Is scarcity making you unwell?

Let's face it not many of us really enjoys getting mad, angry or upset. And from a wellness perspective being in these far from harmonious states is not going to help you achieve wellness and well being. I've mentioned it before but scarcity can be a huge factor in allowing these negative emotions to enter your world. So to set the scene for where I am headed I want you to open up your mind and recall how any conflict, difference of opinion or how someone's actions has upset you and what caused the negative outcome. Then I will get you to back up a little and investigate.

Let me give you a couple of examples to highlight what I'm getting at. Say the poor old mother in law has come over and whilst you were out or busy on some other task she has put draino or bleach in the washing machine and washed your favourite clothes. Obviously they will be damaged and apart from being favourites you will have to go spend more money replacing them when it wasn't even your fault. Another one is you may not have left instructions to someone who is assisting you on a task in fear of sounding directive or forceful and then finding out the job hasn't been done right. Anger and resentment may kick in. Both highlight scarcity as fear has dictated how you approached the situation and how you felt about the outcome.

These outcomes and feelings could of been avoided by simply changing your mindset from scarcity to abundance. We know scarcity is living in fear of or a lack mindset and abundance is a mindset of plenty, opportunity and empowerment don't we? Back to the mother in law the situation is not going to change and holding onto the anger and resentment over the result stems from the fear of spending money then you are thinking subconsciously that there is a lack of money. This thinking will block any opportunity of earning, winning or attracting more money to come to you. With the job example, your fear of losing friends or sounding bossy stops you making your position known. You can't ever be in a leadership or entrepreneurial role as your scarcity mindset will block these opportunities from appearing to you and hence your ability to grow and develop yourself. These are just two of millions of examples I could of used but the underlying factor is - it is your choice as to whether you live in scarcity or abundance.

Here is a guide to get you to change over and start thinking abundantly.

1. Monitor when you shy away from situations or when you feel negative emotions invading your head space.
2. Identify what the underlying factor is that is doing this to you. Is it money, belief, ability or just that it is different and uncomfortable.
3. Challenge the identified factor that is causing all the fear. Ask yourself or even better write it down and get the logical part of your mind disputing your thought patterns that take you into scarcity.
4. Flip your mindset and get uncomfortable. Now you have identified and challenged the scarcity causer turn it around and you have the abundant mentality causer. Push through this part as it takes courage and persistence to change.

Find out why oppostite is great.

Be different is what I am saying. And what's more be proud about it. My reasoning for saying this is the world would be a really boring place to be in if we were all the same. And on reflection and generally surmising my circle of influence too many individuals are conforming to the mentality of it's the way things are done, it's how it is or it's what everyone else is doing so it must be OK. I'm here to encourage you to branch out and discover you and what it is that you can turn around in your lifestyle that will make a world of difference to your fulfillment, performance, enjoyment, success and wellness. Back up a little and start smelling more roses.

How many times do you hear someone say I don't have time do do that or I can't fit it in I already do to much. It is very common isn't it. Well let me say one thing - If you haven't got the time to do it, you need to do it more so. Meaning if you haven't got time to play with the kids, do some activity, go and meet a friend for coffee, have a massage or anything else that you would like to do just for you and your mindset is telling you you haven't got time. You need to make time and realise what is more important in this very short lifetime of yours.

A great example of thinking differently or outside the box is something I recently read about Donald Trump. His father discouraged him to build and develop real estate in Michigan (USA). He had the odds stacked against him and everyone told him he was nuts. He thought the opposite to them and the difference is he acted differently to them also. Look at the success he has had since and you would say his decisions were justified. His quote to illustrate his attitude which he calls going against the tide is, "Great minds have purposes, others have wishes".

My point being; everyone is busy. Everyone can justify not making better lifestyle choices by quoting work or other commitments that aren't as important as you and your wellness creation efforts. But at the end of the day is that reason going to make you happier, more fulfilled and give you the total freedom you would like? If not make some changes today that will take you closer to a more fulfilling and better quality existence.

Are you a happiness bounty hunter?

Just thought I'd slip in a quick thought that has been with me for a while. And If I am completely up front about it what I am about to talk about here is something that has caused me a great deal of uncertainty in my short but eventful life. It is the materialism conundrum and where you sit with it all and more importantly why do you feel like you do about it. Lets explore it more and then I will let you explore it more in your own head space.

In today's society it is not uncommon for people to shift around in their jobs, houses, girlfriends, wives and cars. It would be fair to say a lot of the toing and froing is in order to get something bigger, better that will in perception make your life more complete or better. My thoughts are this causes undue stress and creates the never happy syndrome (if there is one). Because buying the better car, the better house, the designer label sunnies and so on will only keep you happy for so long until the next big thing in your eyes hits your world. Where as if you look at constantly investing in your internal happiness and fulfillment the perception that you need materials to keep you satisfied will quickly dissipate. Not to mention the money and stress it will save you.

As an example you can go on a trip to the other side of your country or another country and get so much joy and fulfillment from the mere fact that you are there seeing another way of life and experiencing the culture. Or you can go out and look at the material things in your vicinity or go chasing them in a bid to satisfy yourself. I call it internal versus external happiness hunting and I am not saying one is right or wrong but I want you to think which category you fall into and beware of the alternative. Open up your mind to the possibility that you can have your cake and share it yet still be fulfilled and then don't feel the need to go looking for a bigger or better one to show the world how good or successful you are.

Do you want to break free?

I may be showing my age here but the title brings memories of Queen (rock band) flooding back however that isn't what I'm here to talk about sorry. Maybe another day.

Self limiting beliefs and thoughts hold you back whether it be in a physical, mental or even spiritual sense. The more we repeat an action or a thought the more the body or mind learns and remembers how to carry it out. So taking that on board if you are continuously thinking negative, lack or scarcity then this is what your mindset is always going to replay. And unfortunately this is always going to be replayed as it’s already been played so many times it’s going to be on auto pilot in your mind.

So whenever you get put under pressure and you could either take the positive route or the negative route autopilot will kick in and negativity is back without you even knowing about it. Dr Howard Cameron an a natural health scientist and chiropractor says try brushing teeth with your non dominant hand and see how foreign and difficult the task feels. Same goes with the mind, try thinking positive or upbeat about a particular situation and see how hard it is to maintain (if you have negative tendencies already). But as stated earlier the more you can reinforce and stick to positive and upbeat thinking then the more it becomes part of your normal thought processes.

A great way to start the process is by

1. Dreaming about a real life situation that you would like to be a positive experience for you.
2. Imagine accurate images of this situation.
3. Extract the feeling or emotion from this image and
4. Act on this feeling strongly and remember the stronger the image and the emotion the stronger the action

Reinforcing why energy management is superior

Just a quickie as my energy is about to run out. Does that sound funny to you? You would usually expect me to say I am rushed for time wouldn't you. Well I am here to reinforce to you why time management is quickly becoming redundant in my world. I know through my own experiences as an entrepreneur, wellness coach, fitness professional, father, mentor and soon to be online youth athletic development coach if I was to time manage solely I wouldn't be as efficient as I am now that I manage my workload according to energy rather than time. I still work in time slots but I now manage my energy to make sure I am at my best for the times I need to be. Clear as mud?

The inspiration for my little reinforcement quickie is after just returning home from my regular Saturday morning hangout with my 3 kids. Sabina my eldest was the lucky or unlucky one whichever way you look at it who got to walk home with Dad while Tyrone and Sabina rode in the pram. Sabina as expected was tiring (physical energy) so we stopped at every bus stop on the way home. Once we began walking again we powered on to the next stop. We arrived home and the result was as follows. The time it took was actually less than our normal walk and Sabina was ready for the adventures our wonderful family home life offers our kids.

The wonderful Sabina

What's my point; if I had been fixated on time management I would of pushed Sabina to keep going or even carry her on my back or something ridiculous like that. It would of taken me longer and worn me out. But because I applied energy management my time management actually improved as well as my energy levels and Sabina's. Everyone was a winner.

What's with White Carbs?

I don't know whether you have heard but lately I have been hearing a lot about white carbs and how you should be avoiding them. Firstly I will state categorically blanket statements in nutrition don't work. Making blanket statements such as the white carbohydrates are bad for you just don't apply. It is like saying there is a right and a wrong way to do something and no in between. This kind of thinking is for people who live in a world where there aren't any opportunities, the rich are all crooks and lotto is the only ticket to freedom. Now I've got that off my chest i'll move on with white carbs - sorry.

Carbohydrates are a necessity in your diet and that includes white ones. Foods such as onions, oats, cauliflower, spring onions, mushrooms and even chick peas are all white carbs and they are definitely good for you. What I feel the white carb scare campaign is aimed at is heavily processed items such as white breads, donuts, sugar, breakfast cereals and even ice cream. But i'm sure all of you knew this already. Carbohydrates are vital in your diet and I don't think people realise that fruit and vegetables are classed as carbs.

To be sure you are eating the good carbs in future follow these guidelines and you can't go wrong.

1. Buy foods in their natural form. Fruit and vegetables have their own packet (their outer skin) so resist carbohydrates that need unpacking or unwrapping from a packet or a box.
2. Include a natural and unprocessed carbohydrate source at every meal.
3. Eat at regular intervals to ensure the goodness from these natural and unprocessed carbohydrates is put into your body throughout the day.

Please put the carbohydrate myth to bed and maybe reply to all of your friends and associates that it isn't the carbohydrates we need to reduce in your diet it is the processed foods that are making us horrible unhealthy. Two great quotes I've heard are - If your ancestors didn't eat it 1000 years ago neither should you and If it doesn't rot don't eat it. I would advise consumption before the rotting phase!!!!!