Poor thinking is one of the major reasons behind stress, unhappiness, ill health, relationship issues and financial challenges. By changing your thoughts, you can begin to change all of this. And if you think that’s too simple, then read on and find out exactly what simple action you can take today to become a RichThinker.
1. Begin your day by focusing on what you do want, not what you don’t want. Look forward to the things you have in your schedule and determine that you are going to find the riches in all of these situations. This only takes a few minutes and sets the context for your day. Make sure you are in fact thinking about what you do want, and not inadvertently slipping into the apparent difficulties involved in having it happen!
2. Sing a success song to yourself while you’re having a shower or getting dressed. You programme yourself for a day you’ll really enjoy by doing these first two actions.
3. Decide you’re willing to notice when you have any thought or feeling that is less than a rich one. This means that as soon as you notice you’re feeling anything less than OK, you’ll choose to focus on something rich in your life that already exists. This action requires a commitment from you, not just once, but a repeated commitment, every day. That’s why starting your day with No. 1 sets you up to notice what might be getting in the way of you having your day be the way you want it. Then you have the choice to change it.
4. Vow to leave complaining in the rubbish bin today. When you catch yourself moaning, or criticising, or just generally finding fault, say STOP to yourself, turn around (in reality or in your mind’s eye) and view the situation from a different perspective, choosing to see only the things that make you feel good about the situation. Use blinkers if you have to. Do anything that helps you to focus on the richness of wherever you are. As a last resort, distract yourself. But try the other things first!
5. Have a nap during the day when you notice you’re slowing down. Even if you don’t notice, take 20 minutes out to lie down if you can, and if you’re at the office, find somewhere else to go (perhaps at lunchtime) to sit in a different environment, and CLOSE YOUR EYES. Closing your eyes is the crucial bit. You can help yourself with this by preparing in advance and having some soothing music to listen to or a relaxation recording. Even if you’ve only got 5 minutes, that’s better than nothing – and to help you in this you can listen to one of the meditations here.
6. Take time out when you get crabby. Let’s face it, we all get crabby from time to time. When it happens, stop what you’re doing, move to another place if at all possible, and take a deep breath. Acknowledge you’re feeling emotion, name it if you can, (see Feelings Vocabulary if you’re not sure what you’re feeling), ask yourself what’s really going on, and be honest with your answer! Listen to what your inner wise being says you need to do next, if anything, and act on that. (Remember you inner wise being will only ever tell you to do good nurturing things. If you think you’re being told to stuff your face with chocolate, or alcohol, or do anything else of an addictive behaviour, then it’s not your inner wise being, it’s your inner cheeky sod!)
7. End your day with a review of what’s happened, and be thankful. No matter what has gone on, look for the things you did enjoy, that did work out well, that nourished you. Say thank you for them. Then acknowledge any other things that you didn’t like quite so much, and be grateful for those too, if you can. It all adds up to an amazing day in the life of an incredible human being – you. Let yourself go to bed and into sleep, allowing that sleep to waft over you and take away any worries or concerns. Relax and let go.
I have used the principles I write about here in RichThinkers to bring about all kinds of things in my life, including running a successful counselling practice and health clinic business. Coming from a place of inspiration has enabled me to bring meaning and magic into all that I do, and my background in psychotherapy and counselling, combined with practical business skills, means I am uniquely positioned to help you in both the inner and the outer levels of success. (more…)
7 Everyday RichThinking Actions for Happiness
Poor thinking is one of the major reasons behind stress, unhappiness, ill health, relationship issues and financial challenges. By changing your thoughts, you can begin to change all of this. And if you think that’s too simple, then read on and find out exactly what simple action you can take today to become a RichThinker.
1. Begin your day by focusing on what you do want, not what you don’t want. Look forward to the things you have in your schedule and determine that you are going to find the riches in all of these situations. This only takes a few minutes and sets the context for your day. Make sure you are in fact thinking about what you do want, and not inadvertently slipping into the apparent difficulties involved in having it happen!
2. Sing a success song to yourself while you’re having a shower or getting dressed. You programme yourself for a day you’ll really enjoy by doing these first two actions.
3. Decide you’re willing to notice when you have any thought or feeling that is less than a rich one. This means that as soon as you notice you’re feeling anything less than OK, you’ll choose to focus on something rich in your life that already exists. This action requires a commitment from you, not just once, but a repeated commitment, every day. That’s why starting your day with No. 1 sets you up to notice what might be getting in the way of you having your day be the way you want it. Then you have the choice to change it.
4. Vow to leave complaining in the rubbish bin today. When you catch yourself moaning, or criticising, or just generally finding fault, say STOP to yourself, turn around (in reality or in your mind’s eye) and view the situation from a different perspective, choosing to see only the things that make you feel good about the situation. Use blinkers if you have to. Do anything that helps you to focus on the richness of wherever you are. As a last resort, distract yourself. But try the other things first!
5. Have a nap during the day when you notice you’re slowing down. Even if you don’t notice, take 20 minutes out to lie down if you can, and if you’re at the office, find somewhere else to go (perhaps at lunchtime) to sit in a different environment, and CLOSE YOUR EYES. Closing your eyes is the crucial bit. You can help yourself with this by preparing in advance and having some soothing music to listen to or a relaxation recording. Even if you’ve only got 5 minutes, that’s better than nothing – and to help you in this you can listen to one of the meditations here.
6. Take time out when you get crabby. Let’s face it, we all get crabby from time to time. When it happens, stop what you’re doing, move to another place if at all possible, and take a deep breath. Acknowledge you’re feeling emotion, name it if you can, (see Feelings Vocabulary if you’re not sure what you’re feeling), ask yourself what’s really going on, and be honest with your answer! Listen to what your inner wise being says you need to do next, if anything, and act on that. (Remember you inner wise being will only ever tell you to do good nurturing things. If you think you’re being told to stuff your face with chocolate, or alcohol, or do anything else of an addictive behaviour, then it’s not your inner wise being, it’s your inner cheeky sod!)
7. End your day with a review of what’s happened, and be thankful. No matter what has gone on, look for the things you did enjoy, that did work out well, that nourished you. Say thank you for them. Then acknowledge any other things that you didn’t like quite so much, and be grateful for those too, if you can. It all adds up to an amazing day in the life of an incredible human being – you. Let yourself go to bed and into sleep, allowing that sleep to waft over you and take away any worries or concerns. Relax and let go.