Level YourSelf UP: Recent Episodes
Level YourSelf UP
Dive into the latest episode of our podcast, “How Is Your Self-Image?” where we dive into the factors that influence how we perceive ourselves. From societal pressures to personal experiences,
Join us as we examine the impact of perfectionism, comparisons to others, and negative feedback on our self-image. We invite you to reflect on your own self-perception and share your thoughts with us. How do you see yourself?
Perfectionism:
So, when we’re constantly aiming for perfection and setting those super high standards, it’s like setting ourselves up for a fall. You know, we end up beating ourselves up when we can’t meet those unrealistic expectations.
Comparisons to Others:
Ah, you know how it is, especially nowadays with social media everywhere. We’re always looking at other people’s lives and feeling like we’re just not measuring up. It’s a recipe for feeling inadequate and blaming ourselves.
Past Mistakes:
We all mess up sometimes, right? But dwelling on those mistakes or what we see as failures just keeps us stuck. It’s like we’re trapped in this cycle of self-criticism that stops us from moving forward.
Negative Feedback:
It’s tough when we hear criticism or negative stuff from others. Sometimes, even if it’s meant to be helpful, we take it to heart and start blaming ourselves even more. It’s like we amplify that self-blame.
Imposter Syndrome:
Ever feel like you’re not really as good as people think you are? Yeah, that’s imposter syndrome for you. Even when we achieve something, we doubt ourselves and end up blaming ourselves for not being good enough.
Unrealistic Expectations:
We’ve all done it – set these crazy high expectations for ourselves. But when reality doesn’t match up, it’s like a punch in the gut. We end up disappointed and then, you guessed it, blaming ourselves for not reaching those impossible goals.
Body Image Issues:
Man, society’s beauty standards can really mess with our heads, can’t they? Constantly bombarded with images of perfection, it’s no wonder we start blaming ourselves for not looking a certain way. It’s like we’re never good enough.
Lack of Boundaries:
It’s hard to say no sometimes, right? We end up taking on too much, burning ourselves out, and then blaming ourselves for not being able to handle it all. We gotta learn to set those boundaries and give ourselves a break.
Fear of Rejection:
Who likes feeling left out or not fitting in? Nobody, that’s who. But when we start blaming ourselves for not being accepted, it’s like adding insult to injury. We gotta cut ourselves some slack and realize we’re not always gonna click with everyone.
Negative Childhood Experiences:
Our past can really mess with our heads, huh? Especially if we had a rough time growing up. Those early experiences stick with us, shaping how we see ourselves and yeah, sometimes leading to self-blame down the line. It’s tough, but we gotta work through it.
These verses can serve as sources of inspiration and encouragement for those seeking positive affirmations from the bible
- Philippians 4:13 (NIV):
- “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
- Psalm 139:14 (NIV):
- “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
- Isaiah 41:10 (NIV):
- “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
- Romans 8:37 (NIV):
- “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
- Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV):
- “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
- Psalm 34:17-18 (NIV):
- “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
- Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV):
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
- Matthew 11:28 (NIV):
- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Positive affirmations can be impactful without being overly cliché. Here are five affirmations that can say to uplift yourself:
- I am capable and resilient. I can handle whatever comes my way with grace and strength.
- My worth is not determined by my productivity. I am valuable just as I am, and I deserve to prioritize self-care.
- I trust in my abilities and believe in my potential. Each day, I am becoming the best version of myself.
- I embrace progress, not perfection. I celebrate my efforts, and I am proud of the journey I’m on.
- I am deserving of happiness, love, and success. I attract positive opportunities, and I am open to the abundance of life.
Ever found yourself under the weather with a calendar full of appointments, responsibilities looming, and a job that won’t wait? We’ve all been there.
In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing practical tips and insights to help you power through and manage your commitments, even on days when your energy is running low. Let’s dive into strategies that can make a difference in pushing through the hurdles when duty calls.
- Discuss the importance of recognizing and accepting when you’re not feeling well.
- Highlight that it’s okay to acknowledge your limitations.
- Emphasize the significance of focusing on essential responsibilities.
- Discuss breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps to make them less overwhelming.
- Encourage reaching out to colleagues, friends, or family for assistance when needed.
Key points: acknowledge feelings, prioritize tasks, break it down, practice self-care, and seek support.
How To Become The Person You Want To BE?
- Decide Who You Want to Be
- Discuss the significance of making conscious decisions about the person you want to become.
- Explore the idea of being tossed to and fro when lacking a clear sense of identity.
- Explore the question: How do you decide who you want to be?
- Encourage to reflect on their values, passions, and long-term goals.
- Discuss the importance of aligning personal goals with core values for lasting fulfillment.
- Offer practical tips on self-discovery, such as journaling, meditation, or seeking guidance from mentors.
- Emphasize the power of dreaming big and setting ambitious goals.
- Discuss the idea that even if you fail, aiming high can lead to significant personal growth and success.
- List common obstacles that may be holding individuals back from becoming the person they desire.
- Identify their own barriers and challenges.
- Provide strategies for overcoming obstacles, such as breaking goals into smaller steps or seeking support from friends and family.
- Discuss the importance of accountability in personal development.
- Encourage to share their goals with someone they trust for support and feedback.
- Emphasize the value of tracking progress and celebrating small victories along the way.
Ephesians 4:14
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
https://drmsh.com/image-god-imaging-god/
How would you decide what you are wasting time or energy on ?
- Productivity vs. Reflection: Evaluate whether your thoughts are contributing to productivity or personal growth. Reflecting on experiences or planning can be valuable, while excessive worry or overthinking may be less productive.
- Goal Alignment: Assess whether your thoughts align with your short-term and long-term goals. If your thoughts are not contributing to your objectives, it might be worth reconsidering their focus.
- Positive vs. Negative Impact: Consider whether your thoughts have a positive or negative impact on your mental well-being. Positive and constructive thoughts are generally more beneficial than negative or self-critical ones.
- Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness to be aware of your thoughts without judgment. This can help you identify unproductive thought patterns and redirect your focus.
- Time Management: Evaluate how much time you spend on certain thoughts. If you find yourself spending excessive time on unproductive thoughts, it may be a sign to shift your focus.
- Value Assessment: Assess the value of your thoughts in terms of personal development, learning, or creativity. Valuable thoughts contribute positively to your overall well-being.
5 Takeaways:
- Awareness is Key: Recognize when your thoughts or actions are counterproductive.
- Time Management Matters: Assess how you spend your time to identify areas for improvement.
- Personal Stories Connect: Listener stories make the topic relatable and offer diverse perspectives.
- Practical Strategies: Provide actionable techniques for redirecting focus and energy positively.
- Continuous Improvement: Emphasize that developing mindful focus is an ongoing process; small changes lead to significant results.
Get ready to elevate your life with the latest from LevelYourselfUp! 🚀 In this podcast, we bring you 3 empowering books that I recommend in 2023, top 3 podcasts for inspiration, and exciting plans for future episodes. Let’s embark on a journey of self-improvement together!
Top 3 Books:
- “Be Useful” by Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Description: Practical advice and inspirational stories for a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
- Key Points:
- Have a vision: Clarify your values, strengths, passions, and the impact you want to make.
- Be grateful: Practice gratitude to stay positive and motivated.
- Work hard: No substitute for hard work; set realistic goals and find a mentor.
- Be persistent: Don’t give up on your dreams; learn from mistakes and celebrate successes.
- Be kind: Treat others with respect, compassion, and humility.
- Give back: Help others and find fulfillment in making a difference.
- Link: Be Useful
- “You Can’t Screw This Up” by Adam Bornstein
- Description: A self-help book on sustainable weight loss, demystifying the diet industry.
- Key Points:
- Emphasizes imperfection and practicality in dieting.
- Backed by research, with a focus on making life better.
- Includes a wealth of recipes, tips, and exercise routines.
- Link: You Can’t Screw This Up
- “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries
- Description: Guides entrepreneurs in creating successful businesses through continuous improvement.
- Key Takeaways:
- Learnable process for entrepreneurship.
- Goal: Quickly identify what customers want and will pay for.
- Customers reveal truths through actions.
- Test and validate hypotheses, use MVPs for rapid feedback.
- Link: The Lean Startup
Top 3 Podcasts for 2023:
- Mini Miracles for Minor Moments by Linda Gullo
- In the Studio With Michael Card
- Arnold’s Pump Club by Arnold Schwarzenegger
Show Notes for LevelYourselfUp Podcast:
- Plans for future episodes: New episodes every 2 weeks.
- LevelYourselfUp Podcast
How to spot spam emails or letters from the mail
Look for generic greetings such as “Dear valued customer” or “Dear friend” instead of using your name.
Check for spelling and grammar errors, as these are often present in spam emails.
Be wary of emails or letters that ask for personal information such as passwords or social security numbers.
Be suspicious of emails or letters that contain urgent language, such as “act now” or “limited time offer.”
Watch out for emails or letters that come from an unfamiliar sender, Be cautious of emails or letters that contain attachments or links, these could be malicious and should be scanned with antivirus software before opening.
Check for a physical address, phone number, and return email address if it’s a letter. Spam letters often lack this information.
Be aware of phishing emails, which are designed to trick you into providing personal information or login credentials.
Trust your instincts and delete any email or letter that seems suspicious.
Top spam tools used to trick people
Phishing scams: These involve sending emails or messages that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or a popular website, used to trick people into providing personal information or login credentials.
Malware: This can be delivered through malicious attachments or links in emails or messages, which, when clicked, can infect a computer with malware such as viruses, ransomware, or keyloggers.
Vishing: This is a form of phishing that uses phone calls to trick people into providing personal information or transferring money.
Smishing: This is a form of phishing that uses text messages to trick people into providing personal information or downloading malware.
Business email compromise (BEC): This type of scam targets businesses by tricking employees into transferring money or providing sensitive information.
Social engineering: This is a broad term that refers to any tactic used to trick people into divulging personal information or performing actions that they wouldn’t normally do.
Spear-phishing: this is a type of phishing that is targeted to specific individuals or organizations, using information that the attackers have gathered about their target.
These are just some examples of the most common spam tools used to trick people, but new and more sophisticated methods are continually being developed by cyber criminals. It’s important to stay vigilant and not to share personal information with any suspicious emails, letters, or calls.
Steps for choosing your best word of the year:
First, seek the Lord and ask him for direction
List the things you want to focus on this year.
Determine the common theme[s] of your list.
List some words that would work.
Decide which of the words on your list feels like it will be the MOST motivational.
OR try
What could I use more of in my life?
What could I use less of in my life?
What characteristics would I like to have?
By the end of the day, I feel (fill in the blank).
How do I want to feel?
Let God bring it to the surface.
Bible Verse – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. —Philippians 4:6
This podcast is all about what has gone on since the last podcast was released on June 1 of 2022.
I discuss format changes it’s going to happen on this podcast along with the new schedule being released every two weeks instead of every week.
I would like you to think about a few things before the next podcast what brings you the most joy in your life?
What’s one or two things that you can do that would bring you the most happiness question
And also what are one or two things you would like to change for the year?
I also discussed coming up with one word that would describe the year. I’ve kind of landed on the word, it is transition for me.
Now, you don’t have to do this for the whole year matter of fact just do it for 3 months at a time.
And I guess my overall message for this podcast is that we all struggle and have things that we have to fight through let’s not focus on the pain or frustration but focus on what we can do to get through the struggle to get through the pain. What is God trying to teach us through this?
Always look at each situation as a way to grow and improve as a person
Psalm 37:23-24 “The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand
Create a de-cluttering checklist Don’t overwhelm yourself; start small Does it bring you joy? Reconsider your routine. Remove toxic people from your life Tidy up your workspace and vehicle Use the four-box method. The four-box method is an effective way to help your clutter. Just find four boxes and label them with the following categories: […]
You may think any type of stress is bad, but that isn’t the case. Good stress is the type of stress you feel when you’re excited. Your pulse quickens and your hormones surge, but there is no threat or fear. You might feel this type of stress when you ride a roller coaster, compete in […]
Thanks to Linda I was inspired to do this podcast so check her out at lindagullo.com 5 reasons to be Spontaneous 1. You stay fresh 2. You’re more flexible 3. You’re more creative 4. You’re less stressed out 5. You’re happier
Which spiritual or emotional season are you experiencing right now? Just as we experience the changing natural seasons, we are also subject to changing experiential seasons in our life. We can find great encouragement in identifying which season we are currently experiencing. There is just something about knowing that we are not the only ones […]
All important decision must be made on paper – stop looping thinking through what ifs and so forth 1. State the problem On paper Write the Problem But be clear What do you want and WHY and How will you know when you get it. 2. Get the advice and opinions of others Seek information […]
What are our beliefs? A belief system is an ideology or set of principles that helps us to interpret our everyday life. These beliefs are shaped and influenced your life. Stop Stinking thinking Positive mindset- it’s not just about being positive its finding the good in the bad How is life happening for you – […]
Ways to know and learn about God/Jesus Serving Ministries Community Your career Learning Bible study Learning how you think vs what the bible says Reflection Read the Word Being Meditation Prayer Seeing how God moving in everything Gathering Praising and worshiping Meeting with friends Social Connections Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary […]
All relationships are important God Spouse Children Parents Friends Order of our Relationships Handling relationships when they done wanting to have relationships with us Good vs Bad BAD What are toxic relationships? Controlling Behaviors One who manipulates Constant putting you down or likes to correct you Tells you that not what you mean – we […]
Time How do we waste time ? How to improve our use of time? Can you get time back ? How we spend time? I talk a little about Muda which means futility; uselessness; wastefulness and is a key concept in lean process thinking. Tool of Lean 8 Types of Wastes: 1) Unused human talent […]
Set-backs and failures are part of life, and if you are an leader, how you handle set-backs and failures will determine your long-term success, How we handle them can setup for success or failure. Do we let them ruin the rest of the day or our plan I say NO we adjust and adapt.
Health Its not just about diets but about Sleep, Breathing, Resting, Quality of Food, Drinking Water Rest Rest is one of the greatest gifts God gave to mankind. Rest is synonymous to peace. Naturally, we link rest with sleep. But I think we should look at rest more like we of stop doing what we […]
5 Things you can do to improve 2022
Think about what is going good in your life we tend to focus on the bad.
IT is small consistent choices that add up the compounding effect.
- Retrain your thinking
- Positive mind set- its not just about being positive its finding the good in the bad how is life happening for you – Life is happening for you not to you.
- Mindset and our internal thinking
- You have to want to change, you have to want to see the good
- Health
- Its not just about diets- diets don’t work
- Sleep is important
- Breathing
- Resting
- Quality of Food
- Drinking Water
- Relationships
- God – how do you relate to God, is he personal to you?
- Spouse –
- Kids
- Friends
- Everyone else
- Time
- You can never get time back
- How do we waste time ?
- How to improve our use of time?
- Is time a dimension we live in?
- Spirituality
- No matter your belief system you have a religion you live by
- Our Spirituality is personal and part of our belief system
- Our Spirituality effects all parts of our life.
Romans 12:2 – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
So this week I talk about where I have been since the last episode, and the future of the podcast.
A lot has happened and I feel time to get back in the saddle again.
I want to share a videos that I used as therapy while I was in the hospital. I created the list while I laid in bed in ICU with Covid,
YouTube Play list
If you have a topics you would like to about please email me
Psalms 27:1″For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
This whole show is about my time in the hospital and my recovery so far.
Being grateful for the Nurses, Doctors, Friends and family that surrounded us.
most of all to my daughters for their stepping taking care of things.
but mostly to Jesus the Author and finisher of my faith.
LYSU Ep 84
So this week I talk about resting and reset.
I want to encourage you to find a way to rest and reset.
That may mean that we need to look at our goals reevaluate them or even re-defined them.
Rest and reset can provide a course correction and this is what shipping and airliners do to make sure they are on the correct course and based on the correct data and observation they adjust to course to their destination.
Because life tends to get us a bit off course once in a while.
I think Rest can look different depending on the person, what you’re going through, so let’s not look at the normal idea of resting as not doing nothing BUT could include that.
Thank about what are some ways you can destress or reevaluate where you’re at?
and I also think we need to work this in our daily lives, either weekly or daily spend time in “REST”
Below are some ideas that might help you rest and reset
Suggestions to resting
Take a break from Social media
Getting away alone
Do something fun
Get enough sleep
Spend time with Family & Friends
Read a book
Find a way to de-stress
And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when He rested from all His work of creation.
~ Genesis 2:3
Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God.
~ Exodus 20:8-10
And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.
~Exodus 33:14
In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.
~Psalm 4:8
He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
~Psalm 23:2-3
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him.
~Psalm 37:7
Advantages of Personal Organization
What are the advantages of organization?
- Reduces anxiety and stress caused by not having control of things
- Increases your efficiency, enabling you to do more things in less time
- Frees up time to accomplish more things
- Creates healthy organization and filing habits that allow you to search for and find things much faster
- Generates responsibility
- Induces self-control and discipline
So what stops of from getting organized ?
- Procrastination, the act of leaving something to be done later when there is no consequence for not performing a task
- Mental tiredness
- Physical tiredness
- Lack of prioritization
- Lack of definition in tasks
- Problems with self-discipline
Tips to think about
- A place for Everything and Everything in its place
For everything that you own, designate a place for it.
Something doesn’t have a place? Make one. Then simply put things back where they belong when you’ve finished using them.
It’s simple and effective, but hard to do at first until you consistently form the habit.
IF you don’t like where it is MAKE a NEW HOME for it.
- Designate times
One of the best ways to keep your life organized is to create routines.
You probably have a morning routine on working days. What about lunchtimes, evenings and weekends?
Routines mean you don’t have to constantly make decisions about what to do and when to do it. For example, you could routinely check your personal emails at lunchtime.
You can have too much of a good thing though; use enough routine to make a difference, but not so much that you get bored.
- Start small
If you want to know how to organize your desk, home or office, you don’t have to conquer everything at once. Choose a small chunk (maybe the top of your desk, or a drawer?) and organize that.
Use the tip after this one to keep it organized, and practice that system until it becomes habit.
Once you’ve got on top of that you can expand your to something else.
- Put it away promptly and properly
Done using something? Most people will put it down somewhere nearby, with the intention of putting it away later. But disorganized places are full of these intentions.
Instead of letting things pile up, put them away immediately.
This principle applies for pretty much anything.
- Capture it
Information and requests come at you verbally, digitally or on paper.
Use the simplest, fewest and most accessible capture tools you can to act as your inboxes.
Have an in tray and dump everything on that, then choose a regular time to go through it. This works particularly well if you really want to organize paperwork.
- Keep filing simple
If your filing system is too complicated or inaccessible, chances are you won’t use it.
- Make sure it’s usable
If you’re still not sure how to get organized, ask yourself two questions:
Have I formed the habits I need to get and stay organized, and are my systems simple and accessible enough?
This week I talk about the compounding effect of making the right decision and how we make our life better not by big leaps but by daily choices
John 16:33 NIV “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
“A daily routine built on good habits and disciplines separates the most successful among us from everyone else. A routine is exceptionally powerful.”
― Darren Hardy
This week I explain what was going on and what I learned.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)
- Start your day right That means spending time with God Psalm 5:3 “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”
- When a problem arises and they will ask what does this makes possible?
- Be in a state of growing and learning
- Be determined to overcome to get the victory
- Be in gratitude find something to be thankful for every day. When you start feeling bad or get the upset think of something to be grateful for.
- Focus on what is going right or where you are going not on your past and not on your mistakes.
Remember your thoughts are important but it is also the actions that we take that are important.
Then it goes both ways we can think all day that we should be doing this and doing that and NOT take action on anything and we won’t see any change.
OR or we can be doing a lot of things and see real changes going on and still focus on the bad and will have these mental roadblocks and feel depressed and upset this will cause you to stop taking action or slow you down,
This week I talk about how to learn fast, did you ever want to learn something or need to learn something this week here a 5 tips to speed up the process.
- Have a good reason have a purpose for learning.
- Participate in the learning don’t just be passive.
Don’t just read a book involved with your fingers your ears your eyes build or create something as you learn.
You learn more from doing than any other method 3. Teach someone what you’re learning no the material well enough to teach it to others
Also learn from the point of you you’re going to have to explain it that you have to teach it will force you to know the material better 4. Learn with a deadline set a deadline three months a month two months a year whatever is practical set a deadline has specific goals a goal without a plan is a wish 5. Believe in yourself ignore the haters the doubters you must believe in yourself ignore what others have said even the teachers of peoples put you down watch your own self talk remember everyone started at the beginning everyone was a beginner and you can do it
This week I talk about the 4 battlefields we all struggle with
Some days it is totally obvious but other days it is subtle or not even noticeable. We are in a battle. It may not be one that we can see, but none-the-less, it is real.
- Emotional battles- dealing with love, pain, disappointment, and hurt feeling.
- Intellectual battles of the mind – our self talk, feeling loved, fears and most of all over thinking.
- Physical battles of what to eat, how to eat , pain in our body’s, cancer, other healthy issues.
- Spiritual battlefield. Ultimately this is an eternal life or death battle. Christians find their security in Christ; however, there is a real, day-to-day battle of flesh versus spirit which affects our peace of mind.
Half the battle is the awareness OF THE battle. This is not a “one and done” fight. It is an ongoing daily fight. We don’t get to “get it and set it”.
Become aware of the impact of the daily voices and the daily choices!
You are in a battle but you are not alone–
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”-Philippians 4:6-7
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.I do not give you as the world gives.Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27