When you are looking to make transformational changes in your life, making mistakes along the way is absolutely fine! After all, the best changes are those that happen by mistake – so never be afraid to experiment.

However, to save you some time and to help get you started on the path to whatever life-changing transformations you seek, here are 4 essential tools and how to use them:

1. Affirmations. The words we use and the words of others can have a profound impact on both our happiness and choices. Affirmations can help us to really take advantage of that, using positive words for positive change.

For those who have yet to use affirmations for the first time, an affirmation is a spoken statement that you say to yourself. For example, ‘I am happy and healthy’. Preferably spoken in the first person and for maximum impact – repeated – the purpose of an affirmation is to swap our negative thought patterns and belief systems for positive ones. So, try playing around with affirmations you find most useful for you. Write them down, repeat them in the mornings – give affirmations some of your time and you will discover just how effective they can be.

2. Journalling  The idea of journalling can get a bad rep. However, this isn’t about putting pen to paper with the kind of teenage angst journalling is often associated with.

Our external lives are a reflection of what’s going on inside of us. So, when you’re confused about why you’re struggling to make life changes or why things just aren’t going your way, it is important to do the internal work to better understand why your current situation is the way it is. Journalling can be extremely powerful for this. There are many journalling options available to you; why not try writing down your stream of conscious? Separate the whirlwind of thoughts spinning through your mind, for better clarity in any situation. Or, why not write down your intention for each day? This will help your mind remain focused on what you want, rather than what you don’t.

3. Visualisation. If we really are the creators of our own lives, then maybe it’s about time we made our imaginations a little bigger? The bigger our imaginative thinking, the more brilliant our lives are going to be. This is where visualisation comes in handy.

So – if you have set yourself some goals for change, try visualising how making those changes is going to feel. Think about what emotions you want to experience, what your surroundings will look like, the people that you’ll see, how you’ll look and what you’ll say. Get down to the nitty gritty and get really specific in your mind about what it is that you want. Using visualisation in this way will prove really helpful, as you’ll become more positive and excited about everything – helping you to emit the best energies for what you want to achieve.

4. Gratitude. An attitude of gratitude is essential for success in every aspect of your life! When we practice gratitude in everything we do, our minds are trained to look for the good in our situations. This makes it the perfect attitude shifter; moving our attention from the negative to the positive.

Developing an attitude of gratitude starting today is simple. Every day, try keeping your very own gratitude list. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy or time-consuming! Every day, simply jot down or think about at least 5 – 10 things that you are thankful for. At first, it may feel like you have nothing to be grateful for, but when you really look at your life you’ll find more and more reasons to give thanks. Hot water, a warm bed, the kind words of friends, the air in your lungs, the use of your legs, the birds outside your window – it could be anything and everything!

With tools like these under your belt, making life changes – big or small – will be easy! Never be afraid to ask others for help and remember, small steps can result in big action.

Good luck!

But when we want to become more of ourselves, our authentic selves right now, where do we start?

The best way to begin would be to ask yourself the more pressing question at hand – how do I stop being who I am not?

You see, we are always who we are meant to be. Our biggest mistakes, our greatest loves, our most painful betrayals or beautiful friendships; these are all a part of who we are. However, to fulfil your potential and live a life true to who you are, you need to strip back the things that are shrouding the real, authentic you from sight.

Enforced stereotypes, fixations with how others see us, a need for approval, painful memories, an obsession with image – these all contribute to the painful girdle that suppresses and squeezes our real selves from sight. The real you that wants to break out and cartwheel around naked for the entire world to see!

Who Are You Running From?

How will you ever have the chance to connect with your authentic, beautiful self when you’re always running? You need to stop. Stop and take a long, hard look at the YOU in the present.

You are not the person you were yesterday, nor do you know who you will be tomorrow. So, stop living unconsciously and take the time to appreciate the person you are today. Living in the present this way, will allow the good and the crazy and the creator that is all you to reveal itself more and more every day.

What Will You Stop Doing?

So, who will you stop being? Begin to let go of any action, behaviours or thought patterns that you know are not aligned with your authentic self.

It could be something big, like how difficult you find it to forgive others, or it could be something as simple as learning to say no to experiences you don’t enjoy. So many of us have become stuck in a rut of acting a certain way or fitting into others perception of us, that we find ourselves drifting further and further from the things that really matter to us most.

So, make a promise to let go of something today. Dreams, goals, ambitions, daily to-dos – anything you know is not serving the person you want to be, choose to let them go.

Who Are You NOT?

When we behave, think or act in a way that is not true to whom we are – there is pain involved. It could come in the disguise of a shopping addiction, binge eating, anger or excessive exercise.

Whatever it is, if you know that this is not the person you really are, you need to get to the root of where this pain is coming from. Understanding the origin of this ‘stranger’ in your life will help you to exorcise it for good.

Little by little, as you begin to rid yourself of the old, heavy burdens that have held you back for so long, your true, authentic self will have more and more space to shine.

One thing you can be certain of is that you are love. So, in your search for yourself, understand that this love is enough and with this understanding, that you are already living as your true self.

Becoming our authentic selves is the bravest, most essential, most loving thing we can do; and as long as you are striving for this, you have already succeeded.

Wouldn’t it have been great to have learnt about it at a younger age? To have grown up powerful and strong in the knowledge that our entire world was our own to create? Oh, how differently we may have chosen to live our lives…

If you want more for your children, for them to grow up with a good understanding of the Law of Attraction and what they are capable of – they can! Many people would love to improve certain aspects of their family lives. They might want more money, more time spent together as a family; but what they probably want most, is for their children to grow up confident and happy in themselves and the paths they choose to follow.

Do you want these things? Here is the basic Law of Attraction 101 for tips that will transform your family, and you, for the better:

Tip #1: Think About What You Want

An easy introduction to the Law of Attraction is to simply stop thinking about what you don’t want. A recognisable example of this within the home is when as parents we become fixated on everything our children are not doing, rather than what they are.

Leaving wet towels on the floor, forgetting to do chores after you’ve asked them, slamming doors. We allow ourselves to get hung up on the negatives.

Set an example to your children and tell the universe what you want, by paying more attention to the things that you do like. A smiling teenager coming through the door, family sat around the table – what we give our attention to, we will attract into our lives by the two-fold.

Tip #2: ‘Don’t, Not and No’ – Why To Avoid Them

This is a great tip for everyone and should be shared with the entire family!

The universe is like a great mirror; it magnifies and reflects back into our lives the energies, thoughts and emotions we emit most. So what can be done to ensure that these energies are as positive as possible?

The secret to this is simple – cancel out the words ‘Don’t, not and no’. Apply it to the way you talk to your kids. For example, when you tell them ‘No TV after 10’, all they are hearing is ‘TV after 10’ – see the problem?

Change your language, with both your family and the universe. It’ll revolutionise the way your family feels and thinks.

Tip #3: What Do You Want?

Teaching your family to be solution focused, not problem focused, is arguably one of the greatest gifts you can give them. After all, an individual that lives their life in a spirit of positivity, rather than negativity, is going to create a much happier, abundant and successful life for themselves.

We are all prone to the occasional moaning or bouts of self-pity – we are human after all – but when someone in your family has become trapped on a treadmill of negativity, ask them – what do you want?

When you stop and take a moment to ask yourself what it is that you want, your energies instantly shift from the negative into the positive. You begin to feel better and what once seemed a problem is no longer a problem at all.

Tip #4: Speak Up

Unless we speak up and state what we want, how will the universe (or our families, for that matter) know what we want from them? A household where the needs and opinions of everyone are expressed – lovingly, never selfishly – is a happy one.

When everyone knows what is expected of them, this creates an atmosphere of calm and purpose; essential for authentic self-expression and happiness for all.

Create an environment for yourself and your children where speaking up about your needs is encouraged. Keep the same attitude in mind for using the Law of Attraction. After all, if you don’t ask you’ll never get!

There it is – the Law of Attraction 101 for you and your family!

Introducing these powerful LOA tips to your household will not only help bring you and your family closer together, but will provide everyone with the basics they’ll need to apply the Law of Attraction to every area of their lives.

Our thoughts, positive or negative, will inevitably always become our reality. So, why is it that even with this knowledge we still find it hard to muster the positive attitude we need to be our best selves?

Sometimes, even the most well-equipped and knowledgeable of us can struggle to hold onto the positive mind-set we need to live our most brilliant lives. But why?

It’s All a Big Game

No matter how self-aware, how present or mindful we may think we are, sometimes, there are bigger, self-defeating games at play. These games are the ones that we play unconsciously; they are the games we have unknowingly got into the habit of playing in our minds, blind to the undermining effect they are having on our health and happiness.

Self-defeatist mentalities, an ‘excuses’ mind-set or even the classic ‘I’ll show them!’ thought processes – all of these are internal games we can become accidental players in from time to time.

But you have to ask yourself – when I unknowingly partake in these games, do I come out as the winner or the loser? Do these games serve as a distraction or as a valuable tool in helping me to reach my goals?

For a win-win outcome, you need to learn to recognise when you’ve become a player in a game that you’ll never win.

Listed below are 7 self-defeating games people can fall victim to. Take a look at these most common thought patterns and ask yourself – which games have I been playing?

1. ‘I’ll Show Them!’ In either our arrogance or spitefulness, we can all be guilty of falling into this hurtful mind-set. When we start to think like this, we can challenge our own stubborn limits – determined to remain steadfast in our bitterness. But when you hear yourself thinking like this, think about who you are really hurting. Is it the other person, or is it you? When you’re trying to hurt other people in this way, the only person getting hurt is yourself.

2. ‘I’ll Be Happy When…’ I’ll be happy when…I have that new job/car/slim body. Sound familiar? The game of perfection is a dangerous one. Unattainable goals and drastic quests for perfection will only dent your confidence and leave you feeling drained. Learn to be happy on the journey and you’ll reach the final outcome all the happier, healthier and more positive because of it.

3. ‘I Won’t Succeed So Why Bother?’ We might take on this defeatist attitude for all kinds of reasons. However, when we do we deprive ourselves of all kinds of experiences. Can you think of the last time you were too afraid to try something or go somewhere, but when you did, it turned out to be one of the memorable moments of your life? Remember – ‘success begins with a fellow’s will’.

4. ‘I’m Right, You’re Wrong’ Giving into our stubborn side can sometimes be all too easy. After all, nothing feels better than the satisfaction of knowing you’re right and they’re wrong? Right? Whilst the temptation to prove somebody wrong may sometimes be overwhelming, would you really be so keen if you knew you were hurting somebody in the process? Recognise when you’re acting the know-it-all and learn to be humble. Saying, ‘I think I understand where you are coming from…’ is a good start for compassionate, two-way conversation.

5. ‘I’m Not Good Enough’ Is there a continual loop of negative, self-dialogue playing in your head? If there is – and it’s usually when we find ourselves outside of our comfort zones – it’s time to change the record. Learn to play a new, more positive game. It’s called self-confidence. The next time that little voice of doubt begins to creep in, repeat to yourself the follow mantra – ‘I am safe. I am love. I am enough’.

6. ‘See If I Care…’ “You don’t want me any more? See if I care”, “You don’t want to listen to what I have to say? See if I care”. Have you ever heard yourself saying something along these lines, either aloud or internally? Most of us are probably familiar with this way of thinking – it’s a common self-defence mechanism we use, mistakenly believing it will protect us from the hurt others have caused us. The problem with this is that no matter how good you think you are at hiding it; people will see that you care. However, an attitude like this will be confused by others for spite and stubbornness. So, be the adult; talk about your feelings honestly and you will save yourself a world of pain.

7. ‘It’s All Their Fault!’ When something goes wrong in our lives, whether it’s on a minute or momentous scale, our knee-jerk response is often to blame somebody else. After all, who enjoys looking at their own shortcomings or misdeeds? But really, how is pointing the finger at others going to serve you or your happiness? The person you should really be pointing the finger at, is yourself. Your life and its outcomes are all a direct result of you. So quit playing the blame game and become accountable for your own life.

Are your self-defeating mind games holding you back from the life you truly want? Learn to stop sabotaging your happiness and you’ll become the winner of the greatest game there is – life!

There is a particular attitude that sets the magnificent apart from the mediocre. The great Walt Disney knew this all too well – it’s called the success attitude.

Some people are born with it, others have to develop it, but what we know for certain is this – those that have an attitude of success are often remembered for the great lives they led.

Look at the life of Walt Disney. Leaving behind him a legacy of magic and dreams, Walt is still regarded today as the poster boy for possibility. After all, if his life taught us one thing, it was that anything is possible.

It was his unwavering belief in possibility and a life without limits that gave Walt the success attitude that helped him to become the great man we remember today. He wasn’t born into success; but those that met him would have believed otherwise. He lived his entire life in a success mind-set. It is said that when he headed West to pursue his dreams, Walt sold everything that he owned – all so that he could travel with a first class ticket. What a better example than this, to demonstrate the success attitude that helped him start it all?

If you too were to master an attitude of success, there would be no ceilings to what could be possible for you.

Walt Disney was once famously quoted as saying ‘Think, believe, dream and dare’. Let’s take a closer look at each of these, for a clearer understanding of the success attitude and how you too can use it for bolder, more successful living.

1. Think

Every action, every fulfilled dream, and every pursued passion – they must all begin with a thought.

It is as the Law of Attraction teaches us, where our mind goes our reality follows. So, rid your mind of all limits and negativity and begin to think BIG. This will help you start laying the foundations on which you are going to build your dreams.

2. Believe

Before you receive, you must first learn how to believe. Having a dream or an idea is not enough; you need to believe that they are possible for you. After all, when something is not believable to you, you’re never really going to give it all the energy and attention it needs to become a reality.

Remember how Walt Disney sold all of his possessions for a first class ticket that guaranteed him nothing? He brought that ticket with the belief that it would take him to his dreams – and it did. Learn to have the same level of conviction in your dreams.

3. Dream

As children, we are continually sharing with others what we dream of doing when we grow up. Never lose this. Live your life forever in awe and anticipation of your dreams. When you fulfil one – don’t forget to dream up others.

Most importantly of all – DREAM BIG. You are a limitless being so why settle for the mediocre and mundane? Everything is possible for you – live your life in this knowledge and let it inspire you to dream bolder, bigger and better.

4. Dare

To chase the magnificent and marvellous, you have to have daring. Walt Disney lived a daring life and it paid off. So, how daring are you willing to get in pursuit of your dreams?

Be a leader; pursue your dreams relentlessly and strive to make the impossible, possible. I dare you.

There are no limits to what you can have, be or achieve. Walt Disney called himself a success long before anyone else did. Why not do the same?

Being happy is about embracing who you really are and this means facing up to what you really want from life.

In romantic relationships this is especially important. Too many people believe that they must stifle or adjust their needs to suit those of a potential partner. Perhaps they believe that changing their needs will make them more lovable? Maybe they are afraid of being alone, so will do anything to stay in a relationship – even if this means putting their needs second?

When you change or hide away your needs in a relationship, it may seem to work at first. However, once the heat of new love begins to cool and you’ve been overlooking your needs for some time – the cracks will slowly but surely begin to show.

Unbelievably, many people are completely unaware of what their needs even are. They have lived their lives so hungry for acceptance, determined to fit into a ‘normal’ relationship, that they have totally neglected to find what it is that they want.

Do you feel as though you are always putting the needs of others before your own in your romantic relationships? Do you struggle to ask for what you want, or feel guilty when you do?

If this sounds like you, then maybe it’s time you asked yourself – ‘What do I need?’

Listening to your needs and communicating them is an essential ingredient for self-love. After all, how can you ever be the recipient of true love in a relationship, unless you have learnt to love yourself first?

Consider the following 4 points, to begin understanding and successfully sharing your needs in a relationship.

1. What Are Your Needs?

Can’t answer that question? Then they are most certainly not being met. However, unless you’ve asked yourself this question before, how would you know what they are?

So ask yourself now – what do I need? What do I need from a relationship in order to feel loved, supported, joyful etc.?

This is not about what you think you should want. It shouldn’t be about what makes relationships work in the movies; listen to your gut, listen to you. Do you need more fun? More alone time? More spontaneity?

Be honest with yourself and consider whether or not these needs are being met in your current relationship. If they are not, then there’s no need to panic quite yet! This can all be changed for the better…

2. Having Needs Does Not Make You Selfish.

When pondering their needs for the first time, a lot of people can feel a sense of guilt. They feel guilty for wanting something they’re not currently getting, worried that it makes them selfish.

This is not the case at all. A lifetime of putting yourself second and people-pleasing is to blame for feeling this way. You have to remember – honouring your needs, both in relationships and life in general is an important part of self-love. How we treat ourselves dictates how others treat us. So see your needs as important and your partner will too.

3. Make Your Needs Known.

Your needs are a reflection of your true, authentic self. You shouldn’t want to bury them away out of sight, you should want to embrace them, share them!

A happy relationship is one where both people are able to communicate their needs freely and honestly. It should not be about one person’s needs whilst the other moulds or suppresses theirs to conform. It should be about a relationship based on authenticity, communication and a real desire to support both your own and the other person’s needs – equally.

Sometimes, in order to meet another’s needs all we need to do is give them space. That’s it. No one should be accountable for another person’s happiness; that doesn’t make for a healthy relationship. Making your needs a priority’s as well as your partner’s, however, does.

4. Nurture Them!

First and foremost, you and only you can ensure that your needs are being met.

Identifying those needs, voicing them and then taking steps to ensure that they are being met is your responsibility. Tend to your needs in this way and not only will your own personal happiness improve by the tenfold, by your relationship happiness will sky-rocket!

By acknowledging your needs in a relationship, you are bringing your true, authentic self into the relationship. Encourage your other half to do the same and that’s when relationship magic will start to happen.

For greater authenticity, self-love and a more connected, blissful relationship ask yourself the all-important question – what are my needs?

You may be surprised by your answers; you may have known them all along. Whatever you discover you can be sure of this, both you and your relationship will be changed for the better because of it.

But what, exactly, is talent? And is talent something we are born with, or something that we have to work for?

Whether you’ve got it or not, this post has the answers you need.

What is ‘talent’?

We all know or know of someone that we would describe as ‘talented’. This person could be anyone, from your favourite guitarist to your husband with his unwavering ability to cook delicious family meals for all every night.

Talent comes in all shapes and sizes; but what is it about these ‘talents’ that make them just that? If you think about all of the talented people you know, the one thing that they have in common is that they make what they do look easy.

These people that you admire for their talent have been practising whatever it is for so long or for so often that to you their talent looks almost second nature. But were they born with this ability, say, to play the guitar or finely chop a courgette at astonishing speed? No – of course not! They learnt the long and hard way, with precision, efficiency and most importantly of all – practice.

This leads us to what is arguably the key secret ingredient for talent…

Bucket Loads of Passion!

We may find that we are naturally good at some things, maybe even a lot of things. But without that passion, that’s all we’ll ever remain – good.

Talent is about having both skill and passion for something. Passion bridges the gap between being good and being great.

We can be skilled at something, but without the necessary passion our hearts just aren’t in it – which means that we’ll never strive to be any better than we already are. However, passion without the actual skills can still make for a successful combination. As with enough passion, we become willing to put in the hours and work needed to be great at what we love.

Simply put, our passions are what become our talents.

The 2 Step Guide To Greatness

So, we know that when it comes to developing talent, skills are great but it is passion that will take you all the way.

There are two vital steps needed for real improvement in whatever you wish to do:

1. Set Your Intent. Thanks to the Law of Attraction we know that where our mind goes, our reality follows. So, if you want to become better at something you need to get intentional about it.

If you’ve always enjoyed writing and are often praised on your grammar know-how perhaps your intention should be to develop your writing skills?

This may sound like obvious advice, but you’d be surprised by how many people still think that in order to have a talent they need to pluck something new and exciting out of thin air.

Look closer to home; think about your life and what makes you happy. More often than not, our talents lie in the everyday skills that we overlook but others admire us for.

2. Make Small but Powerful Changes

You know what you love, what you’re good at and you’re beginning to see the bigger picture. But how do you take passion and a few basic skills and transform them into a talent?

Becoming better at something, no matter what it is, calls for small and specific changes. For example, you may realise that you’re passionate about music; you’ve identified that you’re a quick learner and have a good ear for music. Because of this you’ve decided that you want to become better at playing the guitar. However, it’d be silly for you to then immediately start sending your demo tape to every music producer you’ve ever heard of.

Instead, you will want to grow what skills you already have. Perhaps you decide to commit to a guitar lesson once a week for 2 months? Next, you may decide that you’re ready to put your name down for some small, local gigs?

Small steps lead to big success. It’s likely that there’s a big space right now between where you are and where you’d like to go with your passion. However, by setting yourself small and achievable goals, you’ll gradually master what others will soon begin to describe as your ‘talent’.

It’s said that in order to truly become the best at something, it takes a minimum of 10,000 hours practice. Don’t let this daunt you – if you think about it and consider the many things that you’re probably already talented at -be it listening, empathising with others, cooking, writing, calculating, dancing – we all harbour talents that are unknown even to ourselves.

To begin uncovering new talents, all you’ve got to do is identify your passions, get specific with your intentions and practice, practice, practice.

So don’t be modest, what are your talents? We may not be born with talent, but we are all born with the potential to make our realities what we want them to be. This is a huge opportunity for all of us – take it!

Despite what society would have us believe, happiness is not something which can be achieved through fame, status, money or appearance. In fact, we will not find happiness in anything external to us. Instead, happiness is something that can only be grown from within.

Happy people are happy because they have decided to be. Our lives are forever changing and being built on our internal choices. Our world is what we believe it to be.

But how can you ‘think’ yourself happy?

The answer is simple – learn from the happiest people you know! Happy people cultivate habits of happiness that can stay with them through the best – and the worst – of times.

Happy people do things differently. Here’s how:

1. They dream. Where your mind goes, your reality follows. This is why the happiest people we know are often the biggest dreamers; they take themselves to a place where their dreams are already coming true, putting them in the most positive possible state of mind.

2. They treat others how they wish to be treated. Have you ever gossiped about, judged or been rude towards another person? We have all been guilty of this at some time or another – it doesn’t feel great does it?

Being mean or turning a blind eye to others suffering often costs us far more energy  than being nice ever does. So choose to be nice. Treat everyone around you with the same respect and kindness that you would hope to receive. You’ll feel instantly better for it.

3. They forgive. Happy people understand that resentment can be like poison; it can have an utterly debilitating impact on a person’s life, affecting them mentally, physically and spiritually.

Why let someone that may have wronged or hurt you continue to hold their power over you? Learn to forgive. Let go of grudges.

4. They say ‘thank-you’. It cannot be emphasised enough – an attitude of gratitude can completely transform your entire life outlook and happiness. Happy people tend to focus on all of the things that they are most thankful for. So, no matter what their external circumstances, by always looking for the things they appreciate most they are able to maintain a happiness that others can only envy.

5. They don’t sweat the small stuff. A happy person will often benefit from the power of perspective. When something does go wrong in their life or they come up against an obstacle, rather than lose their mind over it they will ask – ‘will this matter to me in 5 years time?’

6. They live in the now. Happiness could be defined as a lack of guilt over the past and worry for the future. Basically, the happiest people in the world are often those that can  be truly in the present moment.

Each moment is a gift – make the most of this.

7. They surround themselves with other happy people. It’s true what they say; we are who we surround ourselves. Our energies and the energies of those that surround us are continually impacting how we feel and our outlook in life.

So, do you want to surround yourself with people that support and uplift you? Or people that criticise and doubt you? It’s an easy enough choice, but surprisingly not everyone makes the right decision.

8. They love themselves. How can we ever expect to become the love that we wish to see in the world, without loving ourselves first? Think of yourself as a receptacle for love – you have to be full to overflowing with it, before you can share it with others.

People that never seek the approval of others and are perfectly at ease with who they are authentically are often the happiest. Treat yourself with the love and respect you deserve and the world will do the same.

9. They accept things for what they are. When you are able to accept things for what they are – you don’t necessarily have to agree with them – but simply be at peace with them. Do this and you’ll experience a freedom like never before.

Acceptance means the absence of all resistance. It is a state that allows us to think clearly and more positively, enabling us to take better control of what internal and external factors we do have power over.

10. They are never anything but themselves. Last but not least, the happiest people are often those that live an authentic life.

True happiness is getting to the bottom of who you truly are and being at peace with whatever they may be. It is a life-long process, but for as long as you are living your truth and what feels real to you – you will always be happy.

Whilst it is believed that saying ‘no’ can close doors and dampen relationships, sometimes, saying ‘yes’ can actually have far greater repercussions.

If you are forever saying ‘yes’ to other people and their desires, you are at serious risk of putting off your own goals and happiness. When you say ‘yes’ to the people, projects, favours and requests that you just know you have no time or enthusiasm for – ask yourself – who is benefiting? The answer is not you.

If being a ‘yes man’ is something you have always struggled with, try to consider some of the following questions:

How Often Do You Say ‘Yes’ To Things That Do Not Serve You?

When most people consider how much time they spend on errands, projects, favours or tasks to help benefit others rather than themselves, it can come as quite a shock.

Charitable works, being a good friend or neighbour – all of these are acts of good service that will benefit you as much as the person in need. However, continually saying ‘yes’ to things that halt your own progress or hinder your own happiness for the sake of someone else’s is not healthy.

You have your own projects and ambitions to realise; if you are always saying ‘yes’ to helping others reach theirs, your own are left on the back-burner.

Remember this – the most successful people in the world are the ones that have perfected the art of saying ‘no’ as well as ‘yes’. Rather than spreading their energies and talents thinly across a range of projects and tasks that will only get them a ‘mediocre’ outcome, they ensure that they invest their very best in the few things that will get them the best possible result.

If you are saying ‘yes’ to people out of guilt or pressure, you are probably benefiting no one. However, develop confidence in your ability to prioritise and say ‘yes’ to the things that matter most and you’re productivity will be increased by the two-fold.

Why Do We Find Saying ‘No’ So Difficult?

So, just why do we find it so difficult to tell others ‘no’?

As we grow up, we give the word ‘no’ numerous negative connotations. We are born people pleasers, eager to ‘fit in’ and gain approval. We hold ourselves accountable for the happiness of others. We are afraid of what opportunities we might miss if we were to turn something down. We regard saying ‘no’ as a form of failure.

There are many reasons for why the word ‘no’ has grown into something we all fear, but to get to the root of this fear, you need to examine why for you in particular it is such a challenge.
Are you lacking in confidence and feel the need to please? Have you let your drive for success become so strong, that you are afraid to let the ball drop just once? Are you trying to meet up to the unrealistic expectations of someone else?

Next time you are tempted to say ‘yes’ to something you really don’t want to do, ask yourself – am I saying ‘yes’ for the other person’s benefit or for mine?

You are responsible for your happiness; other people can only be responsible for theirs. So when it comes to saying ‘no’ be strong and be clear. Keep your actions and choices in alignment with your ambitions and happiness. Doing this will not only benefit your life and happiness, but when you do choose to say ‘yes’ it will be for all the right reasons; making yourself and others far happier.

Say ‘no’ to being the ‘yes-man’. You will be surprised by how well others receive the stronger, more assertive you.

Despite being used as a spiritual healing practice for thousands of years, meditation has now made its way into the mainstream, capturing the attention of our increasingly health conscious culture.

But why meditate at all?

There are innumerable benefits to practising meditation. However, if you are new to meditation, here are some of the key benefits for your interest:

Meditation…

– Relaxes the body
– Clears the mind
– Increases creativity
– Encourages better personal relationships
– Improves health

These benefits are just the tip of the iceberg; scientists and spiritual teachers alike have uncovered that the benefits of a regular meditation practice are innumerable. Meditation, quite literally, has hundreds of benefits to offer – psychologically, physically, and spiritually.

So – what exactly is the practice of Law of Attraction meditation? How can we all reap its many benefits?

For beginners, the primary purpose of mediation is to clear the mind.

We live hectic, high-pressure lives. We rarely let our minds settle on one thing; meditation however, can prove the ideal channel through which our minds can achieve quiet and rest. The two components essential for a healthy, stress-free life.

New To Meditation? Here’s How You Can Get Started

When it comes to the practice of meditating itself, here are 4 easy steps to follow for a simple beginners practice:

1. Find a comfortable seated position. This could be sitting crossed legged on a matt or cushion; or if this feels too strenuous, try sitting comfortable on an upright chair with your feet on the ground. There is no need to try and force yourself into any complicated lotus position – but it is important to try and not slouch!

2. Breathe slowly and deeply. Either close your eyes gently or allow your gaze to fall softly, without focusing on anything in particular. Let your breathing come naturally. Focus on the in breath through your nose, before letting out a long, slow exhale through the mouth. Your breathing should become gradually deeper and longer. However, it is important not to force anything – you want to be relaxed.

3. Get Centred. Once you’ve been breathing deeply for some time, notice how your body begins to relax and you feel a sense of calm wash over you.

Be aware of every breath you take – focus on every smooth in-breath and every easy out-breath. Focus on this and nothing else, for as long as feels comfortable for you.

If you find that your mind does begin to wonder, don’t feel disheartened. This will happen a lot whilst you begin to get used to the practice. Until then – simply acknowledge that your mind has wandered, before bringing your attention back to your breathing.

Once you have familiarised yourself with these basics, there are a number of different mediation practices you can try out. There are many ways to meditate, depending on what you wish to achieve – from relaxation to visualisation or even creative problem solving.

Create A Healthy Habit

Finding the time to meditate is possibly the most challenging aspect of the entire practice. However, you don’t have to meditate for hours in order to experience the benefits. All you need are 10-15 minutes a day. That’s it.

Whether it’s first thing in the morning, or before you go to bed, for just one week find the time to fit in a daily meditation practice. Form a habit! Soon enough, daily meditation will become second nature to you. When this happens, you can use your improved self-awareness to find an inner peace and calm that you had never imagined possible.

With a regular Law of Attraction meditation practice, your relationship with the universe and yourself will be changed for the better; all from something as simple as switching off and breathing.

Namaste!