Power of Positive Podcast: Recent Episodes
imnikki
On more than one occasion I’ve been told I’m annoyingly positive. Each Monday, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from research and personal experiences bettering my health, mindset, relationships, confidence and self love to help us both LIVE a happy life!
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Once again we are talking about Motivation. Lack of motivation is a reoccurring topic that I hear it over and over again from people. So many are looking for motivation when in my opinion that is not what is missing. Listen in as I share what to focus on instead.
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You are the Creator of your life.
What you think about yourself becomes your reality. Be gentle with yourself, compassionate with yourself and trust yourself. You control your reality.
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Since it is May, I'm re-sharing an about Mental Health. Here is Episode 165
Thankfully we now live in a society where talking about mental health is no longer taboo. Taking time for mental health practices isn't just for those who are depressed or have a diagnosed mental health condition. Everyone can benefit from taking time for mental health practices. With May being Mental Health Awareness month, I'm sharing my top mental health habits in this week's episode.
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What you Focus on determines how you will Feel.
What you Feel determines what you Do.
Your thoughts are Powerful and your Power is in Your Thoughts.
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This week I'm sharing 4 areas to focus on each week or each day to stay mentally fit.
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This week I'm sharing a Mel Robbins quote that really resonates with me.
"The longer you entertain what’s not for you, the longer you postpone what is." - Mel Robbins
Take a moment to reflect with me on what we are focusing on, knowing that What you focus on grows.
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Spring means cleaning up not only our physical spaces (which do help mental health!) but also spring cleaning for our mental and emotional health, getting rid of what is no longer serving us.
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While it may feel that you need to fit a certain mold or check a specific box, reality is that you can be more than.
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Taking action based on your Feelings means leaving it to chance.
Take action, instead on how you want to Feel.
Reframe your thinking to take intentional action to feel good!
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Waiting to take action until we are motivated or inspired just doesn't work. Listen in as I share what to do instead.
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If someone is celebrating you, there is a reason. This week's episode isn't so much of about tips or problem solving - this one is more of a reminder.
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This is about the time of year when most people have given up on their New Year's Resolutions. If you made a NYR and are having a hard time sticking with it or have already given up, this one is for you. Listen in as I share what I do to form life lasting habits.
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We can’t rely on motivation. We can't wait until we feel like it. Motivation won’t strike you like a bolt of lightning, filling you with energy and desire to do that thing you’ve been putting off. This week I'm sharing what to do instead of relying on motivation.
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As always, I'm sharing my life experiences and what I'm learning. This week I'm sharing how decluttering my office has given me a boost in motivation to be more productive and a feeling of less stress.
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Your worth is not defined by what or how much you accomplish. This is your reminder that you are just as worthy of love, success, and happiness as someone who you deem as more successful than you. <3
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If you ask for help that means you're weak is simply not true. You can be strong, smart, confident and independent AND ask for help.
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Your Life Doesn't Have to Make Sense to Anyone Else. How you spend your money, your time, your beliefs - all things that people may judge us on but other people’s opinion of you is none of your business. My motto is - It doesn’t matter if other people like me, what matters is that I like me.
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With the recent winter weather in the midwest, I thought it was an appropriate time to talk about SAD and different ways to combat the symptoms.
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Not hitting the snooze is something I was able to overcome a few years ago and now am passionate about helping others do that same. In this episode I'm sharing why it's important to not hit snooze and how you can undo the habit too.
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Welcome to 2024! This is the time we think about new goals and habits for the new year. We make new plans for the new year and want to succeed but how? What's the key to success? Listen in as I share my Ultimate Success Hack.
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Last week we talked about not setting New Year's Resolution. Setting goals works but even better is committing to habits. This week I'm sharing the 1 habit I think is most life changing. Listen in now to find out what it is and plan to make it a habit for 2024.
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Instead of repeating myself, I decided to just repost the episode on New Year's Resolutions....why I don't believe in setting them and what I do instead. Listen to this episode for how not to set New Year's Resolutions.
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When days are long and monotony starts to set in, skipping routine may feel like the right thing to do but is it best practice? This week I'm sharing my experience with breaking my daily routine on the weekends, thinking a break from it would benefit me.
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All too often we are the thing that's holding us back. We tell ourselves we have to wait for XYZ before we will start working on the new habit or goal. This is your reminder that you don't need the right circumstances or the perfect time - just show up! Start now. Take messy, imperfect action...because action is the thing that will get you to where you want to be.
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While this time of year should be full of Joy, it can often bring stress and overwhelm. This week I'm sharing my personal experiences with this and some tips on overcoming the holiday overwhelm.
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Multitasking has become such a norm it's almost expected of us, but is it really the best method? Listen in as I share some facts, some myths and some personal thoughts about Multitasking.
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How you feel is entirely up to you. I share this because I spent years wasting away a day staying stuck in a feeling and now that I know different, I do differently and I want the same for you.
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A challenge for the last 60 days of 2023. Forming healthy habits to end the year strong AND building the foundation for the new year. Listen in as I share the 6 areas to build habits and the optional accountability.
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Or email me: imnikki@gmail.com
One of my favorite mantra’s “let the day happen or take action for a good day”
I am a firm believer in forming habits that set yourself up for success. In this episode, I’m sharing some my best practices to win the day.
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This is something I personally struggle with. Like I have said before I share what I think and feel and am going through because if I am, it's likely someone is having the same experience. Listen in as I share the shift I took to improve my connecting with opposite personalities.
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Much of life is out of your control. Take control of what you can control. Build your confidence and belief by keeping the promises you make to yourself.
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This week I'm sharing one simple habit to grow your happiness. Once you train your brain to find the good, you’ll start to see more good.
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We talk about not comparing ourselves to people we see on social media but we don't often talk about self comparison. It’s hard to not compare yourself to the You that you used to be but we need to first think about - do we WANT to be that version of ourselves? Do we want to devote the time to become that person? Is it even realistic?
This a reminder to Honor the YOU you Were and Embrace the YOU you Are Today.
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It can be hard to form a new habit and even harder to keep the habit. If the new habit is a positive or healthy habit, it may not be rewarding at first. It could feel uncomfortable or hard. Habit building is a process, in this episode I'm sharing some tips to help that process go a little smoother.
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Don't rule out Meditation if you've tried it before and think it's not for you.
You don’t have to be completely still.
You don’t have to sit in silence.
You don’t have to try to stop thinking.
You don’t have to sit crosslegged on a pillow.
Maybe these work for you but if they don’t, that’s ok too.
Maybe you just haven't found your method yet, maybe walking meditation is for you.
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Whether you’re listening to this episode on Labor Day or another day - I encourage you to allow time for rest.
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When we find ourselves in a spot of self doubt, fear, self-sabotage, not showing up as our best selves - Give ourselves Permission to be Human. Forgive ourselves and Love ourselves anyway, just as we are.
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Feeling as though we can’t be happy or feel accomplished until the goal is complete, delaying happiness doesn't have to be your method! Thinking this way means we are missing the opportunity to celebrate our small successes along the way, which builds momentum and will in the end help us achieve our goals faster! Switching to the AND way of thinking means we can be proud of our success AND still want to work towards achieving more.
Our brains are so used to this all or nothing mindset that it will take some time to make this shift to AND….give yourself some grace as you learn to shift your self talk from OR to AND and start living the AND life.
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Your Inner Critic - that voice inside your head telling you that you need to be something different than you are. That’s the voice telling you that you’re not enough. The voice of self-doubt. The source of those negative thoughts, are you allowing that voice to be your guide?
Listen in as I share how to stop those thoughts and make the shift back to positivity.
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It's back to school season...happening this week in our house 😳 In this episode I share my process to move through anxiety induced by transition
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Thoughts are so incredible powerful. What we think becomes our reality. While we can’t control our thoughts, we can control what meaning we give our thoughts.
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In Episode 171: What Matters Most- we talked about how it's the activities that we do most of the time that are most important. In this episode we're talking about what to do when those sometimes activities (like on vacation or special occasions) turn into Most of the time activities. Listen in as I share how my own sometimes activities have turned into most of the time.
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There's likely one things you're doing everyday to sabotage yourself and your day. Listen in to find out what it is and what to do about it
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Most of the stress in our lives is out of our control. Focusing on what we can not change gets us no where. Instead - change your perspective to find the good, that's when you'll start experiencing inner peace.
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Enjoy the vacations, treats and special occasion - they happen occasionally. Enjoy Life and remind yourself that what you do most of the time is what matters most.
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Expectations can keep us from being present in the moment and blind us from what we do have to be thankful for. Take this mindset shift with me: release expectations for how things should be and focus on finding the joy, the good in what is.
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That thing you've been procrastinating on, Just Do it Already. Easier said than done, yes but avoiding the thing causes so much more stress on ourselves. Stop giving space in your mind for those reminders to do the thing and Just Do it Already.
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Grateful and Thankful, sort of the same thing? In this episode I dig into the difference between thankful and grateful. I also share how I go about my daily gratitude practice that takes less than a minute!
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You are in control of your happiness.
So much in life is out of your control - other peoples opinions, reactions & moods, maybe certain commitments or circumstances in your life - you may not be able to change those but you CAN change what you focus on and in turn, change your mood.
Listen in as I share 2 ways to live a happier life.
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As I've shared many times, this Podcast is mostly me sharing my experiences and what I'm learning. In this episode I'm sharing how I am working through this time of feeling "off". I think this episode will be particularly helpful to anyone going through a transition period in life....specifically for those in the education field or SAHM with kids in school.
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Thankfully we now live in a society where talking about mental health is no longer taboo. Taking time for mental health practices isn't just for those who are depressed or have a diagnosed mental health condition. Everyone can benefit from taking time for mental health practices. With May being Mental Health Awareness month, I'm sharing my top mental health habits in this week's episode.
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Consider these 4 things when you feel as though you've lost your motivation or are simply unmotivated. Be sure to listen to Episode 163 Motivation isn’t the Issue before listening to this Episode.
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Motivation or lack of is usually the reason we give for not doing the thing we are "supposed" to do or that thing we said we'd do....but is that really the issue? Listen in as I share one simple shift in finding motivation.
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Stop nexting yourself out of the Present! Do you have a habit of doing this too? In this episode I dig in to the possible cause and focus on giving the present moment the gratitude it deserves before rushing on to the next thing.
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Failure. We have such negative feelings about the word. Failure is inevitable, it's part of the path to success. The good news is - we get to define our failure, we get to choose the meaning and we get to decide how we feel about what we did.
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Today’s message may be a reminder or maybe a new thought and that is "One Change can Change Everything". Notice the wording, Can not Will.
I’m not claiming that you change one thing about life and your entire life changes but I do believe in the power of one change. This episode we dive into how one change can have a huge impact.
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What you Focus on Grows 💫 Are you giving your Energy to the Problem or the Solution?
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Overwhelm - it's a topic that comes up quite often. One of this show's most played episodes is Episode 31 - That Crippling sense of Overwhelm. I believe there are 2 different types of overwhelm. Temporary Overwhelm and Choice Overwhelm. In this episode I'm sharing actions you can take to overcome them both.
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Other people's opinions of you are none of your business. A quote I heard once that I occasionally need to remind myself of.
As a recovering people pleaser, I battle with what other people think of me and at the same time staying true to my authentic self.
Listen in as I share one thing you can do for others and yourself.
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Take this sign to make time to celebrate You! What you focus on grows. Instead of dwelling on all you don’t have or haven’t accomplished - find what you can celebrate. Big or small, take a moment to think of 3 things you accomplished last week. What are you proud of making progress on?
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Decision making can be stressful. Even simple decisions can take a toll over time. Much like the feeling of overwhelm, decision making can lead to inaction. This week I'm sharing some of the things I do to prevent decision Fatigue.
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Lack of Motivation is a topic that comes up quite often both with my clients one on one and in conversation in everyday life. This week I'm sharing 2 action steps to take to help increase your motivation.
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Yes, absolutely celebrate yourself. Celebrate the you that you are. The unique, imperfect, beautiful you that you are.
Also, celebrate that you that you aren’t. Celebrate leaving behind old habits and beliefs. Celebrate the progress you’ve made towards being the you-you want to be.
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Mornings start the same, 99% of the time - yesterday was a 1% day. I skipped my morning routine and my day didn't completely fall apart 😲 Listen in as I share what I did instead and why.
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It's ok to choose maintain as the goal. I'm all about setting big goals and getting outside your comfort zone but that doesn't always mean doing more. Sometimes the goal can be to maintain your current level of success and habits. You don't have to achieve more to be valued. You are worthy as you are.
If you found value in this episode, please let me know!
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In this week's episode I have the honor of talking with my dear friend, Dr. Molly McNeely. Over the last few years I've seen a shift in her, radiating joy and peace. In addition to her successful dentistry practice she is now also coaching women along the path to finding grace and less stress.
Connect with Molly on her website, Instagram and Facebook
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I believe initially fear was in relation to physical danger - as in running from a bear to survive. Fear of death. Overtime we’ve made it an emotional/social thing...worrying about failure, being judged, etc. These are the debilitating thoughts of the fearful. What can we do to combat this habit of letting fear take over?
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January is World Health Esteem Month. What is Health Esteem and why am I encouraging you to make the shift with me? New Years Resolutions don't work, we covered that in past episodes. Now listen in to find why Health Esteem is a much more realistic approach.
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The last few months have been extremely stressful for me and yet I'm happy. In the past I would get so stressed to the point of sickness. Now I've learned to find my happy through the stress. In this week's episode I'm sharing some of the practices I use to reduce my stress and enjoy life, not just survive.
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What worked once may not be what you need anymore. Embrace that. Recognize what you need now and release any guilt or negative feelings about not continuing habits that no longer serve you. Embrace the You that You are Now
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Setting Resolutions is the common practice for the new year and even though we know we won’t keep them, we set them anyway. Why? Why do we do this? I think it’s because we want to do better. We want to make a change. And the new year feels like a good time to do it. I agree. The problem is we have this all or nothing mentality. That’s not reality. There is no such thing as perfect. Instead of all or nothing - let’s focus on sustainability. Listen to this episode for how not to set New Years Resolutions.
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As we close out the year, I encourage you to take some time to reflect. Set goals another day. Use this time to simply celebrate you. No need to dwell on what you didn’t accomplish or the things that didn’t go your way - simply focus on what you want more of.
Do this with me and then share with me so I can celebrate with you!
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Stress is high for many right now. While we can't change that, we can shift from a constant state of worry to focusing on what is in your control. Focus on your blessings. Focus on what you DO have instead of what you don’t. By doing this you’re training your brain to find the good.
Start with choosing just one thing to celebrate or be grateful for. Sit with that feeling for a bit. We're not ignoring the worry, stress and anxiety - we acknowledge it and then choose different.
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Holiday Stress hits me every year when it comes to shopping. This year (as I'm reminding myself) I'm sharing my top 3 ideas for gifts giving.
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Quotes, books and even people can easily turn from sources of inspiration to sources of jealousy. We focus on what we lack - what we don’t have or have not achieved. But what if it’s just a habit? What if instead of seeing those who’ve succeeded ahead of you as competition, you saw them as allies? What if you saw people sharing their success as helpful? I know that's easier said than done, so listen in for my 3 steps to turn that jealousy into inspiration.
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Emotional Hunger - Anytime you're reaching for food when you know you're not hungry but instead, using food to deal with an emotion. For some that can be feeling angry, frustrated, sad, bored or even celebrating. In this episode we're talking about how to manage our emotions and emotional eating.
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What if Life isn’t about finding who you are, but deciding how you want to live this life and creating the habits to live life as the You - you want to be.
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If you've ever told yourself - I can't meditate, I'm not the meditation type, I can't stop my thoughts, etc. but know the benefits of meditation, you'll want to listen in to this one. This week I'm sharing some non-traditional ways to meditate that will be helpful for those of us who are constantly flooded with input and notifications and find it hard to find stillness.
Related Episodes:
27 - Finding a Personalized Self-Care Routine
51 - Silence is OK
63 - Coping with Anxiety
69 - Meditation Misconceptions
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You don't need permission to do what brings you Joy but if you're struggling with feelings of guilt for taking time for you - this is me telling you to drop the guilt and do what makes you happy! You are in Control of your happiness. Your happiness is your Responsibility. You have the Power, embrace it. You’re the one who has to live with your unhappiness. So do what makes you happy.
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I love the fresh feeling of a new month, even better is the first Monday of the month. October 31st ending on a Monday this year has me in a different frame of mind. In this episode I’m sharing how I keep all my activities, meetings and deadlines organized along with all the obligations my family has as well. And the biggest, often over looked, opportunity for growth.
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How often are you saying "I Should ______"? Fill in the blank with anything, sending the email, going for a walk, doing the dishes, get more sleep.
What if we switch that self-talk?
What if we focus on the result we want and the actions it takes?
Some of our should's are strictly out of habit, others because we obligated. Once identifying which is it - focus on the desired result and switch the should to want. Listen in as I share how to do just that!
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The last few days I’ve been telling myself I’m in a funk. Now I’m realizing being in that place wasn’t so bad and it really wasn’t a funk- just needing some down time.
How do we know the difference and most importantly - what can we do to bring ourself out of that place!?
If you don't like how you're feeling, choose different! You deserve to be happy! Listen in as I share my method for bringing yourself out of a funk.
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With World Health Day being October 10th, we are talking mental health! Myths, facts and prevention. The goal is to bring awareness and make talking about mental health issues a common discussion.
Reference Episodes 59 & 60
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The need to be seen, be heard and be loved for the unique individual that you are - are core emotional needs that if unmet, can lead you to feeling off.
You need to be your biggest cheerleader! Easier said than done, I know, but it really is that simple….though just because it’s simple, doesn’t mean it’s easy. The good news is, I’m on this journey with you. Listen in as I share my habits for growing my self-love and positive mindset.
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The Battle isn’t with your Body or your Bank account or whatever it is that you’re beating yourself up about. It’s the lack of self-love. Change can’t happen without love.
Reference Episode 99 - Growing your Self-Love
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Science tells us we all have automatic thoughts- things we think so often they become the default, like a rut in a path.
Right now, your default thinking is making you focus on what's wrong. The good news is, you can change that.
Listen for 3 action steps you can take to Change your Default Thinking.
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Why is loving yourself so hard? It for sure takes daily intentions for me. Sometimes seeing other people share about their self-love can feel defeating - "why is it so easy for them?"
It's not. Our default is to pick ourselves apart. No matter what someone says to us, no matter how great the compliment - we simply don't belief it. For years we've subconsciously building the belief of the opposite. Loving yourself isn't the norm, that just means it takes daily intention to build the practice of loving ourselves.
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You know I'm ALLLL about my morning routine - but it's not so much what I DO as what IT DOES for me....and that has changed over the years. What you need can be different in each season of life. Honor that and find what you need to feel centered, rejuvenated and recharged.
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Maybe a message you've heard before, maybe a reminder you need to hear in a new way. What you’re not Changing, you’re Choosing.
What areas of life are you on autopilot? What habits are not helping you upgrade? What are you complaining about but in reality choosing because you're not changing?
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Stop beating yourself up about not being disciplined or motivated. The habits we form and the decisions we make each day - those are what really define success. So instead, shift your thinking to your daily choices.
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Have you taken a personality test? Do you know your gem or color or Enneagram number? I've done them all and in the past have found them annoying. I don't like being told who I am. I don't like fitting into a box or a category. I also don't like to see my least favorite personality traits listed in bold.
Recently I took the Clifton Strengths assessment. I didn't like that result either but after a perspective shift, I found how to embrace my personality traits and focus on the positives from a new perspective.
Email: imnikki@gmail.com
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If Only I had more time, If Only I had more money, If Only I had a personal Chef!
We see someone have what we want and we say, just tell me what to do and I'll do it. Then we find out it takes work and the excuses flare up. Listen in for what to do when you find yourself with a list of the If Only's.
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As a people pleaser, I want everyone to be happy-not that there's anything wrong with that-but if you're like me, you may need this reminder; You are not Responsible for other people's Happiness. 💫
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While I personally enjoy being alone, I've had multiple conversations with friends recently about avoiding being alone. I'm all about community and friendship but I also feel it's important to feel empowered by being alone.
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This is for anyone who doesn’t have a best friend. I don’t have a best friend group or a small group of close friends. For the longest time I felt like the odd one out. I felt like I was missing out. I felt like I wasn’t a good friend, that I was odd for not having a best friend.
Now I realize it’s just who I am....and that’s ok. Or at least it’s ok with me anyway.
Let's Connect - no really, I do want to connect with you :)
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Friendship is hard.…or at least this was the story I was telling myself. Let's talk about making new friends, ending friendships and 3 my thoughts to getting to a positive mindset about friendships.
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Success Overnight doesn't happen. We all want the quick fix but the truth is, success is found in our daily habits.
In this episode we talk about finding success through daily habits in the main areas of life.
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Our phones (that little computer that fits in the palm of our hand) is constantly with us. 🙋♀️ Guilty. 🙋♀️As a society we are addicted to input, causing so much stress on our minds and bodies. Feeling like we have to fill every moment with something to listen to or read or mindlessly scroll.
This is me, encouraging you to Embrace the calm. Get comfortable with the quiet and let yourself just Be. Find Stillness. You deserve peace.
10 Minute Meditation
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Episode 117 is a follow up to Episodes 115 & 116 - go back and listen to those first!
This 3 part series explains the steps to take when you're stuck at a place of not following through on what you said you were do. As we identified in Episode 115, knowing your Why is a crucial first step. Episode 116 explained How to Determine your Why. Finally, in Episode 117, we find the last 2 action steps in setting yourself up for successfully following through.
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Like we talked about last week, the Reason you’re not Following through on that thing you need to do or want to do or said you’d do - isn’t because you don’t want it bad enough. If you haven’t listed to Episode 115 The Reason you’re not Following through - please go do that now and then come back to this episode. The Reason you’re not Following through is because you haven’t defined your Why. In this episode, we're doing just that. Listen in and as always - I'd love to hear from you!
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The reason you’re not following through on the things you want to do or accomplish isn’t because you aren’t motivated and it’s not because you don’t want it bad enough….though I’m sure you’ve been told this or maybe thought these are the reasons. This week I'm sharing the one crucial step you need to take if you want to stay consistent in any area of life.
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How often do I wake up and find myself just naturally happy? I would guess about 2% of the time. Which is why it’s so important that I am intentional with my time and actions when I first wake up. While how I start my day is of huge importance, I am also intentional throughout the day. I'm sharing that plus a bunch more about choosing happy in this episode. I hope it's helpful!
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In this week's episode I'm sharing 3 steps to get yourself out of Negative Space.
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We blame ourselves for things we did, things we should have done, things we didn’t do well, how we reacted to something….
Forgiving yourself means you can stop punishing yourself for things you’ve done or things you think you’ve done. Set yourself free and forgive yourself.
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If the past few celebrations; whether that was mother’s day, your birthday, celebrating a promotion or a big accomplishment - if those celebrations didn’t go as you’d expected or wanted, Take control and celebrate you the way you want to celebrate! Even if the event has passed, there’s still time to honor you in the way you feel is right for you.
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Positive Thinking alone isn’t Enough to change your life.Yes positive thinking is crucial, but thinking alone doesn’t cause change. We can’t think away or wish away our worries, problem or issues. Yes, positive thinking is key but it doesn't end there. Listen in to find what you need to do!
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Info on my online community: https://forms.gle/ZxaMJVvoUwkMTxmm6
The past is in the past - that statement is so true but truth doesn't make it any easier to move past the past. When it’s something we did - something that if we made a different choice, would have a different outcome…something we messed up on or something we wish we would have said differently - that can be especially hard to release and move on from. In this episode I'm sharing some thoughts to help you work through those nights laying awake stressing/worrying about the past, allowing you to release the past and move forward.
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When I first heard the phrase “Evolve or Repeat” I saw it as a Positive/Negative. Today I’m sharing my thoughts on how to view the phrase as a Positive/Positive.
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Instead of saying life is busy, what if we say life is full? And if we can't say that our busy days bring us joy - then adjust the mindset or adjust the activity.
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How often do we tell ourselves we can’t XYZ because of XYZ. We see obstacles before we even start and we stop ourselves from committing before we've even had the chance to start. We talk ourselves out of ever starting because we think we have to be perfect. This podcast would not exist if I waiting until I felt ready. Instead, I took messy action....and here we are today, still not perfect but far more important - we're HERE!
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Your best may look different today and that's ok. Sometimes you're a little more tired, a little lazy, a little burnt out. Your best on those days may look and that doesn't make you any less than. Your best is always enough.
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As always, our focus is on a healthy mindset and staying positive. This week the topic is dealing with the stress and worries of life and bringing our thoughts back to the present.
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Being celebrated for who we are, being seen and appreciated can feel uncomfortable. Here's the thing - those compliments aren't lies. Take this as your reminder that you are worthy of being celebrated. So the next time someone notices the positive things about you - resist the urge to deflect the compliment and remind yourself that if someone sees you for the incredible human that you are and wants to celebrate that - allow them to, because you are worthy.
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You are in charge of your happiness and what brings you joy doesn't have to make sense to anyone else. Finding yourself in a grumpy mood or having a down day doesn't mean waiting on someone else to make you happy. Blaming your circumstances or what's happened to you in the past isn't how you have to live your days. Find your power in taking charge of your happiness. Move your body to change your mood. Listen in and see that may not necessarily mean what you think.
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Loving your Body with Age is a journey! Today I'm sharing what I've learned since turning 40. You're not alone in this, let's go through this together!
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My default is to find the good in the situation, the silver lining. There have been a few times recently where I've found myself complaining/having negative thoughts about little things- mistakes, frustrations, etc. In this episode I share some real life examples and challenge you to join me in replacing that negative reaction with the simple phrase - It Could Be Worse. And when you do, share it on social media! Tag me and #ItCouldBeWorse so I can cheer you on in this positive change!
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While showing your self love, doing things to take care of yourself are important- loving yourself as you are, doesn't come easy for everyone. In this episode we're talking about the one action step that you may need to take to truly love yourself on a deeper level. Listen in and share your thoughts with me.
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We can easily get wrapped up in “fixing” - finding the things we need to work on or improve. We form the habit of seeing the wrong. Habitually looks for the negative.
Absolutely we need to reflect and find the things we need to work on/improve. But we can’t stay stuck there. We have to counter balance with gratitude. Train our brain to look for the good. And when we do that, we find more good.
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Pandemic or not, there will always be challenges. Some things, a lot of things, are just plain out of our control. And often times those things are the things we allow to creep in as excuses... our “Reasons” to give up. Accept life as is or take the responsibility to change our reality. Quitting ensures failure. We only truly succeed when we choose to JUST KEEP GOING.
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Self-care is such a hot topic word - it’s important. It’s vital but it’s also mis understood in some ways. Self-care isn't something you only do on the weekends or when you're burnt out. Listening to your body and resting when you need, should be a daily practice. You deserve to rest before you're exhausted. Honor your Body with Rest now.
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Your self-talk has an incredible impact on your reality. You become what you repeatedly tell yourself. Staying stuck in negative self-talk can lead to depression or at the very least, like I was, living the blah life. Today I’m sharing how to shut down the negative self-talk.
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While the effects of SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder - hasn't hit me as hard this year, being that we've had some unseasonably warm days here in the Midwest, it's not 100% weather based. This week on the Podcast, I'm sharing 10 steps for beating the Winter Blues.
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Happy New Year!!! Many use this time to set a New Years Resolution - tune in to this episode to hear my thoughts on shifting the focus away from a resolution and into taking action!
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How you start your day sets the tone for your day. We know this yet so many of us are still struggling with that snooze button. The "I'm just not a morning person" excuse is not valid. This might be a hard truth to accept but once you do, you'll find your power in conquering the snooze. In this episode I'm sharing ideas on how to get up on time with purpose.
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With the holiday hustle, kids home from school, days off of work, it is tempting to skip routine. In my experience, keeping my morning routine during the holidays is vital for my mental health. In this episode I share the ONE vital step to keeping your routine during the holidays.
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Keeping it short and simple this week - sharing a quick story and the power of a personalized greeting.
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We are a social species, we are not meant to live in isolation. So connection and Community is vital for us to thrive but as an introvert, it can be difficult to cultivate a sense of community. In this episode I'm sharing my own personal struggles with connection and some ideas on how to build community.
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Need - a powerful word is often over/mis-used. Let’s get real about the word, how often we use it, the real reason we use it, the unneeded stress it brings and the mindset trap that often happens with the word. And send me a message if you decide to take the challenge. I talk about at the end of this episode.
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Holiday meals can be a trigger or a point of stress or setback but they don't have to be. This week I'm sharing best practices - both mindset and actionable steps to help you enjoy the holidays without stressing about the food.
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How many times have you opened a message and found you didn't reply to the person? I know I'm guilty of doing this more times than I would like to admit! Odds are you've either sent or received a - “so sorry I didn’t get back to you“ message. I'm not sharing the magic cure, just some strategies to help us avoid people thinking that we're ghosting them.
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After reading an article recently about all the excess spending and general over-doing-it-ness during this season, I felt the topic deserved a discussion here on the podcast. As a society we are moving further and further into excess spending, celebrating, (including over eating and drinking) and generally just overextending ourselves. This taking us further and further away from the purpose of the holiday we are meant to be celebrating. But it doesn't have to be that way. We can celebrate without the excess and afterwards the stress of the damage done. This week I'm sharing 3 areas to set intentions in for this holiday season to avoid the excess.
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Article referenced:
https://www.becomingminimalist.com/season-of-excess/?fbclid=IwAR0e5Ug_WIBGcCa6siMD3643HZUc61RjfOpO6_1uUPlxcfJDtztaNJGhQA0
If you follow me on social media, specifically my stories, you know I wake up around 5am each day. It may look effortless now but it hasn’t always been that way. In fact, I used to wake up at the very last minute possible and then rush around to get it together and get to where I needed to be. Of course this left me frustrated, full of anxiety, often forgetting things and often late. It doesn't have to be that way! In this episode I'm sharing 7 strategies for waking up earlier.
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So here’s the thing - I don’t always feel like smiling. When I realize I’ve been straight-faced for hours or all day even, I think a smily thought and cause myself to smile. They say fake it 'til you make it - but is that the best method? This week I'm sharing how to feel empowered by choosing a smile. :)
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Simple, most effective way to change your life. Yeah, that's a bold claim. I know. Notice I said simple and not easy? 2 different things.
This week I'm sharing one simple thing that will have the greatest impact on your life, giving you the power to literally change your life.
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When life gets busy, sleep is most often the thing that suffers. Although we know we need adequate sleep - what is that magic number? Let's talk about that! Plus 5 tips for getting a better night's rest.
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Powering through a project or your work load seems like the best way to get it done, but is it really? Could you really be more productive, less stress and overall happier if you checked out more often? Spending less time and being more productive doesn't make sense but hear me out! Listen in to this week's episode to see what I'm talking about.
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Lacking motivation? Me too. This week I'm sharing why it could be happening right now and what to do to bring yourself out of the funk.
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The notifications from social media, texts, emails...it's constant and it can be addictive. It can leave us fearing the quiet. It can cause us to think we need to constantly fill our time with something....a video, a podcast, a reel. In this episode we get to the bottom of why we feel the need to fill the quiet and how we can slowly embrace the quiet.
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Affirmations, much like Meditation, was a practice that took me awhile to get used to. Affirmations CAN be a powerful way to boost a positive mindset but they can also feel like a waste of time. Affirmations can feel silly or fake. There are 2 key steps for making Affirmations effective.
Daily Affirmations Phone Wallpaper:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qrw6gSpMO-m_XWQ6LTcKhzOyLNPUC6xg/view?usp=sharing
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This might seem like sort of an odd concept but hang with me on this. My goal is to live in Joy and my goal with this podcast is to share ideas & best practices to help you do the same.
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I don’t wake up beaming positivity.
I have to be intentional with How I want to feel and How I want to show up each day. I have to be proactively positive. In this week's episode I'm sharing 7 ways to be proactively positive.
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References:
- Mastering your Mean Girl by Melissa Ambrosini
- You are a Badass by Jen Sincero
- 100 Days to Brave by Annie F Downs
Since I had such a big response from that post I made last week about how Heavy everything feels right now - I felt this episode was needed.
My 5 Tips for Coping with the Heavy. I hope this is helpful!
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Again talking about time this week - not so much time management but more of our mindset around how we are spending our time. Specifically getting real about the “I don’t have the time to”
Disclaimer: Yes, sometimes the phrase does have some truth behind it. Sometimes we take on too much. We over commit and/or have busy days. That’s not what we’re talking about here. We're talking about the habit of saying "I don't have time" - why we say it and how we can take back our power & our time.
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Life is too short to do nothing. But life is also too short to be too busy to actually enjoy it.
Initially I thought the phrase - Addicted to Being Busy - was a matter of balance. Meaning we can have a busy season of life or when we are in hustle mode we really get after it and when it’s time to unwind, we completely unplug. Which I think is true and how we should approach life, but I think the bigger issue is the REASON we feel the need or addiction to be busy. That's what we're digging in to on this week's Episode.
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We all have those things we say we’re going to do, need to do or should do but for whatever reason we just can’t seem to get them done 🙄 What’s keeping us from following through on what we said we’d do? I’ve got a few ideas 🙂 and I’m sharing them in today’s Episode.
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Here’s the thing - you can’t wait until you feel like it. How often am I motivated to clean the bathroom? Umm, never. So relying on motivation alone just doesn’t work. Most often the things we need to do or the things we want to do because we know they are good for us or the things we just plain know we need to get done, are hard. They’re often things that make a big difference in our lives but take work and/or time and so we avoid them.
So why can’t you rely on motivation? Find the answer in this week's Episode.
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Just thinking about the word Meditation can bring feelings of calm but also possibly anxiety for some of us.
My perfectionist self has struggled for years with that feeling of “not doing it right”. I put off meditation because it felt overwhelming to have to be quiet and still for a certain amount of time. Just the commitment of the practice can feel overwhelming.
Maybe you feel that way too? Listen in and learn how I finally let go of what I thought meditation was and discover what meditation really is.
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A common phrase that really gets under my skin - "I Ran out of Time".
I'm so guilty of using the phrase but this week I"m sharing some thought on how to switch the habit of using that phrase and why I think it's important we do.
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Brain fog - specifically morning brain fog was a struggle for years. I told myself all those memes = "I needed coffee to function" & "don't talk to me before I've had my coffee". Now part of that was that I simply needed some alone time first thing in the morning but also because I had serious brain fog -not solved by coffee. Making this one switch to my morning routine lifted the brain fog better than coffee and gave me more mental clarity and energy throughout the day!
Listen in and then tell me if you've made the switch and how its helped you!
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One of the most commonly asked questions I get is - "What do you Eat?"
So, I thought I'd share what I typically eat in a day and WHY. NOTE I'm not into you what to eat. This is what I eat because these foods make me feel my best. I encourage you to focus on how foods make you feel and identify which foods make you feel your best.
I hope this Episode is helpful.
I'd love to hear your feedback!
email: imnikki@gmail.com
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Do you ever find yourself getting so caught up in that number on the scale? Letting it consume you, control your thoughts, your decision making - even though it’s just a number. A number that you do not wear printed on your head. A number that no one else knows. A number that does not define you in anyway…..and yet we let it sometimes.
If we aren’t careful - we can spend our whole lives chasing a number and that number may not even be realistic for us. An entire life in weight loss mode? I don't want that for you. So let's shift the focus together.
Connect with me! email: imnikki@gmail.com
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Many of the things we do each day are done without thinking. Like I mentioned in last week's episode, we live on autopilot much of our day. Some of these things we do are habits that aren't serving us. It can feel daunting to "break a habit". So most of us don't. Or we do and then fail and eventually give up trying. I've found my replacing the "bad habit" with a new habit a really effective method. But in order to do that, you have to ask yourself 2 questions. Listen in as I share these 2 steps that we often overlook and how they make all the difference in reforming habits.
Connect with me! email: imnikki@gmail.com
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We’ve had a lot to deal with in the last year...not just the pandemic - although it was/is a huge stressor - but also race relations, all the political unrest, etc. And now as we start to open back, we're in this odd place. Some still working from home, some places still requiring masks, some not, anxiety over whether or not you should get the vaccine. Anxiety is high because we have so much new to deal with. So how do we deal with it all? Whether is general or situational anxiety, this week I'm sharing strategies to coping with anxiety.
Fact Source:
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2020/sia-mental-health-crisis.pdf
Connect with me! email: imnikki@gmail.com
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Toxic Positivity. To be honest, when I heard this phrase I was both confused and a bit offended! How on earth could being positive be a bad thing?? You know my mission is to spread positivity, to choose positivity and to find the positive in every situation. After doing some research and some deep thinking, I came to understand that I am indeed guilty of Toxic Positivity. Listen in this week as I share what Toxic Positivity actually is and how to avoid it.
Connect with me! email: imnikki@gmail.com
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/imnikkij
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After recently connecting with Paige Tonz on Instagram, it only made sense to have her on the show. Paige shares this passion of the power of positive thinking. In this episode she shares a bit of her story and how she's making a positive impact by giving back, mentoring girl athletes to think positive, build their confidence and grow their success.
Connect with Paige:
IG: @paigetonz
FB: @paigetonzmentor
www.paigetonz.com
It’s ok to not be ok. You’re not alone. You’re not alone in feeling not ok. It’s ok to need a moment or a day. It’s ok to use therapy and/or medication. It’s ok to take time for yourself and for your mental health. And doing doesn’t mean you have a mental illness per say - it just means you value your mental health.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month - such an important topic that I know I don't know enough about so in order to build awareness, (and education myself) this week's episode is devoted to mental illness. I'm sharing some statistics and warning signs for us all to be aware of.
Information taken from the National Alliance on Mental Illness website.
NAMI HelpLine’s contact information and hours of availability as a resource for people seeking mental health support: Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., ET 800-950-NAMI (6264) info@nami.org and nami.org/Help
When we feel stressed it’s most often because we are allowing it. We are allowing things to get to us. We are allowing the stressful (sometimes self-inflicted) thoughts to control us. SO, we have to take back control by taking control of our thoughts. In this episode I’m sharing simple actions you can take to take control of your mindset, to relief stress and to move back to the positive.
You are the sum of the 5 people you spend the most time with. Unfortunately, in some circumstances we don’t have control over who those 5 people are. Sometimes those people are negative, just plain toxic. Since we can’t change that, all we can do is control what we do about it. Today I’m sharing 3 things you can do to boost your positivity in a toxic environment.
As I’ve said many times before, I’m all about sharing experiences and what we’ve learned to help others. Sharing our story can be healing, it can inspire others and cultivate community. I’ve asked my dear friend Kim Ashlock to share her story. Kim has grown through some difficult circumstances the last few years and I am in awe of how she’s been able to stay strong and positive. In this episode Kim talks about fighting for her marriage through infidelity and how her family is now closer than ever....the silver lining.
The 2 books Kim referenced:
The 5 Love Languages
A Couple's Love Journal
You can connect with and follow Kim's story on Facebook.
The friends that are supposed to last forever, will. The friendships that end are meant to end. Those friendships were meant to be but only for that time. Sometimes we can realize that, we see the reason or lesson or purpose. It’s when we don’t understand why the friendship ended that we have a hard time healing from it. This week I'm talking about How I'm learning to navigate friendships and heal through letting some friendships go.
Recently I’ve been involved in conversations talking about someone. It just feels icky. Yet sometimes people just need to talk it out. That’s totally me. If I have a decision to make or need to process an event or feelings - I have to talk it out.
I thought this was important to talk about because there is a fine line between gossip/talk bad about someone and talking through your feelings. Sometimes we feel the need to bond with another person over complaining about someone else together. Like a boss or co-worker or even sibling. I get it. I can totally relate to that. BUT - is that really healthy?
Now I know this isn't the case for everyone - some people really do overbook themselves, do too much at once, overwork themselves, etc…. That’s not what I’m talking about here. What I’m referring to is when we talk ourselves in to the busy feeling and talk ourselves out of taking action. This Episode is about how to get over that busy feeling, get out of that worry/stress mode and take action.
Note If you connected with Episode #31 That Crippling Sense of Overwhelm - this Episode is for you.
Another 30 weeks into the Pandemic, we get an update from Isabelle about school life. What has changed? What is the same? How are kids adjusting emotionally and socially? Get a teenager's point of view about it all.
Why do we sometimes avoid silence? Do you feel the need to fill every second of the day with either a video or a podcast or audiobook or music or just scrolling social media? I thought I needed to be constantly taking in information throughout the day. I felt any down time or mindless activity HAD to be paired with a mindFUL activity. While I think that is a good practice, I've found that sometimes Silence is good too.
There's a difference between avoiding/procrastinating on getting a task done and taking a needed break. Working from home, setting your own hours - can lead to burn out. Thinking that we have to always be working can steal the joy from our work. Finding time off or even just a quick break between tasks will help you be more productive.
You are worth living a happy life! Down Days happen but they don't have to rule your days. Taking action can lift your mood and change your mindset.
Sometimes we just need the reminder that we don't have to overcomplicate or overthink things...we tend to do that when we are really struggling, don't we? So keeping it short and simple with this week's message - You Get What You Give.
A shock to the routine of more interacting with humans on a daily basis and the toll it takes on a person - that’s the topic here. We’ve talked about overwhelm before but this isn’t stress caused by a big to do list. This is overwhelm from socializing, feeling exhausted physically after interacting with people.....sometimes referred to as "I'm done peopling today". How do we get to that point and what do we do to recover?
One negative thing in your mind can make your whole day go negative. All too often we are unknowingly allowing negative self talk and thoughts. Once that negative seed is planted it grows and attracts more negativity. Listen in for a self-check and what to do/say instead.
Growing up the roles in my family were what I’d considered “normal”. A conversation with my husband last week prompted the topic for this week. I share about that conversation and the realization I had afterwards. My thoughts on the roles we play in marriage/family life may surprise you -- or maybe you'll agree. Either way, listen in and let me know!
Journaling can feel intimidating, at least it was for me anyway - so much pressure to write everyday, write a lot, write out your feeling or should it be documenting of the day? All these lies about the rules of journaling that I was telling myself, prevented me from even starting. Once I finally got over the pressure of "not doing it right" and just started, I found that it's just about taking the time to note my thoughts/feelings. And that, is a powerful habit.
THANK YOU to everyone who connected with me after Episode 42, letting me know that I'm not alone in these feelings around connection. After some discussion and reflecting more, I decided to expand the conversation with another Episode. I hope this brings you clarity and a sense of relief as much as I did for me!
If you find this Podcast helpful, PLEASE leave a 5⭐️ review. That will help the podcast appear in the search box for those looking for positive podcasts! ♥️And if you know of someone who would benefit from listening in, please share the Podcast with them! Thank you so so much! I really appreciate your support!
This is another Episode I hesitated in sharing....a topic I'm not sure how many can relate to but the last time I had this thought many told me they related to that episode, so here we go again!
Connection is hard for me. Even though I know it's a vital piece of mental health, I still have a hard time making the effort to connect with people. Listen in and tell me if you can relate - or tell me you can't! Either way, I want to know. (:
This idea of not setting New Year’s Resolutions, I talked in Episode 38, how 50% of Americans make a New Year's resolution but only 8% of them actually see it through, my personal failure with resolutions and why I no longer set resolutions.....but Now What? In this episode, I'm sharing what I do instead of setting New Year's Resolutions.
The stress of (what feels like) the never ending To Do List. Waking up feeling stressed by all the things that need to be done. The emails, messages and notifications - it's all too much! Overwhelming to the point of doing absolutely nothing.
Instead, I've got a simple method for getting stuff done! This week I'm sharing how I overcome that feeling and actually have a productive day, feeling accomplished and calm.
When your routine starts to feel stale, not serving you - it's time for a change. In Episode 5, I shared my morning routine and at that time - it was serving me. After months of starting my day in the exact same way, it was time to switch it up.
In this episode I share what my current morning routine looks like, step by step. Hopefully me sharing what I do and why, helps you find a routine that works for you and feeds your soul. Starting the day with quiet time to yourself isn’t selfish, it’s a necessity! You can’t give what you don’t have. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so you shouldn’t feel guilty filling your cup first so you can give your best to those you love the most.
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RESOURCES
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This is the mindfulness journal I use: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0553459708/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_t2w2FbR5ZA591
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Streaming service for guided Meditation:
https://www.teambeachbody.com/shop/us/enrollment?referringRepID=121840
- I Am Affirmation Cards:
https://www.teambeachbody.com/shop/us/d/BRBMotivationCards?locale=en_US&referringRepId=121840
A few years ago I decided to quit setting New Year’s resolutions. I had never stuck with any of them in the years past so clearly the method did not work for me....and apparently for the majority of people. 50% of Americans make a New Year's resolution but only 8% of them actually see it through. This week I’m sharing my thoughts on the famous New Year’s Resolutions and what to do instead.
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Ideas for Virtual Party Activities:
Escape rooms:
https://www.simplemost.com/free-digital-escape-rooms/
Virtual Games:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/g32098665/best-games-to-play-on-zoom/
Dealing with family differences during the holidays, not just the Scrooge type but also just the plain negative ones, can be tough. It can feel like those family members completely ruin the holidays and they can if we allow them. This week, I'm sharing some thoughts and strategies for not just making it through the holidays but making the most of the holiday with family....whatever that looks like this year.
Seasonal Affective Disorder and the holidays. What can sometimes pull people out of SAD can have the opposite effect for others.
A dear friend wrote this e-book. Noel: Navigating the holiday season without losing yourself A guide to help us embrace the holiday season through hard and stressful times.
My thoughts, the what ifs, stress and anxiety can quickly get out of hand - either in the blink of an eye or just slowly escalate. Negative thoughts or thoughts of self doubt or fear or even just stress can completely overwhelm me to the point where it’s so much I feel like I’m going to explode (and sometimes do verbally) or shut down at together. That Crippling sense of Overwhelm and what we can do about it, that’s the topic this week on the Power of Positive Podcast.
It's that SAD time of year. Not just that unhappy feeling, I mean the mood disorder - Seasonal Affective Disorder.....sometimes referred to as The Winter Blues, Winter Depression, Summer Depression or Seasonal Depression. Thoughts of hopelessness and worthlessness.
For years I thought I was alone in feeling this way until I did some research and found this is something tons of other people go through too. In my research and experience, I've found some things to do to help us through these dreary SAD months.
Sitting down to record a Podcast or share something on social media, most often I pause - out of fear - and wonder if anyone will be able to relate to my words. And this week's Podcast is probably the single biggest scary share. Thanks for being here. Thanks for listening in each week. Thanks for taking this journey with me.
The label of Best Friend is a term I've struggled with a lot over the years. When others talk about their Best Friend, I feel jealous, annoyed, lonely and even confused. A Best Friend is in my teens looks a lot different than it did in my 20s and 30s. Now in my 40s I'm looking at the label differently yet again. Maybe I'm overcomplicating this Best Friend thing or maybe you feel the same way too?
The idea of being Annoyingly Happy and I guess annoyingly positive coincides with that - at least in my mind it does. I have been told by multiple people that I am annoyingly positive. I wasn’t quite sure how to take it the first time those words were spoken to me but now I take it as a badge of honor. I pride myself in my choice to find the positive and the choice to be happy. I think it’s a skill or habit that you can learn but for me it’s always felt second nature maybe a trait I was born with, to see the silver lining.
It makes sense for some people to be annoyed by seeing someone who’s always happy. If you’re used to “bad things” always happening in life always happening to you. Or maybe just naturally a general unpleasant demeanor in the home you were brought up in? It would be hard to understand how someone could always be so happy and positive if growing up that wasn’t modeled for you. It would for sure hard to form that habit or skill all on your own. And if you’re not used to finding the good in the situation, if you’re not making the choice to choose happy - people who are, could come off as fake. Like how and why is that person always so happy? They have to be faking it. They can’t truly be happy, right? I’ve had those thoughts before.
Initially I thought setting goals was all about the things you wanted to get done. Now I’ve shifted my goal setting practice to be based on how I want to LIVE my life. For me, that looks like being more present, more calm, more in control of my time. At this point in life, that means saying NO to more things or at the very least, thinking more before saying yes. Taking on too much means I’m not giving my best to those I love most, not showing up as my best self in any situation, not feeling in control of my time and for sure more stressed. In this week's episode we discuss this new strategy to goal setting.
Feeling blah/down/verge of depression. Not unhappy, just not happy....maybe early onset of Winter Blues? The two things I did to change my mood.
Ability matters, of course it does. You can’t expect to play at the NBA level without some serious skill. But skill aside, people talk themselves out of giving their best effort long before that skill becomes the limiting factor. Or in some cases, talk themselves out of even starting. You are capable of more than you know. But often times we are the thing that holds us back from reaching our full potential. Our lack of confidence, is the thing preventing us from success.
It seems so simple and it really is. Switching the self talk from {Want to} to {Have to} means you leave no room for doubt. If there's a goal you're trying to reach or a new habit you're wanting to form - do that self check on your self talk. Are you telling yourself you want to? Or are you saying you Have to make it happen?
Self-Care is not frivolous. It’s a necessity.
You know that quote - "You can’t pour from an empty cup" ? Self-care is how we keep our cup full. If we want to care for our family, be successful at work, etc. We have to have a consistent self-care routine.
Self-Care has to be personalized or it isn’t going to be effective. Getting a manicure isn’t your self care for you if you don’t care much about your nails. Maybe it’s soaking in the tub once a week or daily. Maybe it’s sitting quietly in the morning or going for a run or sweating it out with a crazy cardio session. What matters most is that you’re doing something that fills YOUR cup, not just checking the self-care box.
So, let’s consider 5 FREE ways to help you find what will fill your cup.
The guest this week is my beautiful, kind and thoughtful friend, Misty Wagner. Misty is all about empowering, encouraging and supporting women. She has a passion for helping women tell their stories. One way she does that is through the Rainy Day Collective Podcast (which she has graciously invited me to be a part of) and community. Misty is also an author and Trauma Mentor - a term I was not familiar with, so I decided to have her on the show so we could all learn more. You can find Misty on Instagram or visit her website. Connect with the RD Collective Community on Instagram and the Podcast.
The things that you tell yourself over and over again throughout the day, the things you focus on -> those things are 100% in your control. Whether you realize it or not your thoughts are determining your life. Your self talk and those subconscious thoughts ultimately determine your outcome....which means positive thoughts are crucial. In this episode we talk about ways to take control of our thoughts and in turn, take control of our life.
What is CBD? Why and how do people use it? What is the difference between CBD and THC? With CBD being such a hot topic right now, I wanted to get my many questions answered. So I asked my research loving good friend, Kim Reid to share her knowledge and experience about CBD with us. She explains the history, uses, best practices and what to know before you buy with us. To connect with Kim, you can find her on Facebook and Instagram. More CBD information at projectcbd.org
After a tragic event, I realized that I was letting what happened to me, control me. We can't control what happens to us but we can control what happens next. It's easy to cast blame but what good does that do? We can't change the past. We can though, choose how we respond to events that happen to us. Taking that responsibility is taking the power back, regaining control.
Back to school looks a little {or a lot} different this year. This week my 13 year old daughter shares what back to school looks like for her: masks, emotions, socializing, the flow of school, the different levels of operation...it's all very interesting she says. Listen in as she shares her perspective and some tips for learning the new protocol.
This week we have our first ever guest, my dear friend Kristin Kotzebue. She shares her top 3 tips for helping us not just learn to love our flaws but also help our daughters do the same. You can find Kristin and her simplifying life tips at pinkclaysocial.com and on her Forward in Faith Podcast
We can’t wait for courage to magically happen but taking time to reflect on what we want and why brings clarity. With clarity we can confidently take action. See, it's not so complicated :) Listen in this week as I share how I started this Podcast without confidence!
Feeling alone when you're not alone. That lonely feeling when you're with a group of people. Felt like such an odd thing but after hearing others felt this way too, it all made sense. It was a confidence boost to help me realize that human connection is vital and it's just a matter of finding your people. Loneliness. That's the topic this week.
Does being an introvert mean you don’t like to socialize? Can introverts even be social? Do they know how to, do they want to, can they even physically bring themselves to? I categorize myself as an introvert but I love to meet knew people, learn their stories and even socialize some. Can introverts socialize?
Small, simple things done consistently add up over time. It's the compound effect. We all know the power of habits but consistency really is the hardest part, isn't it? In this episode I'm sharing my strategies for forming a new habit, even if your life feels like chaos.
Common response to - how are you? Tired. Are you really so tired that that's your first response or are you talking yourself into being tired? We make ourselves tired or more tired by thinking it, leading to lack of motivation and often depression. Creating more energy. That's the topic this week.
Social media is an incredible tool of connection, learning and sharing stories but it can also be a source of Pain. It can lead to unhealthy comparison. It can cause us to feel not enough. It can lead to depression. So how do we keep from feeling less than when other seem to have it all together? That's the topic this week. I hope you'll join the discussion.
Just over 3 years ago I made the switch to eat Vegan/Plant Based. On this week's episode I'm sharing what made me decide to make a change, how I made the switch to Vegan and what I eat now.
For resources and recipes, connect with me on social.
www.Facebook.com/imnikki
www.Instagram.com/imnikkij
For years making a to do list was part of my daily routine. There's nothing like the feeling of crossing off tasks as you get them done. Although, a long to do list can also have the opposite effect causing overwhelm and lead us to doing absolutely nothing. So how can we be productive without a list? Listen in as I share my new strategy to actually get things done.
When I became a Mom, I let it completely consume and define me. I was happy and fulfilled, yet I wanted more. With that came guilt. I didn’t know I could be a Mom and have something for just me too. I thought it would make me selfish. I didn’t know I could have a passion for something else and still be a good Mom. I thought it would take away from my family. I didn’t know working on my own vision would make me a better mom.
I’m guilty of - I’m not racist, so I’m not doing anything wrong but that also means I’m not doing anything to cause change. Fear of saying the wrong thing. Fear of saying too much. Fear of not knowing what I should know. I'm not just committed to learning but taking action and having conversations about equality, unity and love. Join me in the conversation, saying Black Lives Matter.
Seeing successful people we see their confidence. We think they have something we don’t but you're not born with courage. You build it by taking action. Thinking and over thinking just magnifies the fear.
The question: "How are you?". The common reply: "Busy". Here's the thing, you don't have to constantly be going and doing. Successful and productive people can rest and they should if they want to be their best. I'm not talking about sleeping (though that's important too). I mean being still, resting your mind or zoning out watching TV. You are worthy of rest. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
The cultural belief of true success is to Never Be Satisfied. The Never Settle/Nothing is Good Enough/Hustle Mode mindset means never being satisfied. Is that really a successful happy life? Doesn't dis-satisfaction mean focusing on the negative and preventing gratitude? What if being satisfied doesn't mean settling? Can we accept where we are while still striving to do better?
I used to be annoyed with people who seemed happy all the time. I thought they were faking it. 🤷♀️ I choose Happy. A statement I write every morning because I think happiness is a choice and I need that daily reminder to choose happy. But you can’t just say I’m happy and BOOM, you’re happy......
When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up I would always reply - "a Mom". At the age of 22, my doctor said I was young and "it will happen".....only it didn't.
In honor of Infertility Survivor Day on Sunday, May 3rd - I'm sharing my infertility story in hopes of bringing awareness, understanding and hope.
The way you start your day sets the tone for your entire day. I was the "not a morning person" type. I would sleep until the very last second and then rush around to get to where I need to be. I knew something had to change. Now I'm sharing how the morning routine that fills me with positivity and help me start the day with a clear head and a productive mindset.
We’re over 4 weeks in now to this quarantine life - we have this all figured out, right? Not quite. Navigating through this crazy time in life, I think we all still have a lot to learn. In today’s episode I’m sharing my best practices for making it through this time, not just alive but happy and thriving.
Home 24/7 & yet you say where did the day go or when will this day? Feeling busy all day but in the end feeling like you really didn’t accomplish anything? Working from home the last 18 yrs, I’ve got some ideas that might help. Today I’m sharing 5 tips, my daily routine plus my 12 yr old's online schooling routine.
Now more than ever, we have to stay positive! With so much uncertainty right now it’s hard to stay positive and hopeful. I get it but what you think, you become. That means what you think about most determines how you feel. But what if it feels like there’s nothing positive to focus on? That's what we’re talking about today -> How to find a positive focus.
Strategies for our current situation, even if you’re listening to this episode post- the covid19 outbreak, I think you’ll still appreciate the thoughts and strategies I’m sharing because we won’t be talking about the virus specifically, more about how to stay positive and that you can relate to any situation.
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