Your Beliefs Affect Your Self Esteem

Could your self-esteem use a boost? Do you feel comfortable and confident sometimes and at other times become a ‘shrinking violet’?

I’ve been reading a wonderful book written in the 60’s that is the basis for much of what is being written today. If you have any self-esteem issues at all or if you just want to get more out  of life you owe it to yourself to read Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz.

   Most of us have had experiences where we thought ‘less’ of ourselves and our own capabilities. These feelings may arise at school, at work, in a social situation or even at home. Perhaps someone says or does something that throws us ‘off balance’ or sends us ‘for a loop’ and this can make us doubt ourselves.

Often when we are thrown off balance by something it is triggered by old memories or old patterning that may have been learned from another. In other words even habits are not always your own-they may be modeled after a family member, a teacher, a friend, or even a co-worker. These habits or behaviours become habitual by repetition (i.e. smoking) and they ‘become’ yours. All habits, behaviours and emotions are housed within the deeper part of our mind-the subconscious.

The same is true of ‘beliefs’. What a person believes about themselves is essential to their level of self esteem. For example, if a child is repeatedly told a negative message such as, “you’ll never amount to anything” then the likelihood is, that they will struggle and perhaps never achieve their full potential as an adult. The reason for this is that the subconscious mind absorbs and retains everything. A negative comment such as this would remain deeply embedded in that part of the mind and even in adulthood that ‘belief’ or ‘old tape’ could still be playing, especially, when a person continues to believe what they were told as a child.

The good news is that these feelings and the reactions caused by them can be changed or ‘reprogrammed’. By assisting a person with these issues and really getting them to look at the root cause, a coach can help get that client back on track. To assist even further, perhaps with more deeply rooted issues, and by utilizing positive suggestions and imagery a hypnotherapist assists clients in making lasting changes by getting in touch with their deeper mind. A deep, relaxing hypnotic rest is a very safe, pleasant and enjoyable process. Hypnosis is a natural state of mind and therefore, under the control of the client.

If you truly desire to make positive lifestyle changes give health coaching or hypnotism a try. For further information visit http://www.lifeforcehealth.ca/  To book your complimentary 30 minute phone session, call 705-526-3492.

Personal Commitment

In this world of instant gratification, high speed technology and a 'quick fix' mentality it seems that many people have abdicated responsibility for taking care of themselves. This is evidenced by the growing obesity rate, the rise in substance abuse and even the number of stress related dis-eases that take their toll every year. These may include high blood pressure, heart disease/attacks, diabetes and lung disease from smoking.

In my practice I've worked with many people, whose first words are, "I'm here, fix me"! My response is always the same, "I don't have a magic wand and I can't make you do anything that you don't want to do". As a counselor and coach, I guide people to venture into their own inner awareness, to touch the 'wise one' deep inside (the subconscious mind) and offer suggestions that can help them implement change. The rest is up to the client. There must be a personal commitment to do the work necessary to achieve their goals. People need to have a true desire for evolution and growth in their lives.

Many people know something is wrong or lacking in their lives but they are so out of touch with their higher self, the issue(s) cannot even be verbalized. They may say, "I just can't put my finger on it", or a phrase similar. They may be quite clear about what they don't want but in many cases have no real idea about what they do want, and it is this dilemma that leads to confusion and inaction. Even when they believe they are clear and say they are coming for weight management or smoking cessation it is often something much deeper that emerges once the 'inner' work begins.

Unfortunately, many people fear delving to deeply and don't really want to change. This can show up as a myriad of excuses and self-sabotage. Sometimes old clichés surface (which are usually a product of much earlier conditioning) i.e. "better the devil you know, than the devil you don't". Change is frightening to many, because people are creatures of habit and prefer what is familiar, even when it is counter-productive to what they 'say' is wanted. For example, a person weighing 250 pounds may 'say' "I want to get down to 175" and then proceed to 'do' everything to sabotage getting those results. They may continue to overeat at mealtime, sit in front of the TV or computer snacking all day or just never get around to exercising.

The reason(s) for the disruption between intention and reality are usually deeply rooted in the subconscious mind and that is where they need to be addressed to produce lasting change. It's the conscious mind that 'says' what is wanted or desired, but it's the subconscious where habits, behaviours and emotions are housed and therefore, where any blockages need to be cleared. Until both parts of the mind are on the same page, any changes that are accomplished are generally short term (this may sound familiar if you've ever made a New Year's resolution).

"It takes a big person to accept full responsibility for
 their own happiness. It takes an even bigger person to accept
 full responsibility for their own unhappiness".

Quote from Mike Dooley - Founder of  http://www.tut.com/
 ~ a great inspirational website ~

Reduce Stress Naturally

Our world is changing with ever increasing speed and many people are finding it difficult to keep pace and cope on a daily basis. Although no one can control the world at large, individuals do have the power to be in charge of their personal world by controlling stress and their responses to it.

Of course a certain amount of stress, both physical and mental is normal (and healthy) for humans but too much can be fatal. According to a report on the Mayo Clinic’s website….”80% of patient visits to their doctors are stress related. Almost 60% of all employee absences from work are related to stress. The World Health Organization calls stress, a global epidemic. Over one million people (in the U.S.) die each year due to conditions/diseases related to stress. This includes obesity, lung cancer (due to smoking), heart disease and high blood pressure. Stress is also a contributing factor in arthritis, herpes, fibromyalgia, insomnia, migraines, chronic pain and infertility.”

The results of stress or the way it manifests in a person’s life is, in part, their reaction to the situation. Some of the ways in which stress ‘shows up’ are signals that need to be recognized, before more serious conditions develop. The signals may be physical, behavioural or emotional. A few of these are: Stomach aches, chest pain, fatigue, excessive sleeping or alcohol consumption, drug dependency tranquilizers), compulsive eating, anxiety, depression, low self esteem and impatience.

The good news is that these reactions can be changed or ‘reprogrammed’. By utilizing positive suggestions and imagery a hypnotherapist or hypnotist, supports clients in making lasting changes by addressing their deeper (subconscious) mind. A deep, relaxing hypnotic rest is a very safe, pleasant and enjoyable process and stress reduction is a natural by product.

Many hypnotherapists around the world believe that assisting people with stress relief is so important, that they no longer see clients for anything else. If you would like to acquire the tools to reduce stress naturally, hypnotism can be highly beneficial. A professional hypnotist, not only guides clients through stress relieving sessions and offers suggestions for coping, but also teaches self hypnosis techniques which can be utilized throughout life. If you truly desire to make positive lifestyle changes, now is the time to learn more about hypnotism.