Over the past several months I've noticed a recurring theme around personal growth and empowerment. What's interesting is that I'm seeing it come up in all sorts of meetings; corporate, non-profit and NGOs.
Whenever I see a theme cross sectors like this I feel compelled to share it, so here are three takeaways from workshops I've recently graphic recorded. These insights are helping me along my journey and I hope they'll do the same for you.
We All Have The Power Of Choice. Neuro linguistic programmer and instructor Dena Justice teaches high school students that they have the power to change the trajectory of their lives. Thoughts and feelings come from our perceptions which then create our behaviors. By catching thoughts and emotions as they come up, we can make clear choices about how to react or respond.
One tool she shared that I've been using is how to use the breath to re-set the mind. Exhaling for 7 seconds or longer tells the brain the body is safe. Humans aren't capable of making good decisions from a place of fear. Quickly reposition yourself by simply taking a deep inhale and long exhale.
Beliefs Can Be Changed. Erin Pheil of Mind Fix Group coaches entrepreneurs on how to subtract self-doubt and negative beliefs by first identifying patterns, then their root causes. 95% of our beliefs are tapes playing in the subconscious mind. Change needs to happen there, rather than in the conscious mind.
We Are Powerful As People. Dr. Lori Peek, director of The Natural Hazards Center, CU Boulder ended their annual workshop by asking that we remember how powerful we are as people. We can make positive change in the world by working together and building our collective power.
It's challenging to stay positive in today's world, but it's also doable. As the authors of our own lives, we can each choose love over fear and become the hero of our own journey.