10 Empowering Words to Get You in Shape!

I wanted to share an inspiring article from a dear friend of mine and fitness trainer, Dani Lau.  I am an advocate in the power of our words and how it can affect our state of being.  I love how this article exemplifies how our words can either empower or disempower the mind into whether we decide to work out or not.  

Your fitness is 100% mental…your body won’t go where your mind doesn’t push it!

As a personal trainer, hearing negative or disempowering words or self-talk is a pretty regular occurrence. When the workout gets challenging, I start hearing things like, “this is too hard” or “I can’t do this”. When people say these things, it automatically puts their brain in a negative state and makes the physical seem harder than it really is. Your body hears everything your mind says. It is quite amazing how the power of positive thoughts and words really makes a difference in performance. The things that a person says, makes it a reality for them. If someone says “I can’t”, then in their mind they have already given up. If they have already mentally given up, then of course they won’t accomplish the physical task at hand. 

The mind controls the body, and you control your mind! That is the beauty of being human; we hold the power to make a change. It truly is mind over matter! We as humans have the ability to consciously change our mental state and therefore control the outcome of our own lives and accomplishments. Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right. The body achieves what the mind believes! 

I have clients of all different fitness levels, but it is the ones with enthusiasm and positive self-talk that get the best results. One of my clients in particular, when our workouts get difficult, she says, “Ok Dani, let’s do this!” She revs herself up and gives it her all. Given her fitness level, she may not be able to do as much as others, but because of her drive and positivity, she goes above and beyond what we both thought she could handle. She always ends our workouts saying, “That was pleasantly challenging, I liked that workout!” Because of her positivity, determination, and desire to improve, she is getting great results and is feeling better and more confident every day.

Using empowering words truly makes all the difference when exercise gets challenging. If you can change your wording from negative to positive, you will be surprised how quickly you can change your attitude and state of mind. Believe you can and you’re half way there!

Here are 10 examples of empowering words or phrases that can be used instead of disempowering ones:

1. I can’t = I will
2. This is hard = I’m capable
3. I’m too weak = I’m getting stronger
4. I have no energy = I’m a hard worker
5. This is heavy = I’m powerful
6. I’m not in the mood = I’m determined
7. I’m too sore = I’m closer to my goal
8. I’m out of shape = I’m a work in progress
9. It burns = It’s working
10. I’m too self-conscious = I’m driven to be better

Try to use these power phrases in place of all the disempowering thoughts that squeeze their way in. In order to transform your body, you must transform your mind. Just remember, you may not always love the workouts, but you will ALWAYS love the results! Patience is key when it comes to getting to your fitness goals; greatness doesn’t happen overnight. I’ll leave you with a powerful saying that can boost your confidence on a daily basis… “I may not be perfect, but I’m better than I was yesterday!”

Dani Lau         Mind Over Matter - Disempowering/Empowering Words         facebook.com/dani.4.fitness

Check Out This Confident & Conscious Rebel Mama!

I have a dear friend that I have known since high school (who is actually currently taking the 10 Plus life coaching training from me) that was just recently featured in a cool blog called Rebel Mama. I am sharing this as a perfect example of an empowering woman and conscious mama who is confident in her own skin. 

Check out the interview here.

Six Steps to Authentic Perfection

The pressures of living the American dream often encourages us to be perfect. We often feel we need to meet extremely high standards, look like celebrities, and never make mistakes. If we do not meet this crazy criteria,  we feel unworthy, not enough or even unloved. This has to do with the belief or definition of perfect that has been ingrained in our minds.  Is this a fact? Of course not. The true definition of perfect is actually
having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be. This can be interpreted so many ways. We have the power to decide how to look at, and apply this. We can stop punishing ourselves with these unattainable ideals and look at what our authentic perfection can be.
       
We are all born in utter perfection; pure, wonderful and unique. Through the years, baggage and layers form as a result of beliefs, choices, communication and lifestyle.  This creates layers and blocks that prevent us from being who we truly are.   We begin living and seeing and communicating through these painful layers, which creates confusion, problems and low energy, and is the illusion that we are not perfect. The key is to begin working on getting back to that authentic self.
    
Here are six tips and tools to get you there faster and always love, live and experience utter perfection.

1. Peel away the layers to get to the true you. This may be difficult through the process, but so worthwhile. Many people need a coach or therapist to help them with this. Taking the experiences, emotions, pain, and anything negative that is blocking your truest self, and getting to that breakthrough, analyzing it, letting it go and keeping the wisdom is key. This will leave you with the happy you, the bold, strong, brave and non judgmental you.

2. Embracing your own uniqueness.  We all have very special or unusual qualities. Sometimes we feel that they are too silly or different to let them out. By owning these unique gifts, we present ourselves as standing out from the crowd, as our own perfection. Think of an interesting teacher you've had, a musician, or even a family member. Maybe their laugh, their quick wit, or even their hula hooping skills make them unique. You remember them this way, and they own who they are. You can do this too. Think of the qualities you have and begin to celebrate them.

3. Radiating out who you truly are deep inside. Create a list of at least ten things you love about you. Now decide which qualities you would like to radiate out every day. Would you like to radiate out love, living by example, enthusiasm, compassion and kindness? Decide each morning to do so and go for it. This way you are in tune with who you want to be.

4. Feel happy and fulfilled. Train your brain to be extra happy by telling yourself regularly that things, people, experiences and you yourself, make you happy.  Walk by flowers and tell yourself that they make you happy. Experience a sunset and remind your brain that this is joy. Spend time with a best friend and remind your mind that this is fulfilling. The more you train your brain that your life is  happy and fulfilling, your life will become so.

5. Create your dreams. Create your own opportunities and jump into them. Whatever you want in life, find out how to go about getting it. You can ask for help, start researching, take action and move in big and small steps toward what you wish for.

6. Touch others lives. We all have a responsibility to live by example. This means becoming the best "true us"that is possible. When we become our authentic selves, we feel happier, and can touch someone's life by just giving them a sentence of advice, smiling or even helping them out.

Remember that true perfection is when you find your authentic self, know who you truly are and let it out, and feel amazing in your own skin. You can define perfection as your own special ideal that is the real you. How wonderful to let that out to the world and not have to be like anyone else.

Jenae Noonan MMA National Champion // Passion Power Confidence with Kim ...

Explore Living in your Full Positive Power: Kim Somers Egelsee at TEDxGl...

Time to Bloom by Kim Somers Egelsee

"It's never too late to achieve, grow and become! You can begin to bloom today! "Kim Somers Egelsee

When I was a child, teen and young adult, I never won awards, was the last to get picked on teams,didn't get recognition, and really felt I wasn't exceptional at any one thing. I just saw that I was pretty good at a couple of things, and that maybe that was me. It used to make me a bit sad. However, I continued to study, work on myself, and move forward.

        I worked as a waitress while chasing an acting career, worked as a model, actor, extra, host, at gyms, sang back up in a rock group, did some producing and some PR and more. I worked in the field of special education and felt very good about that, but still didn't feel in my purpose completely. 

I had several periods in my life when I hit bottom and climbed my way out. I met and worked with different mentors. I sifted through several friendships, making sure they were a positive influence.

         I remained positive, believing in myself, and dedicated to stepping into my true life's purpose. I had spent years studying Jim Rohn, Og Mandino and other personal development greats. I had my college degree, credentials and experience, and with the encouragement of several mentors, began life coaching on the side. As I remained open to my purpose soaring in, I started studying with Niurka, getting certified in NLP, and Supreme Influence. I  had a huge breakthrough and realized that teaching others to live extraordinary lives was my true purpose, met Nung Rigor who encouraged me to begin inspirational speaking, and it all was fueled from there. I woke up one day, knowing I was 100%  in my passion and purpose and it was spectacular. I spoke at events and coached people. I refined my speaking by saying yes to many exciting events, asking for chances to speak, and creating my own opportunities and jumping into them; which included doing 100 of my own events, workshops and meetings in only three years.

     This has all paid off and my life has shifted to an very extra fulfilling level. I have now won eight awards in the last two years for my connecting, writing, coaching and speaking; a far cry from my childhood winning nothing. I did a prestigious Tedx talk, co hosted an international show, wrote a #1 best selling book and much more. I am now working with the man behind all of the mentors like Og Mandino, Zig Zigler and Brian Tracey that  I grew up with; Jim Rohn's 18 year partner and the founder of Jim Rohn International; Kyle Wilson on events, with Lessons From Network and as a confidence expert.

     This has been a life long build up of knowledge, experiences, wisdom, mistakes, successes and study. But in the last four years my purpose and passion was born, fueled and is flying high. Go for your dreams. Stay in strong belief in yourself and your visions. Believe you will get there, and go far.

Confidence to Stand Before A Crowd by Ahtisham Khero

Academic Learning Giving you Confidence to Stand Before the Crowd

By Ahtisham Khero

Each day brings something new for you with something to learn from.  I want to share an experience that happened to me during my master degree program where I was given a very difficult assignment in completing a presentation.  The course I was taking “management decisions” was taught by a very strict teacher, so people were cautious while completing the assigned tasks.  The task he presented was to find any article related to business or management.  The article was then to be presented in front of the class giving an intro and explaining your article.  The presentation is scored out of 15 points, and it is very difficult to get full marks.  The presentation was to be completed within 5 minutes without escaping any point of the article.  The marks which you will achieve in presentation will be counted in final.  The following day after the assignment was given I spoke with my fellow and friend who I looked to for guidance.  I still was not clear on all of the guidelines so I decided to ask the professor in the next session for more details, and then could move forward with completing the assignment.  After a few days the class finally came and I spoke with the teacher during the class break.  The conversation went as follows:

I: Excuse me Sir

Sir: Yes

I: Sir, I would like to ask you about the presentation task which you had given the last week I want to know which kind of article it should be?

Sir: So you haven’t even picked the article? You know today is the last day to e-mail me what you have to present in upcoming sessions?

I: Yes, I do understand I need to have the article turned in by this evening, but if I select any irrelevant article then it will not be considered.  I thought it would be better to ask first. (I said this while feeling embarrassed).

Sir: I don’t think you will have time to get an article. If a person doesn’t know yet what he should present, and which article he should pick, and couldn’t find the article in last 2 – 3 weeks to email me, how can you find it and send it to me in one day?  You have a few hours remaining, until 2am.

(I felt embarrassed because a few fellows were listening to this and I felt he put the question marks on my abilities and felt that he was clearly underestimating my abilities.  I maintained my composure and continued my converstation.)

I: Ok sir, I have a few hours left, and I will e-mail you a few articles tonight.

The class ended at 9:30 pm.  I went straight to home and sat on my laptop without having dinner and started searching for articles.  It took half an hour and I picked a total of three articles which were lengthy.  This was going to be a challenge to present these articles in only 5 minutes but I sent all three articles instead of one asking the teacher for guidance to which direction I should go in.

The following morning I received the reply from the professor stating which one he preferred.  The heading of the article chosen was “The Leadership Skills for Managers,” and it was 12 pages from a chapter of the book. It was tough, but I prepared myself.  I completed my presentation as precisely as possible.  I perfected my presentation and started rehearsing regularly until the day of the presentation.

The professor was strict in marking but a good person by nature.  He split the presentations into two classes breaking them up by lunch inbetween.  The day finally came and everyone took their seats and awaited their presentations.  All the students who got up before me were doing fine, but there was not any really impressive presentations during the first two hours of the session.  Most of the students were speaking with paper in their hands, reading their main points and explanations.  Suddenly at 12:50pm my name was called, “Now Ahtisham.”

 I presented myself to the class in a formal dress code, looking the part.  I started to speak with confidence with strong vocal power.  I grabbed the attention of every listener in the audience. I was confident and rocked the floor with my magical presentation.  Everyone was surprised by my performance.  They were not expecting any quality work from me in doing my presentation because they perceived me as ordinary performer from the start.  And here, suddenly, they have seen something rocking, and someone who changed their perception!  Due to my body language, my vocal power, the spark that came into me, I broke down the walls to their mind and opened them up to new thoughts and ideas.  Even as I was explaining points everyone started clapping for me.  Again I was given applause as I concluded my presentation.  They applauded and congratulated me.  As I finished my presentation the professor said, “Today’s best presentation so far, I just read this article in the morning and let me tell you it consists of 12 pages which he precisely summarized without escaping anything and presented in just 4minutes 15 seconds!  Considering time limit in mind, well done!”

I felt glad as I climbed the mountain and rose to the top with the whole class liking my performance. Even today I realize that those words which embarrassed me from the teacher were only to bring out the best in me in a short period of time.  In that discussion with the teacher I felt bad and thought to prove the teacher wrong, which I did.  The teacher’s harsh words brought out the best of me.  And at the end of the day I had the satisfaction of having my presentation be the main topic for lunch that day.  Again being appreciated at lunch by my professor, and being accomplished among my peers.