This is the second instalment of a three-part series based on the stories we tell ourselves and how they affect the results we achieve in life.

As we explored in the first of the series, the human brain becomes habituated. It learns by engaging the nervous system, the memory system and the sensory system  and repetition of patterns over time makes something seem ‘normal’.

So, to rewrite a story that's habituated, you need to first undo it in those places in a particular way. Essentially this means releasing it before replacing the old story with a new one.

Episode Highlights:

Useful Links:
Mind Matters Website
Catherine Connolly on LinkedIn
Rex Urwin on LinkedIn
Mind Matters Twitter 
Mind Matters Facebook
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Catherine chats with Steve Mendl, a Mind Matters client for several years now.

Steve has participated in a number of our NeuroCoding programs over the years. Apart from achieving great success in business and life, Steve has also reached a long-term goal to publish a book, which has since received Amazon Best Seller status.

He is an executive mentor and active retirement coach, founder of Next-Aging and Senior Consultant at Lee Hecht Harrison Australia/New Zealand.

He has over 25 years’ experience in training, educating, career transition, workforce transformation, and business improvement through effective leadership.

Steve’s work life journey began in public relations, marketing and then one day he found his role was made redundant. He used the opportunity to really think about what he wanted to do and went on to start a fashion label, become a teacher and a radio and music DJ.

He’s also the author of ‘Beyond The Money’, which looks at the mindset needed to transition from full-time work into the next stage of people’s lives.

Episode highlights:

Useful Links: 

Steve Mendl on LinkedIn

Beyond The Money Website

Useful Links:
Mind Matters Website
Catherine Connolly on LinkedIn
Rex Urwin on LinkedIn
Mind Matters Twitter 
Mind Matters Facebook
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the first in a series of three about the stories that frame our sense of self and how we live our life.

In this episode, we’re asking, is everything we say in the moment original? Or do we have a set of patterns that are established over time that form our way of operating, our way of speaking, and our way of believing? Do those potential patterns create the idea of us, the world that we step into every day and the results we get?

Episode highlights:

Useful Links:
Mind Matters Website
Catherine Connolly on LinkedIn
Rex Urwin on LinkedIn
Mind Matters Twitter 
Mind Matters Facebook
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A hot topic with our clients right now is the concept of sabotaging your own goal. While ‘sabotage’ means to deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct something, it’s not something we business owners do on purpose. But many of us do have self-sabotaging behaviours that, if not controlled, can prevent us from achieving our goals.  

As well as stopping us from reaching our goals, self-sabotaging behaviour can make us less committed altogether.

In this episode, Catherine is looking at common behaviours among business owners and how, with the right mindset and strategy in place, you can reach your goals.  

Episode highlights:

Useful Links:
Mind Matters Website
Catherine Connolly on LinkedIn
Rex Urwin on LinkedIn
Mind Matters Twitter 
Mind Matters Facebook
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being a successful business owner and leader doesn’t come easily - it takes hard work, dedication and the right mindset.

In this episode, Rex takes a look at how you can create a mindset that will not only enable you to develop more skills but also to improve as a leader, enjoy business success, and create a balanced lifestyle.

Episode Highlights:

Useful Links:
Mind Matters Website
Catherine Connolly on LinkedIn
Rex Urwin on LinkedIn
Mind Matters Twitter 
Mind Matters Facebook
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A common problem for small to medium business owners - ourselves included - is feeling frustrated. It’s far too easy to give in to negativity when things go wrong, leaving you feeling sad and hopeless.

What’s worse is, because of the way our brain is wired, we create further frustration and daily problems. So how can we overcome it? By simulating experiences and learning to adapt.

In this episode, we take a look at how the brain works when dealing with stress and what you can do to change your circumstances.

Episode Highlights:

Useful Links:
Mind Matters Website
Catherine Connolly on LinkedIn
Rex Urwin on LinkedIn
Mind Matters Twitter 
Mind Matters Facebook
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can we change our way of thinking in order to change our world? Many people practise an affirmation - a statement or a declaration asserting that something is true. They use it as a way of trying to change their circumstances in life because it offers emotional support and encouragement, but for many, it doesn’t work. At least not by itself.

In this episode, we take a deeper look at how an affirmation is received by the brain and whether it can actually help you shape your life for the better.

Episode highlights:

Useful Links:
Mind Matters Website
Catherine Connolly on LinkedIn
Rex Urwin on LinkedIn
Mind Matters Twitter 
Mind Matters Facebook
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For entrepreneurs, executives and small to medium business owners, business and day-to-day life can often be a bit of an endurance race. It’s key to be able to reset and refocus quickly, however it’s not always easy for some.

In this episode, Rex chats to British extreme sports lover Pete. His love of alpine skiing and climbing, and a background in the military, means he has learned some valuable life lessons that can serve you well in the unpredictable world of business.

This interview was made possible through our connections with high level elite military operations personnel. Pete's last name has been withheld as he is still an active operative.

Episode highlights:

Useful Links:
Mind Matters Website
Catherine Connolly on LinkedIn
Rex Urwin on LinkedIn
Mind Matters Twitter 
Mind Matters Facebook
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“We are our own worst enemies.” But what does that mean for a business owner?

Doubting your abilities will never be conducive to success. As a small to medium business owner, a lot can come from learning to be still in the storm, as our guest in this episode found out.

Tony Robertson is the founder of Brisbane Tank Manufacturing (BTM), a producer of stainless steel products for the dairy, brewery, pharmaceutical and food processing industries across Australia.

His business story began when he started work as an apprentice technician and, after meeting the love of his life, strived for more. After completing an Advanced Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, he went into the administration side of things and learned more about drafting, engineering and procurement.

In this episode, Tony shares his secrets for everyday business success, including learning to be mindful, listening to his emotions and learning from past mistakes to reach his goals.

Episode highlights:

Tony Roberston on LinkedIn

Brisbane Tanks Website

To register for the Removing Obstacles To Your Happiness And Success Retreat call

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While holidaying in Europe we had the opportunity to visit Sainte-Chapelle, a 13th century Gothic church in Paris near Notre Dame, one of many hundreds of stunning churches throughout Europe. Apart from its beauty, it also inspired me to think about ‘the work’ that went into it, and how the results and impact of that work still live on today.

Many of us stop to marvel at the incredible architecture and artisanship of this era, and the time and effort that went in to design and create exquisite works like these. Works that leave people awestruck at the vision and the execution, even centuries after the last stone was laid.

Imagine what your business could become if you ‘designed’ and built it with the same precision as these architects did centuries ago.

Imagine if you took the time to create something of beauty, to create a business and a lifestyle of beauty. What if you took the time to slowly and elegantly create something with a beautiful structure and abundance that lasts forever, that lasts as a legacy.

Churches like Sainte-Chapelle weren’t built in a hurry. They weren’t rushed. They were built to last.

A life that is worth recording, that is worth journaling, is worth taking the time to build also.

So give some consideration to the time you're taking to build something worth having. It's beyond money. It's beyond building abundance in terms of your own game in the short to medium term.

In Europe we also noticed that it’s not just the churches that last a long time. Businesses do too. So many businesses are handed down from generation to generation. They have been built to last, with a legacy of collective knowledge and wisdom that’s passed on to each successive generation.

These are businesses that last a long time because they take the time to play the long game.

Are you building a business to last?

Useful Links:
Mind Matters Website
Catherine Connolly on LinkedIn
Rex Urwin on LinkedIn
Mind Matters Twitter 
Mind Matters Facebook
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.