Think Better = Live Better!

How to Get Everything That You Want

Did you know that by just talking to yourself differently and repeating a few words daily, you can change your mind – and your life?

Yes, you can!

By using positive affirmations you can re-train your brain and change your life!

Repeating positive statements over and over can produce new neural pathways in our brains – new habitual thoughts.

And, that is VERY good news!

What are thinking right now?

Catch the thought – what is it?

Well, let me ask you, are you feeling good or bad?

If you are feeling good then you are thinking good thoughts.

If you are stressed, irritated or just feeling “not so hot” you need a frontal lobotomy!

Or, we could just try some affirmations.

Affirmations have changed my life – so I “do” affirmations daily.

Would you like to feel better every day AND have better results?

Then try positive affirmations.

Positive affirmations are up-lifting and lead you to creating new beliefs that will make you feel strong and serve you in every area of your life.

Positive affirmations will get you where you need to be!

"Feel Better in 30 Seconds!"

“Winning Strategy for Positive Affirmations”

Steps to Creating Positive Affirmations that create change!

1. Set goals – and make them into affirmations

Goal: Affirmation

I enjoy my work I am appreciated by all – working here is a ball!

I lose weight. I weigh 178 and I feel great!

I have a great marriage. I am crazy in love. My (spouse name) is a gift from above!

2. Repeat the affirmations daily – the more often the better.

3. Say them with ENERGY!

4. Write them on cards and post them around the house.

5. ACTION: write one affirmation right NOW ___________________________

What can you expect?

The result: people feel

• more productive
• better results
• more calm and focused
• work life balance is improved

Give it a try and let me know how you feel!

Stay Calm

In Jim Collins book, “Good to Great” says the “fox knows many things but the Hedgehog knows one thing: eliminate unnecessary suffering.”

Today I am going to help you eliminate unnecessary suffering so that you can have all the success, abundance and peace that you deserve.

Suffering is fighting against what is and what you want to be. Eckhart Tolle says that by being in the present moment can help eliminate suffering.

But the good news is that you are

Exactly where you need to be on your path right now! All the suffering and challenges you have prepared you for the journey you are on now, for the joy that you can experience right now, in this moment and in many moments to come.

Stay Calm

No matter what the other person does, come from a place of peace.

Story

This, I am finding, is especially important if you have teenagers.

The more excited, irritated and high strung they get, the calmer you need to be.

This past summer my daughter went away to camp. At 13 that means shopping for new clothes, the right sneakers and even socks. She saved her money, bought what she needed – an investment, and away she went. She was very excited to go and had a wonderful time. That is, until she returned from camp, hormones and all. She wasn’t in the house 5 minutes before the front door flew open. As I came up the walk I saw clothes flying.

“They’re RUINED!” she shouted.

I was in a calm place – took the clothes and told her that they would be OK.

Thought, “How would the best Mom possible handle this?”

Texted her that the swimsuit was 100% OK and the shorts were getting there. She texted back, “OK.”

When you come from a place of stress you have 2% of your problem solving capacity available to you.

2%!

So, how do we achieve a place of calm?

1. DECIDE that you are Calm

Say, “I choose to be calm, to be in the moment.”

2. Walk Away

Take a time out – like I did this morning when my hormonal daughter was out of control.

3. Close Your Eyes/Meditate

I will meditate when I am at a stop light, getting my hair cut, nails done, etc.

I explain what I am doing and shut my eyes.

4. Be in the Moment

ALL your joy is in the moment – all your opportunity.

Pay attention to what you are doing in the moment.

Mindfulness reduces stress, overeating, anxiety, depression, improves

Health, increases joy and peace of mind.

5. Go Outside

Nature has a way of calming and enlivening us. Take a break when you can.

Benefits: reduced stress, increased peace.

6. The best question for a calm mind – “Is that true?” (Back to Reality)

Example: “My daughter is an out of control teenager!”

Ask, “Is it true?”

Answer, “No”

How do you FEEL when you believe that thought?

DROP the thought that doesn’t serve you.

7. Your mind is like a garden – plant CALM thoughts
   • Alter your thoughts and you will alter your circumstances

• You want calm, your body wants calm, your spirit, the authentic you functions best on calm.

• You influence those around you with your being – which comes from your thoughts.

• Calm, productive thoughts = calm mind = great results

• Your mind will grow weeds unless you plant thoughts that are positive and serve you well.

8. To Maintain Your Focus, Your Calm, Ask Questions:
   • What do I want?

• What am I creating?

• What is my intention?

• What can I do to make this easier, more loving on myself?

9. Breathe

Years ago, I learned the "Four Square" method of breathing to reduce anxiety:

1. Breathe in slowly to a count of four.
2. Hold the breath for a count of four.
3. Exhale slowly through pursed lips to a count of four.
4. Rest for a count of four (without taking any breaths).
5. Take two normal breaths.
6

Question your thoughts to allow change.

In my courses I teach about meditation which allows us to be more calm, focused and present.

Ask yourself when you have a thought that is giving you pain, “is that true?”

Repeat over and over again, “I am calm”

When you are stressed you are fighting – there is a struggle between where you want to be and where you are.

Notice the thought and decide where you want to be.

Choose your emotion – how you want to be.

If you want to be happy, you must think happy thoughts.

What's the Possibility?

YOU are amazing and have all the potential you need to achieve ANYTHING that you set your heart on today!

And, you are exactly where you need to be on your path.

So, you may say, “Why am I in a place where I don’t want to be?”

It may be that you are resisting it, not focusing on the gifts that you already possess. Or, you could simply be too tired, too worn, too overwhelmed.

Either way, it’s your thoughts – your brain that is giving you the problems, the challenges. It is not the situation. It never is.

What is troubling, challenging or sad right now is here to teach you a lesson – to help you reach your wildest dreams.

And, if you resist whatever that is – it will persist. It will “hang around.”

What you resist persists.

“You’re never thrown into a situation or given an experience accidentally.”

Mike Dooley

Why? Because you keep thinking about it – you keep it in the forefront.

Is your mind on a relationship that doesn’t work? On your weight that isn’t where you want it to be? Accept it. But allow other options.

Allow the idea that it can be another way if you welcome the possibility. Just be open to the idea that it could be – that it may be possible.

That will open your mind up to letting the new idea germinate – you will let in hope that previously hadn’t been there before.

And sometimes hope is all you need.

"Feel Better in 30 Seconds!"

“Winning Strategy for Possibility Thinking”

Steps to Think of the Possibilities!

1. Focus on what you want – and make it bigger than what you may think is possible. This “possibility thinking” challenges your subconscious and conscious mind to stretch – to create what could be – with solutions.

2. Know that you don’t have to have the answer – but you need the question.

Perhaps the question is:

What is possible for me?

What do I need to do NOW?

What one step would change this from WORRY to WONDERFUL?

“Wonderful = I feel better because I have taken action.”

3. Notice what comes up – your work, relationship, a project that needs preparation, an upcoming speech (OOPS – that’s me!)

4. ACT on the idea. Just one little tiny baby step – to get you where you want to be.

Action will override the inertia – it will help change the situation into a RESULT in an area of your life that needs attention.

5. WRITE down your commitment: Today I will ___________________________

How To Re-Energize Your Life Part 2

Take 2 minutes with me to feel better NOW!

YOU are remarkable!

You are unique and can achieve any goal that you set your mind to.

Definiteness of purpose is the key.

KNOW what you want!

Be clear on why you are here.

Brian Tracy in his fabulous book, “Goals How to Get Everything You

Want Faster Than you Ever Thought Possible,” asks the question,

“What one great thing would you dare to dream if you knew that you could not fail?

Take 30 seconds to be ENERGIZED about your life!

1. Ask “What one great thing would I dare to dream if I knew that I could not fail?”

Answer the question in first person, positive, present tense.

Write down as many thoughts as come to your mind.

“I weigh 135 pounds”

“I earn $100,000 per year.”

“I have a new home worth $300,000.”

Write until you run out of ideas.

2. Take your top goal and write as many ideas as you can to achieve it.

Examples: (For weight loss)

“I eat only when I am hungry”

“I stop when I am satisfied”

“I eat foods I love”

(For business success)

“I have a clear written business plan”

“I re-write my goals each day.”

“I complete 3 high value activities each day”

3. Take action immediately on ONE of those ideas.

DECIDE!

Do one thing differently today – one baby step towards your dream!

Again,

Ask “What one great thing would I dare to dream if I knew that I could not fail?”

DO IT NOW!!!

Are you in the top 5% with written goals and action orientation?

Do you want to be happier, healthier?

READY to change your life FOREVER?

I have a wonderful LIMITED OFFER TO LOSE WEIGHT FOREVER!

AND, BONUS ONE-ON-ONE COACHING!

- lose weight

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Click on this link to find out more!

Please let me know how this is working for you: paula@ClaimYourBestLife.com

Losing Weight By Having Fun (Part 4)

My month-long birthday blog! Focus: having fun like a 5 year old!

You must see this video! If you “do” your affirmations with this energy it will CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg

Make sure that you see part #1 and part #2 – SO FUN!

Don’t forget: use affirmations – positive, personal, and present-tense statements to help you “look” for the fun.

Affirmations keep you focused on what you WANT.

“I love TODAY – how will I have FUN today” (5 year old you)

AFFIRMATIONS #4 – YOUR GATEWAY TO FUN!

One of my newest clients is constantly “talking” to herself with affirmations and “catching” the thoughts that don’t serve her.

She notices her negative thoughts that make her feel bad and CHANGES them to ones that feel good.

Example: Ginger the cat just jumped up on my chair – a distraction.

First thought about Ginger – “I need to focus on getting this written – go away Ginger.”

Next thought – “I CAN have FUN – and Ginger the cat can be my joy, and calming influence.”

Next thought: “This is a great way to get my work done!”

STOP and re-focus on what could be.

NOTICE: how you “treat” others is what you are doing/saying to yourself!

When I am intolerant of Ginger or others, I am impatient with myself.

SHOW EVERYONE LOVE! And you will be better able to love yourself!

Powerful Affirmations:

“I like myself.”

“I love myself.”

“I approve of myself.”

“I eat when I am truly hungry.”

“I deserve the best.”

“I am an excellent at my job!”

Want to add POWER to these – to get them into your subconscious where they will do the most good?

Add ENERGY like Jessica does in the video and HAVE FUN!

HINT: you must say it with enthusiasm to get it into the subconscious!

Please let me know how this is working for you: paula@ClaimYourBestLife.com

And if you love this stuff, please forward this on to 3 friends who are incredible women like you!

Today’s point: you can CREATE FUN every day!

To FEEL better – repeat the affirmations and decide to live in JOY!

Hint: Using affirmations ALL day will make you feel WONDERFUL! - - - Put your top 3 affirmations on index cards

• repeat them 2-3 times a day with ENERGY!
• Let me know how wonderful you feel!

WINNING STRATEGIES – “Eat Fun Foods You Love!”

Summer is almost over in the South (finally! I need a little break from the heat) but zucchini is still abundant. I like to make these, freeze them and warm them in the microwave (30 seconds at “5” power) for breakfast. Make sure that you add some protein to your breakfast – eggs, egg whites, high protein cereal with skim or soy milk – so that you will have sustained energy!

Enjoy!

Zucchini Bread

(makes 2 loaves)

3 eggs

2 tsp. baking soda

½ cup veg. oil

½ cup applesauce

¼ tsp. baking powder

½ cup

1 Tbsp. cinnamon

1 Tbsp. vanilla

½ tsp. salt

1 tsp Stevia powder or 1¾ cup Agave syrup or 1 ¾ cup Splenda

Stevia powder is a natural product and a great sugar substitute. I find it on-line or at “health food” stores. (Shouldn’t ALL stores be health food stores?)

2 cups coarsely grated, packed zucchini

¼ cup ground flax seed (optional)

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup white flour

1 c. chopped walnuts

Mix all of the above by hand in a large bowl. Pour into bread pans that have been sprayed with Pam and floured, OR into mini-muffin pans.

Bake the loaves at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Bake the mini-muffins for 12-15 minutes. Since ovens are different, check the mini muffins often.

Enjoy!

Relaxation Response Technique

How to Do It

1. Sit in a comfortable position with your eyes closed. Try to relax your muscles.

2. Notice your breathing, and repeat a word or prayer silently to yourself as you exhale.

3. When your mind wanders (as it will) just notice it and bring your mind back to your breathing.

4. Do this for 5 -20 minutes a day (or even start with 1-2 minutes). The more you do it the more benefits you will notice. You may find it helpful to set a quiet alarm or chime so that you can focus on the meditation the entire time and come out of it peacefully.

The relaxation response embodies a form of meditation which has been practiced for centuries. This technique can be found in every major religious tradition. It is a simple technique, but one that you may initially resist; it seems a “waste of time” since you will find your mind wandering and you may grow impatient.

Hang in there! As you incorporate it into your life you may find the following benefits:

• increased calm and focus
• you will be able to relax more easily when you feel stressed (hint: go back to the breath)
• you may “hear” the answers to your most challenging questions (God often speaks to us through “intuition” or thoughts that we have during prayer and meditation).

And, for those of us who believe that we have to be “doing,” this non-doing will bring so much calm, peace and answers to you that you will wonder how you managed without it all these years!