challenge limits in people's experience to truly be a practitioner of NLP. It's not - psychology, a way of working out "why" someone does what they do, or a "one hat fits all" approach to change. It is - a structure for discovering how someone does something and how to change it if it doesn't get the results they want. It is - a way of thinking that increases the opportunity to improve our results. It is - a playful way to create change that counts. Defined as the study of subjective experience, it's one of the most advanced forms of coaching there is, along with giving its practitioners an amazing boost to their personal and professional growth. - 

Life Without Limits

Think about this. The very first think we start to do upon entering this world is learn. We learn that when we cry, we’re fed or changed. We learn to understand that certain noises or words correspond to consistent behaviours  We are understanding machines. But as we get older: we often start to develop patterns. We feel we have an operating knowledge. We know enough to get by. Many of us lose that insatiable quest for new knowledge and untold experiences.

They say knowledge is power. I believe it is a method for transforming the power of knowledge into energy. Energy into action, and action into untold abundance of health, wealth, happiness and love. It’s not just a way of thinking about life. It’s a way of living life. It’s a way of thriving at a higher level than you've ever achieved.

Life Without Limits. Do you unintentionally set limits for yourself? Are there some things you don’t even try because you know you just won’t be any good? Then think about the phrase Life Without Limits.

No limits. No money problems. Loving your job so much it’s not work. Rewarding friendships and passionate, committed relationships. Free time to do what you desire. Think what your life would be like if truly anything was possible.

A life without limits is something to strive for. But often we must first stop following old guidance we were given, directions we chose, habits we've developed and even many of those deep-seated beliefs we hold onto dearly.

What was the best advice you've ever received? Try to remember the advice exactly the way it was given to you. Recall the circumstances when you received the advice. Was it given to you by a friend? A parent? A teacher? A mentor? A stranger? Was it written in a book?

Is the advice you were given negative or positive? Does it comment on the potential and greatness of the human spirit, or does it caution against those who would take advantage? Was it given to you as a warning or an act of encouragement?

Now think hard. Why was the advice so good? You've just declared it to be the best advice you've ever received. Why? There may be an obvious answer: but what was the bigger reason? How has it served you? How has it made your life more fulfilling or truthful? 

Your Ideal Life

To create an extraordinary life we must be able to paint a picture of what it looks like.

Imagine if everyday was your best day. Wouldn't that be great? What’s the best day of your life like? Where would you be? Who is with you? What are you doing? Can feel the smile on your face, the joy in your heart?

It is an important first step to know what true happiness means to each of us. If you don't know what will make you happy, how can you ever expect it to happen? Please take a moment to think about your best day. But don't just think about it, see yourself there experience the happiness.

Exercise: Imagine your ultimate day. Write it in the box below. Describe not only what you’d do and where you'd be, but also what you'd be feeling during your best day ever. Hold on those feelings.

Where would you live?

What would your house look like?

Who is with you?

What is the conversation about?

What are you doing?

If you don't know where you're going, you'll probably end up somewhere else.

- Laurence J. Peter

Affirmations in Daily Life

In everyday life, people can use affirmations to reprogram their minds into a more positive way of thinking.

Affirmations are statements that you can repeat silently or out loud to yourself, over and over, until the constant repetition become meaningless and you are aware only of the sound of the affirmation in your head. Although repeating statements in this way may seem pointless at first, try to persevere because they are powerful tools and can have some very positive effects on your mind and overall well-being.

Affirmation examples:

I am very confident

My body is beautiful

I am completely relaxed

Everyday in every way I am getting better and better

Please write your affirmation(s)

What is Possible?

What did you want to be when you were a child? The President of the United States? An astronaut? Quite literally, the sky was the limit, right? Well what happened? Who told you to “get real?” When did ‘paying the bills’ become more important than following your passion? Can you even remember that exact moment when you gave up on your dreams? The good news: its never too late.

Now that you know the ways of the world and the skills you have to offer: how much money do you think you could earn in a year? Under the best possible employment circumstances, what is the best you can do? Please write that figure down on the dotted line below.

_____________________________

By the end of this program, that figure will seem ridiculously low.

Limiting beliefs are usually the culprit that keeps us down. They limit what we will attempt, thus limit our possibilities. It’s your beliefs that are probably keeping you from the magic six-figure or seven figure income that you deserve. Limiting beliefs that you will soon learn to release.

If personal development was easy everyone would do it. At first, opening our minds to new beliefs can feel like a new day in the sun. All we see are the possibilities. But our old limiting beliefs will attempt to block out the light. They don’t just go away. We are pushed out of our comfort zone. We’re forced to change our behavior. We face setbacks. Doubt creeps in and then sometimes we just give up.

Something must have happened to you lately that derailed some sort of progress you were making. What was it that make you go off your diet? What kept you from getting the promotion? Really think about it, and write it down.

Now what did you write? What was your excuse? Be honest. Were there any possible ways you could have succeeded in spite of the hardships or troubles you encountered? Can you even think of one? You may have had to sacrifice something, but there was a way, wasn't there? Think about it. And write it down.

Be creative and make a choice. We are capable of more than we know.

Success is a choice. There are a zillion ways to make a million bucks. No kidding. Fun ways to make a million.

Exercise:

Take a few minutes right now to write out a paragraph or two describing the ideal you. Remember, no limits or restrictions whatsoever. This is your pie-in-the-sky-life. You can be who you want to be, do anything this world has to offer.

It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power. - Alan Cohen

Some Simple Truths

To begin living a fulfilling life, we first have to understand some simple truths. When we commit ourselves to excellence, and we do whatever necessary to bring about the best in our lives, remarkable changes take place. You can change your reality, literally, by the hour. By the minute, By the moment.

Within your mind is all your knowledge. We’ll call it what you know. It is an immense amount of information. What you know is not simply book learning. It’s everything you’ve ever learned from tying bows on your shoe to balancing your checking account. It includes all your experiences, feelings, and observations—everything from the best steak house in town, to the fact that ladybugs are cute and harmless.

There’s also a whole lot of information that you know you don’t know. You are least aware that this information exists. Einstein’s Theory of Relativity or Bebe Ruth’s lifetime batting average, or the reason for the Pelopenisian Wars. An immense amount of information you have stored in the ‘what you know’ category, there’s much, much more in the ‘know you don’t know’ file.

Finally, there is the information that you don’t even know you don’t know. You’ve never even heard about it. The amount of information in this category is mind boggling. But most importantly, it’s within this body of knowledge that your ultimate success is located.

For most of us, life could be a bed of roses. If only we knew how and where to find the exact information required to live out our fondest dreams. And how to utilize that information once we did find it.

There is no magic pill. But that doesn’t mean there is no magic.

The knowledge we require is out there. And believe it or not, the knowledge required to find it is within us, right inside our heads.

For everyone it is different. For anyone who truly wants it, it is there. We are all on a journey, Your Personal Journal simply directs you to the path.

Remember, everything in the universe affects everything else. The universe is dynamic. Alive and very connected.

Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside them was superior to circumstances. - Bruce Barton

Be Conscious Of Your Consciousness

We are like magnets - like attract like. You become AND attract what you think

Law of attractions:

You get want you focus on. That sounds simple enough. But often, the more things seem simple, the more complex they are below the surface. And vice versa.

For instance, you are focused on someone with whom you’d like to have a relationship. They are seemingly the perfect person for you. Your feelings are deep. You want it badly. You are focused like a laser beam. You want that person. Since you focus is n strong desire, the result is that you get more of that. More desire, more longing.

If they don’t feel quite the same way about you, most likely that will be a major concern to you. Wondering if you are not good enough. Bemoaning the fact that your attention isn't being returned. Again, you are getting more of what your mind is focused on. More unreturned love. More feelings or inadequacy.

So how can you do it differently? Instead of focusing on your outgoing need and desire for the person, you instead concentrate on their incoming attention and respect toward you. That is really what you want anyway. Replay in your mind, how the object of your affection desires you and would benefit from a relationship with you. Your mind will behave in ways that are consistent with your new concentration. A likely result is that your attitude and behavior change. Instead of portraying a lovesick image, you instead portray desirability. Instead of focusing on your own overwhelming need, your mindset becomes mutual contentment. You become more intriguing  more confident, more of an equal partner, and thus more suitable. It is a different way of seeing things, a different way to think.

You get what you focus on, so be careful of the way you focus.

A simple thought doesn't travel far, but like a ray of light, a thought is most powerful when it is concentrated, centered and repeated. Think of a magnifying glass, and how, by focusing light into a small and powerful beam, and holding it still and true, you can create fire. It is the same with thought. Its power lies in the intensity, consistency and focus. The more the thought is repeated and formed, the more power and energy it generates.

We do far too little thinking and too much doing. Our conscious mind will always have something to keep us occupied. There are a million tasks to divert our attention. There’s another thing to do every time you turn around. But take a moment. Stop constantly reacting to the endless bombardment of events and demands, and face yourself. Look inside. The real power is within you. It’s not what you do, but how you think. To make progress toward the true desires you have inside, you must first engage the inner mind. Think and live as if you already are in possession of you goals. Live out your dreams inside first, and you will be astonished at how the daily events in your life will then support your progress.

Exercise: Journal Code: AFM

Set aside a time each day when you know you can think clearly. Put it on your calendar. Set a timer. Find the time. Utilize this time to set your inner priorities and focus on their attainment. Once you get the hang of it, you will only require 5 to 10 minutes. But it is essential time that is uninterrupted and dedicated to your personal growth.

Start by sitting comfortably. Close your eyes if need be. Take a breath and let out all the tension and thoughts that will be rushing to your mind. Begin by repeating short and supportive sentence, either silently or aloud. Whatever feels natural. Repeat it twenty times. Let it settle into your mind. Perhaps the following phrase will work for you. It’s been used throughout the years and was once immortalized in a John Lennon song.

Every day in every way, I'm getting better and better.

Say it with feeling. Understand each word completely as you repeat and ingrain them into your mind. In between the sentences, you may want to add a few specifics. ‘ I'm a better speaker. I’m a more loving father.’

Later on in Your Personal Journey we will add some additional mental exercises to perform during this time. But think of this as stretching. Begin now with setting aside the time for yourself. Time you own yourself. Time you deserve.