Warrior Mind Podcast

Over six years and going strong!  With over 1M downloads from over 15 countries and 7 continents’…. this is the Warrior Mind Podcast.

In this episode of the Warrior Mind Podcast I’m going talk about the 10 benefits of spending time alone and how it helps with life satisfaction.

10 Reasons to Spend Time Alone

We often use our private time to text, email or phone someone and do not spend time with ourselves. There are lots of things to gain just by spending time alone. In a world where social media has great influence, we seem to love being with other people. We use all available platforms to stay in touch with them, and we talk about various areas of common interest: what we wish to do and where we wish to go. Have you ever thought of getting away from that circle and spending time alone? You could use the time to do what you love, what you cherished, and what you had wanted to do in your own way and at your own pace. You will have benefits such as the following:

1. No Pressure on Performance

Spending time alone gives you the opportunity to carry out those activities you have longed to do. You do not have anyone mounting pressure on you to meet a deadline, but you have all the time in the world to follow your instincts and work at your own pace. There is a special kind of satisfaction you derive when you are able to do things your way.

2. Unique Creativity Flourishes

Getting away from those watching eyes and barrage of questions is a relief because you do not have to feel uneasy to add a blend of creativity to what you do. Spending time alone helps you device best ways to write, draw, paint the house, or make beautiful designs unique to you. Your creativity flourishes and you begin to see a world full of opportunities ahead of you.

3. Refreshing Time

The society we live in is a stressful one, and we are not getting free any sooner. Many people face illnesses owing to the risks they take to make ends meet each day. Spending time alone frees you from that kind of stress you have always wanted to run from and gives you enough time to regain your lost energy and zest for life. The benefits of such retreat are invaluable, and you come out ready to face the world with a new kind of strength.

4. Time for Sort through Problems

A lot of problems can be resolved just by sitting down alone and thinking them through. You will be surprised to find that the cause and solution to each problem are so easy to understand and addressed. Whether you finally solve the problem is not the issue, the satisfaction of focusing on what is wrong in your life and making an effort to correct them is enough to make your day.

5. Better Understanding of Yourself

So many do not know who they are or what their goals in life are. This is why spending time alone is important. It affords you time to look into yourself and find out what you love and hate about life. It is a time to check your response and reaction to the things that happen around you on daily basis. At the same time, you may discover more about your interests, abilities and life passion and make decisions on how to develop them and channel them properly. Your self-confidence grows, and you begin to feel good about yourself.

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6. A New Best Friend Emerges

Over six years and going strong!  With over 1M downloads from over 15 countries and 7 continents’…. this is the Warrior Mind Podcast.

In this episode of the Warrior Mind Podcast I’m going talk about the 12 qualities of great leaders and how they apply to your life.  

12 Qualities of Great Leaders

* ARE COURAGEOUS. When they need to be, they are innovative, and embrace being different. They don’t just meet the status quo, they also challenge it. When decisions have to be made, they will often make unpopular decisions and take risks that are calculated. They fight for each other and the things that need to be done.

* HAVE A VISION that they feel compelled to share with others. When they think about things, they do so in a strategic manner, while still operating in the present.

* ARE AUTHENTIC. Those in leadership have strong intuition and have sound gut instincts and they follow them. They remain congruent and they don’t simply talk. They deliver. Those in leadership show what they know and they showcase who they are. They understand that being vulnerable doesn’t mean weak, as it is sometimes necessary for success.

* HAVE INTEGRITY. These individuals are always honest and open about things. But those in leadership still understand how the political side of things work. They handle problems and deal with both the good and the bad issues and don’t skirt issues. They understand what needs to be done and always do the right thing, rather than the easy thing.

* GET RESULTS. These individuals are ones who are determined at all things. They will go about the process on their own, and not simply wait to be ask to do something. In everything they do, they will always find a way to deliver.

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* LISTEN AND OBSERVE – In leadership, these individuals pay attention themselves and others. They look at a situation and will take note of what is going on. They want to keep the bigger picture in mind, and they choose their battles accordingly. They are able to use their judgment to deliver results.

* KNOW IT IS ALWAYS A TEAM EFFORT. Those in leadership also know that is relationships and people that matter. They will spend their time delegating and asking for help when needed. They think about the best approach and are able to give others credit when it is due. They always thank and apologize in situations, as they understand the value of social time.

* RESPECT EVERYONE – In leadership, you must be respectful and kind. Even if you disagree with others. When it is appropriate, you can be fierce and larger than life. But also know when you need to be loyal and kind, or even gentle. Forgiveness is also essential, just don’t forget.

* ARE FLEXIBLE in their life and in their beliefs. They know that life is more than black and white. There is an understanding that change happens and even when life isn’t pretty, you hold your head up high and you refuse to go down.

* COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE. These individuals take the time to avoid assumptions by checking for real understandings. They will search out clarity and keep up to date on their communication. When necessary, they will negotiate and handle any conflicts that arise under their leadership with professionalism.

* ARE PASSIONATE AND ENTHUSIASTIC. When they speak up,

Over six years and going strong!  With over 1M downloads from over 15 countries and 7 continents’…. this is the Warrior Mind Podcast.

In this episode of the Warrior Mind Podcast I’m going talk about 7 things you need to know about metanoia and why it’s important.

7 Things You Need to Know About Metanoia

Whether you decide to treat people with more kindness or you’ve made the decision to be happy, trying to understand the world around you is a daunting task. As you go about your daily life, the decision to make responsible choices determines whether you will be happy at the end of it. The world we live in is cruel and requires you to be well motivated and have a clear purpose.

As the Greeks call it, ‘metanoia’ is a process of focusing your mind on the things that matter. Whether you are changing emotionally or psychologically in order to get to where you want to be, the struggle will always be worth the effort. If you are ready for the journey, here are a few things to keep in mind: 

What You Need To Know About Metanoia

First thing about Metanoia: Learn to realize when relationships have served their purpose- Most of us hold on to relationships that open or change our view of the world without realizing that they have already served their purpose. Remember that love, however great it is at first, will not necessarily last forever.

Second thing about Metanoia: Do not let your past hold you captive- Avoid spending the present resenting whatever self-limiting and old beliefs you had. Avoid judging yourself harshly for not figuring out sooner rather than later that you could have done so much more with your life. The point is that you eventually did.

Third thing about Metanoia: It all comes down to you- Realizing that you, and only you, are responsible for your life is the base of personal success or catastrophic failure. Nothing will give you peace of mind whether it is jobs, money, relationships or accomplishments before you find it within yourself. The decision to give all you have in the pursuit of this peace is the first step to enjoying the rest.

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Fourth thing about Metanoia: Love yourself in the most unique of ways- Most people think that self-love involves looking in the mirror and holding yourself in high regard while in fact, it is more than that. It involves motivating yourself to keep going, finding happiness in the face of adversity, standing up for yourself and your beliefs, finding the courage to admit when you are wrong or finding the strength to pick yourself up when you fall. Loving yourself first will allow you to love others as well, and commit to making someone else’s wellbeing as important as our own.

Fifth thing about Metanoia: Do not expect yourself to have a solution to every problem, because let’s face it, you can’t! Your willingness to try is what determines whether you will succeed, rather than the certainty of doing so. Even though we cannot prove the origin of life, for example, our society or culture is dictated by teachings about this unknown. Having faith in our beliefs tends to give us happiness, sense of direction and peace of mind. Even though this is not always the case, trusting the process is a critical step into living our best life.

Sixth thing about Metanoia: If you don’t believe in anything, it does not mean that you are lost. Some of us try so hard to develop a passion for things that do not resonate with u...

Over six years and going strong!  With over 1M downloads from over 15 countries and 7 continents’…. this is the Warrior Mind Podcast.

In this episode of the Warrior Mind Podcast I’m going present 13 potentially life changing questions and how they will shift the way you think.

13 Life Changing Questions

When things aren’t going quite the way you’d like them to, it’s often the result of not asking yourself the right questions. Some questions are hard to confront because you’re afraid you won’t get the answer you want, others because you really don’t want to know the answer.

But the best things in life don’t come easily, and turning away from life’s toughest questions is a sure path to mediocrity. I believe that Socrates said it best:

“The unexamined life isn’t worth living.”

Socrates’ observation also applies to business. When Eric Schmidt was CEO of Google, he famously said, “We run this company on questions, not answers.”

Life, like business, runs on questions, not answers. Let’s take a closer look at some of the tough questions we should be asking ourselves regularly.

How do people see me differently than I see myself?

Have you ever heard a recording of your voice and thought, “Is that what I really sound like?” Because of the way the sound of the voice travels through the human skull, we never hear ourselves the same way that everybody else hears us. The same is often true for the way we behave. We interpret our behavior in terms of how we think we come across, whereas everyone else sees the real thing. A 360° assessment is a great way to gain this perspective. It gathers feedback that is constructive, anonymous, and accurate. If you forego the 360 and solicit feedback in person, make certain you ask for feedback that is specific, avoiding broad questions and generalizations. For example, you’re more likely to get an honest and accurate answer to, “How well did I handle myself in the meeting when everyone disagreed with me?” than to, “Am I a good boss?” And be careful to show that you’re receptive to the feedback. If you flip out or get defensive every time somebody speaks their mind, they’re going to stop doing it.

What/whom did I make better today?

That’s another way of saying, “Leave things better than you found them.” Ending each day by asking yourself what or whom you made better is a great way to keep yourself grounded and focused on what really matters.

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Am I being true to my values?

Do you ever get that nagging feeling that something is a little off in your life? This often happens when little behaviors creep up on you that violate your values. If spending quality time with your family is one of your primary values, but you keep staying late at work, there’s a conflict. If you want that nagging little voice to go away, you’re going to have to do something about it.

If I achieved all of my goals, how would I feel? What can I do to feel that way as I work to achieve them?

The ability to delay gratification in pursuit of your goals is one of the most fundamental prerequisites for success, but delaying gratification doesn’t have to mean being miserable until you cross that finish line. You can achieve more—and have more fun doing it—if you let yourself feel some of that pride and pleasure along the ...

Over six years and going strong!  With over 1M downloads from over 15 countries and 7 continents’…. this is the Warrior Mind Podcast.

In this episode of the Warrior Mind Podcast I’m going to discuss several ways in which to develop resilience and why it’s important.

Referred to as the rubber ball factor, resilience is your ability to recover from or bounce back in the event of adversity. It is not necessarily about overcoming enormous challenges, but coping and adjusting easily with the daily inevitable life setbacks. It also means maintaining a positive outlook and managing stress more effectively. Resilience is, in essence, a mindset that draws from various skills and sources of help such as thinking skills, physical and mental health, as well as your relationships with others.

The Ingredients of How to Develop Resilience

There are four fundamental ingredients to develop resilience:

* Awareness– taking note of what is going on around you and inside your brain* Thinking– your ability to interpret the things that are going on rationally* Reaching out– knowing how and when to ask others for help* Fitness– our physical and mental strength to handle challenges without becoming ill

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The link between thought and emotion

Emotions influence on thought

It is crucial to apply reason to emotion during your decision-making process. That is because how you think is usually affected by your emotional response towards an event. Psychologist Albert Ellis designed a simple model to elaborate this- the A-B-C model of resilience.

A for adversity – being in a challenging event

B for Beliefs- it entails interpreting the event

C for Consequences- what you feel or do as a result of the event

It is crucial to note that even when an emotion is so visceral that it leaves no time to go through each step rationally, your brain will almost certainly go through the process subconsciously.

Thoughts have influence on emotion

Your thoughts can lead to specific emotions. For example:

* If you think you’ve lost something you might feel sad* If someone has done something to harm you, you feel anger* If you hurt somebody you, you feel shame

Understanding that thoughts lead to emotions allows you to fathom what your subconscious thinking processes will be. It also helps you to take the right action to address the challenge.

Thinking traps

Traps are assumptions about yourself or a situation that are made without assessing the evidence. Some of the signs that you are falling into a thinking trap are the use of phrases like always, never, I, or they, to name a few. For instance:

* I have never been able to do things like that* I just can’t pass math* They have taken everything from me

You ought to avoid falling into the thinking traps when you are developing a belief towards a situation. That is because; the trap can hinder you from acting effectively or with resilience.

How to improve your resilience

You can develop and strengthen your resilience in the following ways:

Over six years and going strong!  With over 1M downloads from over 15 countries and 7 continents’…. this is the Warrior Mind Podcast.

In this episode of the Warrior Mind Podcast I’m going to discuss several, six to be exact, unique ways for you to get out of your comfort zone. 

Starting Small

And that is rather the key. We will never consider a major exodus from our comfort zones because we have not built up to it. That adventurer who has just left for parts unknown? He has practiced getting out of his comfort zone for years. He began with small things and worked his way up so that now he does not fear huge changes – he embraces them. He has developed a sense of self-confidence that allows him to take risks. So it should be with you. You can practice getting out of your comfort zone right now, and these small steps can lead to bigger ones.

6 Unique Ways to Escape Your Comfort Zone

1. Take a Course About Which You Know Nothing

Maybe you have always admired people who can draw or play an instrument. What’s stopping you? Sign up for some lessons or a course at the local community college. Get yourself out among others who share that interest. Get away from TV and Facebook and just do it.

2. Practice Random Acts of Kindness

Reaching out to strangers is difficult for those of us who have always lived within our own little circles of friends, acquaintances, and institutions (workplaces, church, etc.). Participating in a “soup kitchen” event on Thanksgiving, sponsored by your work or church is comfortable. Seeing strangers in need and reaching out to them on a personal level is quite different. That mother ahead of you in line at the grocery store who must put some items back? Approach her and offer to pay. Every time you make contact with a complete stranger is a time you get out of your comfort zone. Soon, you may find yourself striking up conversations with complete strangers all the time – new “worlds” open up.

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3. Visit Different Places of Worship

Whether you consider yourself a religious person or not, it is always a good thing to expose yourself to religions, cultures, and belief systems that are “foreign” to you. If you consider yourself a Christian, how about attending services at a mosque of a Jewish temple? Or, how about a “new age” gathering? You will expose yourself to a variety of thought and make connections with those who view life very differently.

4. Think About Writing for Publication

O.K. so this is not an option for everyone but think about it for a minute. You have a lifetime of experiences and ideas to share. Take those to the next level by sharing them with others. You don’t have to be a skilled writer – there is a host of writing services out there, like WritingDaddy, that can take our thoughts and ideas and translate them into creative articles and blog posts that you can then submit for publication. Over time, you may develop your own skills and discover a great outlet for connecting with others.

5. Food – Yes, It Can be a Path Out of Your Comfort Zone Too

Instead of basking in your traditional “comfort foods,” try foods you have never eaten before. Go to a Thai or Vietnamese or Indian restaurant. Get online and retrieve some African and Middle Eastern recipes.

Over six years and going strong!  With over 1M downloads from over 15 countries and 7 continents’…. this is the Warrior Mind Podcast.

In this episode of the Warrior Mind Podcast I’m going to review the differences between a warrior and a victim…which one are you?

Warrior vs. Victim

During my mental strength coaching over the past 10+ years I have observed certain traits that people exhibit. To generalize, they fall either into the “warrior” category, or the “victim” category.

I’ve taken what I consider to be the 10 traits of a warrior and a victim and provided them below.

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WarriorVictimTakes responsibility for resultsBlames, complains or justifiesResponds differently according to the circumstancesRigged, unbending “I’ve always done it this way” Knows that people work perfectly from where they are with what they knowTires to make themselves look better by making others look smallKnows the response they get is a reflection of their message and will change the message to ensure the right responsePlaces blame for miscommunication on the other person, “Why don’t they understand!?”Creates reason why they should do somethingCreates excuses why they can’t do something Takes decisive  action, “If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me.”Waits for others to tell them what to doAsks, “How can I…?” questionsAsks, “Why can’t I …?” questionsKnows they have all the resources they need (inside themselves)Feels stuck and doesn’t have any resources except what others tell themIs a master at working with both the unconsciousness and conscious mindCan’t control their thoughts, emotions, or actions. “I just can’t help myself”

This table is far from all inclusive, but as you read them, be honest with yourself and think about how many times a day are you on each side.

The goal here is to be aware of where you are and then decide is where you are is where you want to be.

For a more in-depth discussion about this topic request your Introductory Consultation.

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Over six years and going strong!  With over 1M downloads from over 15 countries and 7 continents’…. this is the Warrior Mind Podcast.

In this episode of the Warrior Mind Podcast I’m going to review 5 mental strength tips to embrace to have a successful life!  

Successful Life

It seems everyone and their grandmothers are constantly seeking the secrets to true personal success.  Since most individuals have their own definition of what personal success is, there really is no one clear-cut formula.

There are however certain traits that are common in many high achievers.  The following are five mental strength tips that will help you live a life of power, purpose and passion…basically a successful life. 

 1. Learn, Discard, And Create:

Learn what is useful, discard what is not and add what is uniquely your own.

All throughout our lives, we are educated and forced to learn things about society, people, religion, politics and life…all from someone else.

Many of these teachings will be of no use to you in creating your future. Keep what resonates with your Soul, that which you know will be good for you. Then, discard the disposable information; it will only tend to confuse your mind.

When you were younger and just starting out learning about math, reading, science, etc it was delivered in a “one size fits all” program.  Now that you have moved on from that style of learning is time to purge your mental cache.

It is up to you to determine which information supports you and your personal goals and which information does not.

Become a master at your craft. 

Seek out the resources that are required for your personal success at your chosen profession. Then add a dash of uniqueness and make your life your own by adding your personality.

This way, you know that the knowledge you acquired, combined with application in real life, plus your additional perspective makes for a life lived with power, purpose and passion!

 2. Go Beyond Your Limitations:

 Most high achievers were told that they couldn’t do it.  They were told they were too poor, too inexperienced, too unattractive, or too weak to achieve any sense of personal success.

Don’t let others limitations become your limitations!

Use your mental strength and learn to break down the barriers of your comfort zone.

Be open to change, possibilities and adventure!  

Believe you can do it. 

Remember, there is no failure only feedback.  Use your feedback to motivate yourself into doing more than you thought possible. Think powerful and positive thoughts.  These thoughts will lead to powerful and positive action that will help you break out of your self-imposed limitations and on to achieving your personal success.

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3. Set Goals:

Have you ever gone through a phase in your life and realize that you don’t really have a goal? Feels like you’re just wandering around doesn’t it?

Always have personal goals you’re striving for. This serves as the itinerary of your life. Every major or minor decision you make should be geared towards the fulfillment of ...

Over six years and going strong!  With over 1M downloads from over 15 countries and 7 continents’…. this is the Warrior Mind Podcast.

In this episode of the Warrior Mind Podcast I’m going to discuss the importance of and why you need to challenge yourself.

Challenge Yourself

It is quite normal that whenever we attempt something new or pursue a big goal, we will experience a certain level of fear.

We can either let our fears stop us from going for what we want, or we can continue moving forward despite feeling afraid. The truth is almost all our fears are self-created.

In its simplest form, fear is an imagined negative consequence that may or may not occur in the future if we take a particular action. Basically, we scare ourselves by imagining negative outcomes to anything we want to do or experience in life.

Fear can often be disguised as:

* Procrastination – not doing what needs to be done.* Avoidance – not willing to face a reality in life due to embarrassment, not wanting to be rejected or not knowing what’s ahead.* Distraction – allowing ourselves to get sidetracked from doing what really matters.* Perfectionism – not wanting to share what we have done for fear of criticism.

When we confront our fears, most times, we will find that they we totally made them up and things didn’t turn out to be as scary as we thought they would.

In the book, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill suggests that, “Every adversity brings with it the seed of an equivalent advantage.”

If we can start viewing our challenges or fears from a different perspective, then we are bound to learn valuable lessons and grow in the process.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in life is leaving a so-called “secure” corporate career and starting my own business. Operating my own business is a totally different experience to managing someone else’s business and it required me to learn a lot of things quickly.

In my early years in business, I made so many mistakes that had me questioning what I was doing and whether I would get through. I always came back to “why” I started my business in the first place and that always helped me stay committed and inspired me to continue doing what was necessary to overcome the challenges I faced.

While the fear has never gone away, I now know fear is just feedback that I am out of my comfort zone and about to do something I have not done before. That always make it easier to do what’s required to overcome my fears and achieve the outcomes I want.

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Here are five life lessons we will learn when we confront our greatest fears, which in turn, will help us deal with future challenges differently and with a lot more confidence.

* You will deal with adversity a lot better. We develop confidence when we successfully overcome an adversity or survive a risk. The more challenges we face and overcome in life, we stronger we will be mentally and emotionally. Our experiences in dealing with adversity will prepare us to face new ones better than if we don’t experience challenges in life.

* You will appreciate the importance of being prepared. All obstacles and challenges are feedback that there are things we weren’t aware of which may have prevented us getting the outcomes we want.

Over six years and going strong!  With over 1M downloads from over 15 countries and 7 continents’…. this is the Warrior Mind Podcast.

In this episode of the Warrior Mind Podcast I’m going to discuss the Complacent Zone, what creates it and how to break through it.  

The Complacent Zone

When we set goals what exactly are we looking for?

Change!

Change from our current state to more powerful one.

What is Change?

Change is something that moves us out of our comfort (complacent) zone.

What is Mental Resistance?

It is the consciousness or unconscious rejection to change.

The inherent problem with goal setting is related to how the brain works. Recent neuroscience research shows the brain works in a protective way, resistant to change.

Therefore, any goals that require substantial behavioral change or thinking-pattern change will automatically be resisted. The brain is wired to seek rewards and avoid pain or discomfort, including fear.

When fear of failure creeps into the mind of the goal setter it commences a de-motivator with a desire to return to known, comfortable behavior and thought patterns.

Where Does Mental Resistance and Support Come From?

* Beliefs* Values* Emotions* Past experiences

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So, as we start to make progress towards our goals, we get closer to our mental resistance line and “things” start to happen.

As we bounce back and forth between our mental support and mental resistance, we create our Complacent Zone.

What Makes Up Our Complacent Zone?

* Environment* People, Places and Things * Capabilities* Skills and Talents* Behavior* Habits and Routines* Your Story* What you tell yourself and others why you can’t reach your goals

To break out of our Complacent Zone requires the development of Mental Strength.  These skills include:

* Goal Setting* Mental Rehearsal* Energy Management* Self-Talk

For a more in-depth discussion about this topic request your Introductory Consultation.

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