“It’s not just our mindset that can be hindering, it’s also the energy you are around” (the power of positive affirmations)
It sounds silly, talking to yourself everyday in the mirror. It sounds silly, writing positive messages on water bottles such as “growth” and “wealth”. It sounds silly, removing yourself from a situation only because you believe it’s too toxic for your mental growth (when everything else seems to be going fine). It’s not silly, and I’ll tell you why.
Last year I took the power of the mind more seriously. We take it for granted that we have an incredible organ inside of us that is able to push us to our limits, numb out pain, increase endurance and enhance productivity (if used properly). Knowing that only10% is used (at one time), makes you wonder what greatness could be achieved with that extra 90%. Most of you know this already, yet still overlook the impacts of words and actions on our lives. Something I did last year was to say positive affirmations to myself each morning. Sometimes I would share these affirmations with friends and affirm them too and sometimes a simple positive tweet in the morning was all that was needed to start the day on the right foot. You may of heard about Dr Masuru’s Japanese rice experiment to prove that there is power in the words you say. The rice surrounded by negative energy and negative words spoilt quicker, whilst the positive rice stayed white (you can check out some experiments online). This experiment could tell us a lot about our thoughts and mindset as we spend a lot of time in our heads (thinking, processing, retaining etc) therefore it is crucial to speak positivity into our lives. Last week, I wrote positive and uplifting messages on all my water bottles as a manifestation technique for positive growth. It may sound silly, but every time I reach for my water, I read the message, say it out loud and reinforce the mindset. Say this to yourself on a daily basis and it will be hard for self-doubt to take over. It's the same technique trainers use to push their clients for “5 more reps” when they think they can’t go any further yet somehow manage to gather strength for the final round… it’s because of mind over matter.
It’s not just our mindset that can be hindering, it’s also the energy you are around. I find myself referencing “energy” a lot and I think it’s important to believe in the importance of the energy you surround yourself with. Surrounding yourself with people and/or doing things that encourage you is vastly important. When you surround yourself with negative people and do things that negatively impact you or others, it can have detrimental effects. I’m not sure about you but often we let negative actions slide, telling ourselves “one more time” only to be proven wrong and be disappointed. I’m telling you now: if people continue to hurt or let you down or the same negative things happen, it’s an indication that things need to change. If you have any shadow of a doubt, don’t hang on to see what happens. Let. It. Go. The old me was so loyal I'd hang on because they needed me and I would stay to help because that’s who I am. Bending over backwards for no personal gain was a tune I knew all too well! I’m different now, a little more refined. You have to learn when things are not right for you and if you’re not actively fixing it or it’s starting to affect you negatively, then you need to respond (it’s also important to identify when the energy is not being reciprocated. If not, you’ll find yourself in an unnecessarily timely loop). Just know, if something’s off and it’s not changing, I’m out! I like my energy too much to compromise or share it around.
It’s easy to feel like you’re being oversensitive about protecting your energy (especially when others don’t see what you’re feeling) but preservation is key and we compromise ourselves more than we realise! Many people put their foot down ONLY when it’s comfortable and usually as a last resort. However, the truth is, it’s not comfortable letting go and it’s not easy prioritising yourself so if you feel like this, you better buckle up and get accustomed to it now (because enough is enough and you deserve better). For example, you see that job that pays well but your colleagues drain all the energy from your soul? The energy that grinds against everything you believe in? Let it go or speak up. I know what you’re thinking… Liz, a job is a job and it pays my bills. As right as you are, 40+ hours a week surrounded by energy that grinds against you will only be detrimental in the long run. It’s easy to accept the energy you would have run from before and settle, simply because it’s sugar-coated with temporary benefits. You must be deliberate in your decisions and cautious of the energy you accept. I say this as a person who has acted on it. A few years ago I was working at a job in central London where the vibe was just too bitchy for my liking (there was only four of us in my department and the things that were said about others… Boy! Did they rest!?). I found myself trying to escape at lunchtime just to get a breather from the negative atmosphere. I am a receptive person and I was slowly becoming someone who was moody (and not me) because of it. The money might have been good but I was miserable from the complaining all day and I was physically and mentally drained (working multiple jobs on top of that felt harder because that main job really sucked all my joy). One day I had enough and voiced my opinions instead but things didn’t change much (then again, other people’s habits are not my responsibility). I had to remind myself that I am responsible for MYSELF and anything I don’t like, I have to change… and this place wasn’t for me.
Now I’m not advocating you leave your job and I would only change once you have something lined up. I understand it’s not ideal and jobs aren't easy to get, but that's even more reason to MAKE SURE the future environment you will be working in, is one you will embrace BEFORE you accept the role. There are many times I’ve read a review on a company and decided not to apply simply because I refuse to put myself in an avoidable situation. We all scream “it's not that deep” until you start to lose yourself, start to let slip the person you built up. We’re often pressured by society to “take it on the chin” and get on with it, but your mental state is of the highest importance and often changes can be made when communicated properly. Don’t break yourself down for a coin. Value your worth more than it is (and add tax!) and that value will flip tenfold more than any coin could… and I’m not just talking about money! Friends, relationships, goals and dreams. If you set goals, complete them without compromises, if you are true to yourself, your opinions will be valued and respected.
You must be deliberate in your decisions and cautious of the energy you accept.
Take friendships as an example, you protect your energy by choosing friends that are healthy for you and are in line with your values. You disassociate for the very same reasons. If, as they say, you are your friends (and I honestly believe that) then you SHOULD be invested in what they strive for themselves, how they view life and how they treat others. If they don’t align with your goals, then now might be a time to re-evaluate if it is something you wish to continue. Those of you that supposedly don’t condone the behaviour of problematic close friends... prove it. Are you pulling them up on their behaviour? Are you voicing your concerns? If not, all that shows me is that you are happy to overlook things that don't sit right with you (which says more about you than them). Let them be ignorant, destructive and not driven, but don’t let their traits drag you down. We are viewed by those we associate ourselves with so you really must take it seriously. Try and find a mentor, whether that be in real life or through online content. Try and associate with people that have traits you wish to acquire or want to maintain; their behaviour will rub off on you, as yours will to them.
By embracing a positive and productive mind, you’ll start to see a difference in the way you work and think. Let me not convince you that you’ll be happy all the time or tell you that you’ll always be kind (I have my moments too) BUT it is important to keep a track on your mood and possibly find a trigger if you’re always low (in some cases, the negativity may be because of the energy you are giving), so be aware of your own behaviour and ask yourself if it aligns with the positive mindset you want to achieve. Even I check myself sometime when I’m acting off and I acknowledge when I’m in the wrong. Don’t sacrifice your happiness… if that means actively working on yourself or removing yourself from negative people or situations then do that. There is no need to tolerate something that is bringing you down (which may even be yourself) So fix it and everything else will fall into place.
Liz x
Water bottles with positive intentions.