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Do you feel like something is missing in your life? Learning to focus on you, instead of others, may be the key you’ve been seeking!

If you find that you’re comparing yourself to others and coming up short, it's time to stop that destructive habit. Comparisons get you nowhere. Rather than leading to positive improvements, they only cause you pain and discontent.

A better choice is to focus on your own personal needs and wants. You’re a unique individual who requires a personal approach! Do you know that you are AMAZING?! Phenomenal? Powerful? Strong! Well, let me tell you in case you forgot, you are. Make sure you tell yourself this. This helps you boost your self-image because you're focused on improving yourself and not trying to beat someone else in some uncharted race.

Learning to focus on you rather than everyone else around you can be a difficult task. Too often, we’re so used to focusing on our families and friends that we don't even know how to begin the process of focusing on our own choices and decisions that determine our lives.

Follow these five tips to help you focus on fully enjoying your life:

#1 - Devote one hour a day to “me time.” During this time, focus completely on yourself and the things you need or desire to feel strong, lovable and important. Reflect on what’s important to you. Dream big dreams and figure out small steps you can take to achieve them.

• Your  “me-time” can be anything you like it to be: meditate, go for a walk, take a relaxing bubble bath, pray, take a nap, get a manicure, read a novel, or do something else. Anything that brings you pleasure simply for the sake of pleasure qualifies as me-time.

#2 - Take care of your own physical, spiritual and health needs. Relying on someone else to meet your needs only leads to dependence and resentment. Don’t wait for someone else to do these things for you.

• You have the power within you to meet your own needs and the only way you can be truly whole is to do just that. No one can do it like you see it in your head. God gave you that dream – so go conquer it!

#3 - Spend time each day doing something you love. No matter what your hobby is, it’s healthy to indulge in a creative pastime.

• Gardening, painting, woodcarving and pottery are all hobbies that encourage your creativity while you use your hands to create something beautiful.
  
  Play board games rather than video games. Listen to music designed to stimulate your brain waves with binary beats. I love lofi Christian music and sleeping with frequency music can really take your sleeping to a deeper level (or so I have found out).

#4 - Start a gratitude journal. Begin and end each day by listing ten things you’re grateful for in your life. Before long, you’ll find that you spend more of your time dwelling on all the good things you have in the world rather than negative obstacles you might face.

Click here to purchase our 30-day gratitude journal.

#5 - Feed your mind and body good healthy fuels. You cannot expect your mind and body to function at their best if you don’t provide them with the fuels they need to work at full capacity.

• Feed your body good foods: fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Drink plenty of water to keep your body fully hydrated. (Don’t worry, this is me always talking to me because I am learning as well as growing and stretching and trying to figure it out)

• Feed your mind by reading informative, well-written books, magazines – listen to soulful podcasts. Choose recreational reading that builds your mind and spirit. Limit your TV watching and spend your time pursuing things that stimulate your thinking instead.

• Grab a copy of “Flip the Script: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life”. It is important to feed our mind with things that we should focus on. Positive thinking and gratitude are 2 top secrets of putting focus on what you have going on in the present moment. The book gives you tips to lead with a lifestyle of positive thinking by putting spotlights on your strengths!

Click here to purchase your copy of 

“Flip the Script: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life”

Focusing on you helps you take the best possible care of yourself. It allows you to replenish your batteries and regain your strength so you can be fully present and engaged in the rest of your day. Use these tips to start changing your focus today and have many happy tomorrows!

At The Visionary Associates, we believe in you! If you need a motivator, cheerleader or just to know that you have someone on your side, let us be that for you. Feel free to join us for one of our transformational summits or if you want some one-on-one time, schedule a life-coaching session today!

Happy New Year!

As we enter 2024, many of us have strong feelings of needing to let something go or pick something up. I told someone that it is something about the New Year that even though it is just a day apart from December 31 to January 1 unlike any other Saturday or Sunday, it is something about the new year that gives you a different feeling. Sort of like when we go through a milestone birthday or a birthday that brings about a painful memory. The New Year gives us a mental switch of a “reset”.

As you're well aware, life is full of changes. Sometimes, the changes occur when you least expect them, and you end up with your routines being thrown out of whack. That's how it often is when new chapters are opened up in your life. You might get caught by surprise, and immediately get frustrated because you've never dealt with being in that situation before.

It's easy to lose composure when a mountain decides to show up. It's easy to give up because you feel like you've lost control of your life. It makes us forget everything we said when we were in a great state that we would do if we ever got in another storm.

Well, first breathe. Because the good news is that you can approach these life events with positive techniques that keep you from feeling overwhelmed by them.

Follow these strategies to not only deal with, but also embrace, these new chapters in your life:

#1 - Have an open mind. Expect the best scenario instead of the worst. I know that we may have been taught to not live in the fairy tale world and this is not that. I need for you to remind yourself that you've made it through more challenging situations before and the same way that it wasn’t easy and you may have a few scars you did it or you might realize that you put too much energy into actually nothing.

Embrace the idea that this event might bring with it all sorts of positive spins on existing situations that challenge you. This new chapter in your life could be the answer to your reaching previously unattainable goals.

#2 - Exercise courage. Fear can keep you from achieving what you want out of life. Many times we don’t take the chance because we done already experienced the failure – in our head! The mind is a powerful tool! What if you just did 1 thing – woo hoo! I am proud of you. Ok, now another – you can do it! If you allow fear to be front and center it can turn strong men weak and result in disappointment, sadness and humiliation. If you picture living a life with those negative attributes, you'll start to develop the courage to prevent that from happening. So face the unknown with every ounce of courage you have!

Even when you're not feeling courageous, tell yourself you're brave. Walk into a situation while repeating the words, "I have what it takes to conquer this. I am strong. I got this!"

#3 - Take one step at a time. By far, the easiest way to approach any situation in life is to break it down into its smallest parts. At The Visionary Associates, you will always hear us talk about, "brick by brick.” That means, if you just do one thing and then another, before you know it, you will have a wall. When looking at the big picture of your new chapter, it might seem mammoth and insurmountable. But if you take a minute to dissect it, you'll realize it's a lot easier to take smaller bites and even savor the taste of newness. Everyone knows the saying, “How do you eat an elephant – bit by bit” – same concept….

#4 - Be guided by past mistakes. Nobody you know has more experience in your life than you do! Despite how many people have told you about you, you are the person who has spent every single moment of your life with you. You know your strengths and abilities, and you also know where you went wrong before. Those learning lessons should be the tools you take into life's new chapter. Use them as much as possible to help guide you through the unknown. What’s the definition of insanity? – Exactly…. Use it as a lesson and guide, not as a broken record.

#5 - Be honest. If your new chapter in life is something being presented to you by someone else, be honest about feeling intimidated by it. Know that your change/life experience has to be about you. God brought you here for a purpose and even if you were brought through, it was still for a purpose so if you are feeling like you are not moving with intent, speak up. Stop! Take time to find YOUR strengths. Create your own life painting, tell your own story. If you're expected to tackle it and come out victorious, you definitely don’t want to disappoint! It's better to state your position up front because people respect honest even when it doesn’t favor them.

New chapters don’t have to be scary at all. You'd be surprised how perfectly capable you are of taking things head-on and relishing in the goodness they can provide. Give yourself the chance to experience fulfillment; use these strategies to embrace new chapters like you already know the outcome!

And if you are ready to spend some time with yourself in this first month of the year, I invite you to this year’s Transformational Summit on January 27 at Travelers Rest Life Center in Morrow! We have partnered with Bridge II Purpose where we invite you to step into your power, unlock your potential and take charge of your undiscovered strength to elevate your growth! From Discovery to Emergence, this summit is guaranteed to make you embrace your new chapters’ head on! Register at www.thevisionaryassociates.com.

It's quite comfortable to sit back and keep the status quo. After all, if you don't rock the boat, you can't fall into the sea. But without risk, there are few rewards.

Abandon Your Fears

You already know that taking risks is risky. To build up the courage, you need to master your fears. However, it's not as easy as it sounds. If you've spent the better part of your life with fear, it could be deeply engrained in your subconscious, but it's not impossible to change. All you need now is the willingness to overcome your fears. If you really want to abandon your fears, there's nothing that can stop you!

Here are some tips to keep fear at bay:

1.      Recognize and Become Aware Your Fears. Recognize your fears for what they really are. You'll soon discover how your fears are limiting you by your reactions to them.

Let's say you're afraid of heights. Top of roofs, airplanes, roller coasters, those are a few things that could make your response be a quick "Oh no! Get me out of here!" If you continue this pattern of thinking you'll always be afraid. Accept that the fear is real, but challenge yourself to approach the situation with courage and inner strength.

2.      Overcome Your Fears. Many times we're afraid of something because it remains in the unknown. We might label something as risky because we don't yet know or understand what's going on.

An example would be avoiding college because you're afraid of meeting new people, the workload, and so on. To overcome this fear, you can get familiar with the college, the courses, and the people so you can feel more comfortable and confident. Doing so will ease the fear of the unknown and give you a sense of relief.

3.      Change Your Thinking. If you can alter the way you think about a certain situation, you'll then act differently. Your fears may overwhelm your thoughts at times, but your job is to put a stop to this.

For example, if you think you'll never be able to achieve your goals, you won't. But if you believe in yourself, you're far more likely to succeed!

How to Take Risks

Once you overcome your fears mentally, it's time to take risks. Whether you realize it or not, you take risks every day. Most risks are quite minor, but risk accompanies nearly every decision you make.

Follow these pointers to help you get into a risk taking mindset:

• A "risk" may sound negative; instead, think of it as more of an "adventure" or "journey."

• Visualize a positive outcome.

• Consider the reasons why you're hesitant to take a risk.

• When you have a set plan in place, taking a risk is a whole lot less threatening.

• When you've taken the leap, evaluate your experience so you can improve in the future.

• Self-confidence is the most important ingredient to success.

Putting it all Together

If you're feeling tentative about the whole thing, get your feet wet with small steps. You can't expect yourself to change drastically overnight, but at the same time you have to believe in yourself and believe that change is possible.

Overcoming fears and taking risks go hand in hand. Start small and dream big. You only have one journey on this earth, so you might as well make the most of it!

The Serenity Prayer is one of the most calming, soothing and inspiring prayers that we live by.

God, grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change

The courage to change the things that I can

And the wisdom to know the difference

In order to conquer our fears, the strength that God has placed inside of us has to overcome whatever fear we allow to stand in our way. Stop selling yourself short because you don’t think that it is for you – YES! It is absolutely for you – the only person that is stopping you is you…. What can you do today, right now, with what you have?

At The Visionary Associates, we want to see you win. Why?! Because we know that when you win – that just means that you are walking in the greatness that God has designed you for. It means that you believe in yourself as God believes in you. You understand and know that God is paving your way – even the crooked ones. If you need a partner to help you figure this out, reach out and grab our hand – we want to pull you up!

It's quite comfortable to sit back and keep the status quo. After all, if you don't rock the boat, you can't fall into the sea. But without risk, there are few rewards.

Abandon Your Fears

You already know that taking risks is risky. To build up the courage, you need to master your fears. However, it's not as easy as it sounds. If you've spent the better part of your life with fear, it could be deeply engrained in your subconscious, but it's not impossible to change. All you need now is the willingness to overcome your fears. If you really want to abandon your fears, there's nothing that can stop you!

Here are some tips to keep fear at bay:

1.      Recognize and Become Aware Your Fears. Recognize your fears for what they really are. You'll soon discover how your fears are limiting you by your reactions to them.

Let's say you're afraid of heights. Top of roofs, airplanes, roller coasters, those are a few things that could make your response be a quick "Oh no! Get me out of here!" If you continue this pattern of thinking you'll always be afraid. Accept that the fear is real, but challenge yourself to approach the situation with courage and inner strength.

2.      Overcome Your Fears. Many times we're afraid of something because it remains in the unknown. We might label something as risky because we don't yet know or understand what's going on.

An example would be avoiding college because you're afraid of meeting new people, the workload, and so on. To overcome this fear, you can get familiar with the college, the courses, and the people so you can feel more comfortable and confident. Doing so will ease the fear of the unknown and give you a sense of relief.

3.      Change Your Thinking. If you can alter the way you think about a certain situation, you'll then act differently. Your fears may overwhelm your thoughts at times, but your job is to put a stop to this.

For example, if you think you'll never be able to achieve your goals, you won't. But if you believe in yourself, you're far more likely to succeed!

How to Take Risks

Once you overcome your fears mentally, it's time to take risks. Whether you realize it or not, you take risks every day. Most risks are quite minor, but risk accompanies nearly every decision you make.

Follow these pointers to help you get into a risk taking mindset:

• A "risk" may sound negative; instead, think of it as more of an "adventure" or "journey."

• Visualize a positive outcome.

• Consider the reasons why you're hesitant to take a risk.

• When you have a set plan in place, taking a risk is a whole lot less threatening.

• When you've taken the leap, evaluate your experience so you can improve in the future.

• Self-confidence is the most important ingredient to success.

Putting it all Together

If you're feeling tentative about the whole thing, get your feet wet with small steps. You can't expect yourself to change drastically overnight, but at the same time you have to believe in yourself and believe that change is possible.

Overcoming fears and taking risks go hand in hand. Start small and dream big. You only have one journey on this earth, so you might as well make the most of it!

The Serenity Prayer is one of the most calming, soothing and inspiring prayers that we live by.

God, grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change

The courage to change the things that I can

And the wisdom to know the difference

In order to conquer our fears, the strength that God has placed inside of us has to overcome whatever fear we allow to stand in our way. Stop selling yourself short because you don’t think that it is for you – YES! It is absolutely for you – the only person that is stopping you is you…. What can you do today, right now, with what you have?

At The Visionary Associates, we want to see you win. Why?! Because we know that when you win – that just means that you are walking in the greatness that God has designed you for. It means that you believe in yourself as God believes in you. You understand and know that God is paving your way – even the crooked ones. If you need a partner to help you figure this out, reach out and grab our hand – we want to pull you up!

Making the most of life means different things to different people. Having just coming back from burying my grandmother, it made me question this because it is usually during these times of saying good-bye to our loved ones, life and death becomes more prevalent. To determine what making the most of life means to you, you may want to do some soul-searching. Once you discover what you really desire, you can move toward it and find meaning in the process.

Helping others is an effective way to receive more fulfillment from your life. You can volunteer your time, your talent(s) or donate money or items to a worthy cause. You will find that this may give you a sense of peace and joy that you didn't have before. Of course, when times are tight, you may find it difficult to give financially. However, there are always ways to help.

# 1 - Give of Yourself

Many people undervalue this but our time is precious so giving of our selves is just as worthy as financial resources. When you give of yourself this will allow you to appreciate more joy from your life. For it is much better to give, than to receive. Keep in mind that giving takes many forms – give what you have to offer.  Give with full love, give with open kindness, give with overflowing forgiveness. Sometimes just listening to someone's troubles or offering to help sweep a floor or clean a kitchen can make a huge difference. By helping others to lead fulfilling lives, you will enrich your own.

To get the most from your life and move forward toward the life you desire, look for any ways that you can be a help to yourself and other people.

Try these ideas to get you started:

1.  Practice gratitude

2.  Practice praising/praying

3.  Volunteer

4.  Mentor

5.  Financial resources only if available

Remember Your Own Needs

When you start to care for others, you'll enjoy a healthy dose of personal fulfillment, but you'll still need to tend to your own needs, too. You'll be more helpful to others if you also take time for yourself. Rest and relaxation is important for your own life satisfaction.

Prayer and meditation can be a good way to find some peace and relaxation. The key is to find what works for you and then practice it. The better you feel and the more energy you have, the more you can offer to others. This, in turn, re-energizes you more and makes you feel even better about yourself.

Avoid worrying too much about the things you cannot change. That can be easier said than done, but it's very important. When you get worried and stressed out, your energy is devoted to managing your challenges instead of to helping others. By focusing on the beauty in life and refraining from negativity, you usher in feelings of peace and joy. I like to meditate on the Serenity Prayer and it is incorporated in our teachings here. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

When you feel relaxed in your mind and heart, it's much easier to feel fulfilled and joyous. You also demonstrate harmonious living to the world, which can bring relief and happiness to others who might be struggling. In cultivating inner peace, you bring satisfaction to yourself and others, rewarding you with the fulfilling life you deserve!

At The Visionary Associates, we always say that you can’t pour from an empty cup. Which means for life to be fulfilling, you have to actively practice life fulfillment. You have to be an participant in your story of life and whatever the situation, look for ways to find fulfillment – find peace.

Being new at anything comes with rawness and vulnerability and with an understanding to yourself that whatever you are doing is for the betterment of you. I think life experiences teaches us to be cautious and sometimes fearful of new paths and avenues in our life. Do we really ever come back to a moment of when we approach newness with the boldness that we did as a child (new food, new words, new height…)? I think for many, we don’t; and those that do – I salute your courageousness!

For some, rawness and vulnerability can be looked at as a weakness and if spoken loudly enough, can have the ability to stifle growth on the recipient of those words. One group in particular that might be more common to hear those words are men. How many times have you heard (or even said if we are being honest) that, “Men aren’t supposed to cry”? Or if a man was expressing emotion then usually people are having more conversation around how the emotion made them look versus what the actual problem is. And for many that may give them pause to be raw – be open – be vulnerable. Which we all know social media plays a huge factor in this.

But, on this day, we at The Visionary Associates, want the men of this world to know that we see you and we love you. We see that you are just trying to make it day-by-day while walking around the weighted responsibility of “you have to be strong”. You don’t. You can be raw – you can be exposed – you can be vulnerable. And we will still be proud of you. Still cheering you on – still motivating you. Well, why is that? Because we believe in you. We believe that everything is for God’s purpose – even the “open, gaping holes”.  It is something about when we peel back layers; we begin to meet parts of ourselves unknown, to experience many “firsts”. And if we walk with the idea that the vulnerability is the strength that it is, we can begin to walk with the boldness that we once did (but with more superpower from God).

Men, know your worth. You are powerful. You are strong. You are great. You are worthy. You can accomplish any dream that you want to. What steps can you take today (it’s Father’s Day so this will require no real physical work – its your day) in your mind to begin to walk in your greatness. To begin to know why we celebrate you – to see yourself worthy enough to be celebrated. And then tomorrow, get to stepping. And every man is not a father – no; but every man deserves to be celebrated.

I know life is hard (and I know from a woman’s perspective) which is different from a man so this is not a “I know how you feel”. We just know that you can do it – step by step, moment by moment, breathe by breath. When things get hard, keep walking. When walking gets too hard, keep praying. But never stop moving. We will do our part and cheer you on the best we can – we will pray for and with you for God to keep you covered as you walk through your journey.

Please know that you are never alone. Please know that right now is just right now – there is another side – another victory. There are sunny days for you. There are endless smiles for your face to share. When moments occur, and they will, just know that you can conquer it. You are face it. You are great. You are momentous.

And to the fathers, we commend you. We commend you for taking on the role to be the encourager, the lover, the protector, the strength for your child. Thank you for giving so selflessly because you accepted the “first” of fatherhood and just keep figuring it out along the way. We honor our Fathers before us – our grandfathers, great-grandfathers, many generations back – and we thank you for keeping on.

Happy Father’s Day!

Breaking the Procrastination Habit with Positive Self-Talk

Are you a reluctant procrastinator? Do you always wait until the last moment to get things done?  Do you find you are always putting things off until you can't put them off any longer?  Are your friends, family members, and co-workers frustrated with the way you tackle projects of any size?  If so, you aren't alone.  Procrastination is something many people deal with. Although it can be hard to change overnight, positive self-talk is a great way to stop procrastinating and change your life. Positive self-talk can help turn you from a procrastinator into a doer.

Using Positive Self-Talk to Stop Procrastinating

Positive self-talk is a great way to stop procrastinating because you can talk yourself out of procrastinating the minute you start!  The problem for most of us who procrastinate is that it is just the way we do things. We don't even necessarily think about why we procrastinate. It's our normal approach to life, and it's hard to stop something we have been doing for so long.  Positive self-talk is a great approach to stopping procrastination as it starts because the self-talk occurs in the moment!

Positive self-talk is the practice of responding to your mind's thoughts as they happen.  If you know you have a big project you need to start working on today and you think it can wait until tomorrow, for example, you can stop and remind yourself that it needs to be started today. During those moments when you want to wait until tomorrow, you can use positive self-talk to make sure you don't put off until tomorrow what needs to be done today. Positive self-talk can stop the negative internal dialogue before it gets to the point of being overwhelming.

Many people use affirmations to help with positive self-talk. Affirmations are positive statements you can use to help you steer clear of procrastination. You should repeat these affirmations when you feel the urge to procrastinate.

An example of an affirmation that may help you with procrastination may be: "I feel no need to create obstacles for myself. I move forward, stronger than ever," or, "By keeping organized and using my time wisely, procrastination melts away." These are concise statements that can be memorized so no matter where you are when you begin to procrastinate, you can repeat these positive statements to yourself. Doing this helps you to talk yourself out of procrastination mode.

As you can see, positive self-talk is a great way to combat procrastination. You can reprogram the way you think when you use your affirmations. If you stop procrastination in its tracks each and every time, soon the habit of doing things when they need to be done will replace the habit of procrastination.  

Once you repeat the process of positive self-talk many times, you'll be able to combat procrastination, lead a much less hectic life, and the people in your life will thank you for the change in the way you deal with things!  When used effectively, positive self-talk can change your life for the better. So stop procrastinating and start talking to yourself!

And if you need a little bit of motivation, nudging or accountability to help you as you work toward positive self-talk, then please know that The Visionary Associates is here to help. We want to help you be the best you – inside and out. And know that you are never by yourself – procrastination, personally, is one of the major things that I have to work on daily but I am here to tell you that it gets better. Once you really move past procrastination, you will find that you are able to get so much done – so much checked off!

Schedule a call with us today if you need someone to be with you as you work toward discovering parts within that may be a first introduction.

If you need a partner, a motivator, a cheerleader, we are here. We are offering our hand to you because we believe in you. We believe in your greatness. You are amazing!

Discovering Happiness in Your Life

Happiness is a choice. It's true. You can choose to let life's circumstances get you down or you can choose to be happy no matter what challenges life brings.

Happiness is already within each of us and we are born to be naturally happy! For example, have you ever noticed how infectious a baby's giggle is? So why is it that, as we get older, we forget where to find happiness within ourselves and, instead, allow outside forces to determine our happiness?

You can determine your own happiness. May I suggest some strategies:

• When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Cliché, I know, however it's so true. You don't have to let life's troubles and problems get you down. Yes, there will always be troubles because no one is perfect, but you can choose your reaction to situations. Look at the positive side of things and work hard to see the good in people and circumstances. It really is possible. Not easy but possible.

• Find something you love to do and do it. Do you have a lifelong dream or desire? If so, start working toward it. Taking baby steps towards a dream or goal will help you feel like you're accomplishing something. You'll find drive and determination to reach that goal when it's something you love to do. You don't have to be stuck doing anything -  it is possible for you to do what you love and make money. The key is finding what you love and what you are willing to work toward.

• Do you have a gift or talent you're not using? One reason so many people are unhappy is that they're not doing what they're called to do with their God-given talents. Each and every one of us has a purpose in life. You have natural gifts and talents to help you achieve your purpose, so use your gifts effectively! I have a great friend and mentor that tells me all the time, "You need to use your gifts or trust me, you will lose them, so don't waste them, embrace them."

• When you're feeling down, don't wallow in your sorrows alone; do something about it. Pray. First. You can't stop with yourself. Trust me. God is always listening. In our down times is really when we have to dig deep down and find and release our faith. Secondly, call a friend who you know is positive and cheerful. Talk about your feelings – get it all out. So often, people allow themselves to go deeper and deeper into self-pity or depression because they think it has to be that way. The truth is, you don't have to be sad and you shouldn't be. You can decide to be happy. You just have to make up your minds to do so. And don't call the friend who will make you more depressed. And don't set yourself up.

• Think about all the things you have to be thankful for. Often you get so caught up in what's wrong with your life that you forget to look at what's right and good. Take a step back and reflect on your life. How far have you come from, say, six months ago?

  • Do you have children or family to be thankful for? Yes, they may not be everything we'd like them to be, but imagine life without them. Now, be thankful that you have them in your life.

  • Do you have a job? Maybe it's not your dream job, but in today's economy, those of us who have a job should be thankful for it.

• When you're feeling down, journal your thoughts and feelings. Often you'll find that just getting your feelings down on paper will allow you to work through them, helping you to feel better about yourself and your beautiful life! Grab a gratitude journal from our store and save 10% by using code "VISIONARY".
  
  
  

If you've been prone to look at life negatively, then you'll have to put more effort into seeing and choosing happiness. But don't let that stop you from being happy! You, too, can learn to be happy.

Practice the steps above and train your mind to focus intensely on the positives. When you feel a negative thought coming on, or your mind gravitates toward the negative, learn to recognize it, stop it in its tracks, and then start thinking happier thoughts.

Starting from this moment onward, make the conscious choice to be happy! At The Visionary Associates, we believe that you can truly live a positive life. A meaningful life. But it is work – you have to consciously make an effort to be present to take steps to walk and talk in the direction you want to go. We believe that vision boarding and life coaching are just some techniques and resources that can assist with the emergence of greatness that is already lying inside of you.

Your mind literally controls your life. It creates scenarios, worlds, imaginations that can either come true or live inside of us locked away forever only to end in regret down the road.

If you need a partner, a motivator, a cheerleader, we are here. We are offering our hand to you because we believe in you. We believe in your greatness. You are amazing!

Is a Life Coach the Right Choice for You?

Life coaching is a relatively new phenomenon. The purpose of a life coach is to help you create a life that fulfills you. Many people have touted the benefits, saying that their life coaches have changed their lives for the better.

If you’re wondering about hiring a life coach, consider these benefits:

1. You can finally decide what you want to be when you grow up. Life coaches are great at getting you to actually choose what you want for your life. You’ll get to design your ideal life to maximize your fulfillment.

2. You’ll raise your standards. Many of your challenges likely result from having standards that are too low. You may be too quick to settle, taking jobs that are beneath your capabilities or getting into relationships that don’t serve you. Your boundaries may be weak and undefined.

• A life coach will help you overcome these challenges.

3. You’ll be held accountable. If you decide on your own to start working out each morning and then you don’t follow through, you can tell yourself that you’ll start again tomorrow. On the other hand, a life coach will keep you to the task. 

• One reason this strategy works is because most of us find letting others down to be painful. And most of us don’t like being in “trouble.”

4. Your life will become more balanced. We all tend to emphasize certain things and fail to give others enough emphasis. A life coach will force you to give adequate attention to all the areas of your life.

5. You’ll be forced to stretch yourself. Have you ever noticed that some people never change? They’re the same today as they were ten or more years ago. Life is about learning and applying that learning to get better results. If your life is always the same, you’re either not learning or not applying what you’ve learned.

• Your life coach will get you to do all of those things you should be doing and want to be doing, but can’t quite get yourself to do.

6. You’ll work through your challenges with an expert to support you. Dealing with challenges can be intimidating. Having an expert in your corner can make all the difference. Two heads really can be better than one. Sometimes all we need is a little encouragement and support. It can be a great way to get unstuck.

7. You’ll have someone that is just as excited by your successes as you are! Have you ever done something that fills you with pride, only to find out that your family, friends, or significant other seems less than impressed?

•  Having someone cheer your successes creates momentum. Momentum allows you to accomplish even greater accomplishments.

8. You’ll solve challenges you didn’t even realize you had. Typically a coach is hired for a specific reason. But through the process of coaching, you’ll find that there are other issues that might be just as important. There’s no place to hide with a good life coach.

Life coaching can be a great idea if you feel that you’re stuck and truly want to change. Do you recognize yourself in the points listed above? Have you been trying to change your life but been unable to? If so, a life coach is likely to make a huge difference in your life.

On the other hand, if your life is right where you want it, a life coach might not be what you’re looking for.

Consider your desires and your ability to bring them about on your own. If you feel you could use some help, seeking the help of a life coach might be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made.

At The Visionary Associates, we are your motivator, supporter, cheerleader, and encourager. We want you to win! And in order to win, you have to walk with purpose. If you need someone in your corner, then let us be that….

With life coaching, you put the spotlight on yourself – but in a good way – a spotlight into your hopes, your dreams, your goals, your successes, your failures, your highs, your lows, your nooks, your crannies… whatever is needed in order for you to be who you were called to be – the best you that is already within you!

Schedule a life-coaching session with us…give us a try…give yourself a try… and win…

Have you ever been hurt so badly that you thought you'd never come out on the other side? Perhaps you're still holding onto that grief. If you are, then it's time to learn how to let go of past pain. You deserve to let it go and learn how to move forward with your life. 

Holding onto past pain and anguish is a kind of self-inflicted torture that can cause serious health risks as well as emotional scarring. The truth is, when you cling to the past, you're internally changing your present.

How can something you've kept inside for so long just be let go? It's not an easy task, but it can be done with a little effort and self-reflection.

Here are some ways you can let go of past pain and disappointment, so you can move forward with your head held high: 

1. Know what's holding you back. What are you holding onto and why? Identify the things you're keeping inside that you shouldn't be.

• For example, maybe your best friend betrayed you in a way that broke your trust. Recognize this and figure out a way to finally deal with it. Get in touch with them again, then explain the pain they've caused.

• They may not even be aware they did anything to upset you. Whether or not they apologize isn't important. While it may be nice, you can't control others or force them to say sorry. However, by simply voicing your feelings, you are finding closure from the hurtful situation.

• Getting closure on something that was left open-ended can make a huge difference in letting things go. 

2. Talk it out. If the person who caused the hurt is still in your life, talk to them about the way they made you feel. If that person isn't available, try to talk to a close friend or professional therapist about the situation.

• Getting your emotions out in the open can help you get over any resentment or anger you may be feeling. Bottling up your emotions is never a good thing. Let it all out in a constructive way and you'll be amazed at how much better you'll feel.  

3. Forgive and forget. It may sound easier said than done, but forgiving someone who has hurt you can be extremely therapeutic. Strive to let things stay in the past and don't allow them to affect your present.

• Once you learn to forgive the people who've caused your pain, you will find it far easier to heal and move on with your life. 

4. Make the first move. You're in charge of your pain. You're the one who carries it around with you and you're the only one who can change its intensity. It's up to you to take control of the pain and take the first step towards making yourself feel better.

• Acknowledge that your pain is real and that a positive solution exists.

• Confront the cause of the pain and do everything in your power to get rid of it. 

The best way to move forward is to forgive the past. If you can't change the past, you might as well learn to accept it and move on. You'll be glad you did once you see just how bright your future can be when you regain control of your life.

Make the conscious decision, today, to live your life free from pain and resentment. 

This blog is not written with unicorn fairies and pots of gold. It was written with the reality that where you are right now will not always be where you will be if you move toward better. The pain right now won’t last forever. The sun does shine again. 

As we move into this holiday season, it is more important than ever that we begin to let go of the things that no longer serve us. Let go of trauma that we are holding on to. Let go of hurt and pain slowly as you begin to open yourself up to receive love.

At The Visionary Associates, we see you, we hear you and we love you. We are here to help you if and when you are ready to help yourself. If it is through vision boarding, life coaching or Positive Possession, let us be here to walk with you as you begin to realize that you are not the victim, but more so the victor! Try us out for the new year – we promise you will realize it was one of the better decisions that you made in life.

What you focus on will generally manifest itself in your life. Many people call this the Law of Attraction. Unlike the speed limit, it's one of those universal laws that you really can't break. Sooner or later, what you focus on will be what your life becomes.

Finding the right life focus can be a challenge. Plenty of things catch your attention and drag you away from your passions. If you spend too much time looking at the distractions of life, those distractions can keep you from accomplishing the things that you value most.

Activities to Focus on in Your Life

Many thoughts, ideas, and obligations compete for your attention every day. Consider the following questions when you're trying to decide on the activities you want to focus on more deeply:

1. Where do you want to be in your career? If you're not where you'd like to be, what can you do that will move you forward in the direction of your career aspirations?

2. How are your personal relationships? If these bonds aren't as strong as you'd like, what can you do to strengthen them so they can endure hardships?

3. Where are you spiritually? What can you do to further develop your spiritual life?

There are many paths to happiness. The path you choose depends on your deepest core values and desires, and those values can be very different to what matters to other people. Instead of aiming for what makes others happy, focus on what matters most to you.

Decide to spend your life focusing on activities that work for you, make you happy, and add purpose and value to your future. If you're focusing on something other than that, you're missing out on the most important things life has to offer. Your life focus directs your steps and shapes your destiny. Choose the destiny you deserve.

Ways to Find Your Life Focus

If you want to find your life focus, spend time with people who know where they want to go with their life and are passionate about fulfilling their purpose. The company you keep makes a huge difference in the direction your life takes. How you look at the world, what you think about, and the way you spend your time also shape your future.

When you evaluate your life to determine the right direction for you, consider your ultimate destiny.

• What would you allow yourself to do or dream if you knew it was impossible for you to fail?

• What relationships would you pursue?

• What career decisions would you make?

• What experiences would you try?

• What's stopping you from getting started today?

Everyone's life focus is different. For some, a happy family is what's most important. Others dream of attaining a degree, reaching a certain income level, or experiencing a life of thrills and travel. The key to your happiness is finding those life activities that feed your soul and fulfill your purpose. When you do, you'll enjoy the rich, full life you've always dreamed about.

If you are reading this and you are standing at crossroads in your life, this is just what you needed at this time. So let us, The Visionary Associates, be here to help you, encourage you, push you to become all that God created you to be. Isn’t a fulfilling, peaceful life worth striving for?

Do you know your life’s purpose? Most people don’t. In fact, few people have even considered it. That’s a shame, because knowing your life’s purpose makes life more exciting and satisfying.

Imagine being excited to live each day! Most people dread getting up and spend the week waiting for the weekend.

Determining your life’s purpose is worthy of your time and consideration!

Consider these ideas:

1. It’s easier to plan your day. Most people spend their day trying to figure out what to do. When you don’t have a clear objective and purpose, it’s easy to become lost. What are you attempting to achieve each day?

2. It’s easier to resist distractions. Your life’s purpose is something that’s compelling to you. Distractions are hard to resist when your life feels meaningless, or you feel bored. Your ability to focus is enhanced when you know your purpose.

3. It’s easier to make decisions. Your purpose is the overriding consideration in your life. Decisions are much easier to make when you clearly understand what you’re trying to accomplish.

• For example, if your purpose is to be a world-class marathoner, the right diet choices become much clearer. You also know that getting to bed on time each night is more important than running around all night with your friends.

4. Fun. For most people, a fun activity is just something done for distraction. It’s not something you would want to do all day, every day. Riding a rollercoaster is fun, but you wouldn’t want to do it for eight hours every day. Eating ice cream is fun, but it’s not enjoyable to eat five times a day.

• When you know your purpose, the activities associated with that purpose can be “fun.” You know you’re living the life you’re supposed to live. That’s the ultimate source of fun. Imagine having fun at your work!

5. Contentment. You feel content when you know and live your purpose. The nagging feeling that you should be doing something else with your life dissipates. Contentment is what remains. This is the emotion that most people crave, even if they don’t realize it.
   
   

6. Enthusiasm. You feel much more motivated. You feel less internal resistance. Knowing your purpose unleashes your enthusiasm. In fact, enthusiasm is one clue that you’re living your purpose. Are you enthusiastic about going to your job each day?
   
   

7. You make meaningful progress in your life. Happiness is largely the result of making progress toward meaningful goals. You have a much better chance of being happy when you’re aware of your life’s purpose.

• Do you have goals? If not, why? If you do have goals, how do you feel when you’re making progress toward them?

8. You become more interesting to others. Have you ever known someone that was clear on what they wanted from their life? It’s exciting to be around someone like that. You become much more interesting and magnetic when your life has a clear direction. Your social life improves in many ways.
   
   

9. Your creativity is fully utilized. Pursuing anything meaningful will involve overcoming obstacles. When you’re fully energized, your creativity can operate at full power. You’re surprised by your ability to solve problems.

The world is full of people aimlessly drifting through life without a purpose. Most people have never taken the time to consider what they want their life to be about. This is a huge mistake, because there are so many benefits to knowing and living your life’s purpose

If you don’t know your life’s purpose, stop everything you’re doing and give it some serious thought. You only have one life to live!

Ultimately, we are here for you. We want to encourage you, motivate you and strengthen you as you push forward to greatness. At The Visionary Associates, it is not just about conducting a business, we are betting on you so we want you to win!

At The Visionary Associates, we believe in positivity. So much so, that we developed a course about it – The Positivity Possession Course! We believe that each of us has the opportunity to live in a place of positivity through a state of peace. God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things that we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

What is your purpose? 

If you’re like most people, you have no idea how to answer that question, because you’ve never considered it. That’s unfortunate. Companies have mission statements, and you should consider creating one for your own life. How can you make the best plans and decisions for yourself if you lack a mission statement?

Writing a mission statement has three primary benefits. It forces you to consider what your purpose in life is. It also gives your life direction and something you can use to measure yourself by. There’s no reason not to create a mission statement for your life.

Create a mission statement and give your life direction and purpose with these strategies:

1. Determine the person you want to be. Imagine the person you would be prouder being. What characteristics does that person possess? Give yourself the benefit of the doubt and assume that you can become anything you desire. Who would you want to be? What qualities do you want to stand for?
   
   

2. Consider your heroes. Whom do you look up to? Why? The people you most admire can leave clues about what is most important and impressive to you. Whose life would you like to live? It can even be someone from the past. Whom did you admire when you were a child? It might be a relative or neighbor.
   
   

3. Look online for a few examples that can inspire you. There are several CEOs and other famous people that have posted their mission statements for the world to see. Check out a few and see if anything appeals to you.
   
   

4. Imagine looking back on your life. Picture yourself on your deathbed. What would you like to see when you look back on your life? What legacy do you want to leave behind? Having regret at this stage in your life would be a tragic thing. You can prevent that by considering this circumstance today.
   
   

5. Write your mission statement. You have enough information now to write your mission statement. Try limiting yourself to a single paragraph and hone in on the essential elements. Describe the mission for your life. There’s no reason to feel tied down to anything you write now. You’re in control. You can always make adjustments in the future.

It's ok to say that you need help we life. No one is here to judge you. We only want to help you see and walk in the best you that you can be. Don't you deserve it? Doesn't your children deserve walking in greatness because they see you walking in greatness?! Accomplish dreams, rise higher, be all that God created you to be. Let us help you think deeper, go deeper, be deeper.

At The Visionary Associates, we believe in positivity. So much so, that we developed a course about it – The Positivity Possession Course! We believe that each of us has the opportunity to live in a place of positivity through a state of peace. God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things that we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Bad moods are the dumps. No one likes bad moods and even more so, no one wants to be around someone who's feeling sour. A bad mood is a great way to bring you - and everyone around you - down a dwindling spiral. So how do you shake off a bad mood?

It’s easy! Just try out one of these simple ideas to turn your frown upside down:

1. Meditate. Deep breathing exercises and a focused mind can break you out of any sour mood. Remember back in grade school when you were taught to take deep breaths and count to 10 when you got angry? It was actually for a very good reason.

   • When focusing on one thing and breathing deeply, our bodies tend to respond in a positive way by relaxing and releasing tension.

2. Get moving. Exercise releases hormones that help alter your mood. Cleaning your space gets you moving and makes you feel better about your surroundings. It doesn’t really matter what you do; just get up, get out, and get moving.

   • Many times your bad mood can be amplified by your lack of movement. Getting up and doing something, whether it’s exercising or even walking over to the nearest coffee shop, can give you a big mood boost.

3. Laugh. There’s no possible way that you can laugh and stay in a bad mood. It’s proven that your emotions follow your actions, which is why many therapists recommend taking action to cure things like anxiety and stress. Next time you’re in a bad mood, try laughing.

   • I guarantee that you can’t stay in your bad mood after more than 5 minutes of continuous laughter!

4. Treat yourself. Do something just for you. You deserve it anyway. The key is to just go a little overboard and do something you wouldn’t ordinarily do. Have fun with it and make it memorable.

   •  Go shopping for one of your favorite articles of clothing and splurge a little if you can afford it.

   • Have a massage or spa treatment. Similar to the meditation, this is a great tool to relax and break you out of whatever might be dragging you down.

   • If you’re short on funds, go dream shopping. Visualize yourself shopping in an expensive clothing store or riding on the freeway in your dream luxury car. Can you feel how glamorous you feel? Give yourself a reason to get back into the swing of things and get rolling again.

   • Get a hot fudge sundae with extra hot fudge.

5. Read a book. Reading a book takes you to a different place and allows you to step into someone else’s shoes. Why not pick up a book by your favorite author and let them transport you out of your bad mood for an hour or so?

6. Get dressed. That’s right. Get up, take a shower, and put on some clothes that make you feel good.

   • Studies have shown that your mood has a lot to do with your self-image. How different do you think your self-image is between a just-rolled-out-of-bed look and a ready-to-hit-the-ground-running look?

   • By getting dressed and doing what it takes to make yourself look good on the outside, you feel better on the inside. When you feel better on the inside, your mood changes significantly and you’re ready to face the day.

7.  Hang out with friends (I didn’t forget about you extroverts!). What are friends for? Be around any of your good friends for any length of time and you’ll be snapped out of that bad mood so fast you won’t even know what hit you.

While there are many other ways to shake yourself out of a bad mood, these are a few great ways to start. Try some of them next time you’re feeling down. Better yet, see how many of them you can make it through before your bad mood has completely vanished.

My guess is you might only make it to the second tip, then you’re just doing it because it’s fun!

At The Visionary Associates, we believe in positivity. So much so, that we developed a course about it – The Positivity Possession Course! We believe that each of us has the opportunity to live in a place of positivity through a state of peace. God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things that we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Life is full of surprises. In an average day, a seemingly endless number of unexpected events can occur that might create stress, worry, and frustration. But instead of letting these negative emotions take over, what if you were to make a conscious decision to have a great day?

Try these techniques to bring joy to each day:

1.  Use self-suggestion. First thing in the morning, make a conscious decision to have a great day. As you’re brushing your teeth, look yourself in the eye. Tell yourself, “I’m going to have a great day,” and mean it. This is your chance to set yourself up for a fantastic day, whether you’ll be with your family, at work, or hanging out with friends.

2.  Empower yourself. You’re taking control of what might have turned into a negative situation when you decide to allow events to just roll on by and not affect you adversely. Take the bull by the horns and state to yourself what you will and won’t do in a challenging situation.

·         Refuse to allow someone or something other than yourself to ruin your day. When you do this, you’re saying “no” to negativity. You’re taking a stand. When you’re resolved in this way, your healthy stubbornness will ensure you have a great day.

3.  Recognize what really matters. When you encounter a challenging situation, prompt yourself to see the bigger picture. If one part of a project isn’t going well, identify that you’ve been in similar circumstances before and will most likely be in them again someday. Know, however, that such situations don’t last, and easy times will come again, too.

4.  Remind yourself of the positive. Remember that you still have other things to do today and the trying situation isn’t the only event you’ll encounter. Before the day is out, you might win the lottery or get that promotion you’ve wanted. Or maybe all the traffic lights will be green on your way home. Whether big or small, positive things are likely to happen today.

5.  Consider a challenging event as an adventure. When you look back, you’ll find that many prior situations that you were initially disappointed in turned out to be great opportunities for you. Shift your paradigm from “Oh, this is bad” to “This could be interesting.”

6.  Discover the silver lining. What are the positives about a trying situation? You may feel challenged at first to find something positive about a difficult occurrence. However, with some practice, this will become easier. You’ll eventually be able to identify what the real beauty of the tough event is.

When life gets you down, you always have a choice. You can either let yourself be completely overtaken with the weight of your challenge or decide to have a great day.

Turn negative situations into adventures and seek the silver lining in every challenging event. You have all the power you need within you to make your life as enjoyable as you want it to be!

Hey, we get it – we all need some help. Every day won’t be a great day but there is greatness in every day – learn to seek the greatness. At The Visionary Associates, we see you and we appreciate you. Your rareness is unique! Let us be your cheerleader, your motivator, your dream pusher – because you deserve it!

You've probably heard that you can only get where you want to be if you know where you're going. This pithy statement is as true now as the first time it was said. So how do you come to know where you're going, so you can get where you want to be?

To start with, goals are crucial. When we set goals, what we're really trying to do is to bring each piece of our lives in line with our overall vision for ourselves. Using a powerful vision-setting process can help you set more effective goals, since you can chart a course that will take you toward and support your vision.

Do you have a vision for each segment of your life? Do you know where you're headed spiritually, socially, relationally, physically, financially, and more?

Use this process to help you create a vision that works for you:

Write down your vision for a particular aspect of your life. Write a couple of paragraphs describing what you'd like to have or be. There's no right or wrong. In fact, you probably won't precisely articulate your dreams the very first time you try the exercise. A reasonable guess is a good place to start.

·  In writing your vision, avoid focusing on what you don’t want, because this will only bring about more of that. Turn your back on negativity and focus on what you do want to bring about.

·  For example, if you want more money: Avoid wording your statement like: “I don’t want to be poor anymore.” Instead, envision what it would be like to be rich, which is what you want, and write about what that would be like for you.

·  Although you may feel challenged when first learning to focus on what you want, it gets easier. Plus, the rewards are spectacular when you can do it consistently. You'll start to notice that your life seems as if you can change it at will, which you can.

Visualize. Read your vision statement 2-3 times a day and imagine that aspect of your life matches your vision perfectly. How does your vision make you feel? Are you really excited and enthusiastic? Is it appealing to you on all levels? This shouldn't take more than 60 seconds to do each time.

Refine. If you feel really good about your vision, that's great. If not, now is the time to make some alterations. Continue refining the image of your dream life until doing your visualization feels spectacular. Re-write each new version.

·  At this point, you may be wondering when this process ever ends. Fortunately, it never ends. Your vision will forever be changing slightly throughout your life, which is good, since your desires will also change over time.

Review your vision daily and ensure that it continues to attract you. This will rapidly usher change into your life. In turn, these changes will demonstrate that you're actually moving towards that vision.

Create separate vision statements for all the areas of your life. Consider your finances, relationships, adventure, health, social life, and spirituality. If you can get all these visions to look just the way you want, imagine what your life will look like!

Why Spend Time On This Process?

Consider all the things you do every day. Everything you do is either helping you reach your vision or helping someone else reach theirs. Wouldn’t you rather help yourself reach yours? At The Visionary Associates, let us help you reach for the stars. It would be our honor and pleasure to believe in you as you believe in yourself.

Creating a vision is the first step to creating the life you desire. Tweak your visions a couple of times a day and really focus on the experience of living that vision. This gets easier all the time, because imagining something enjoyable is pleasurable in itself. Vision board alert! Vision board alert! Why not bring your vision to light not only through words but through pictures in a visual format. Think about it – the word “car” and a picture of a Rolls Royce gives you different feelings within – the Rolls Royce gives you much more excitement!

Don't hesitate; create your visions today. Then, start reviewing and improving them immediately. Your life will change rapidly for the better. You'll then be spending your time making your own visions a reality instead of making someone else's dream come true.

You deserve to live in peace daily – and not just a peaceful external environment but and more importantly, a more peaceful INTERNAL environment. Visit us at www.thevisionaryassociates.com to see just how we can help you to keep pushing where you need it most.

Have you ever tried to cultivate gratitude? It can be more complicated than it sounds.

Our brains are usually wired to pay more attention to negative events. Hurricanes and heartbreaks create deeper impressions than rainbows and family dinners.

Sometimes, you’re just so busy that you forget about your resolutions on your way to work and don't realize it until you’re brushing your teeth at night.

With a little help, you can make thankfulness more automatic. Try these ideas for increasing your gratitude.

Benefits of Growing Your Gratitude

If you want to change your habits, it’s important to build your motivation. Keep reminding yourself of the advantages of being more appreciative. It will give you a powerful sense of purpose.

Consider these benefits:

1. Boost your mood. Gratitude can make you happier. It increases your energy levels and reduces daily stress.
   
   
   

2. Enhance your wellbeing. Many studies have found a connection with physical health too. Gratitude may strengthen your immune system, lower your blood pressure, and protect you from diabetes and other chronic conditions.
   
   
   

3. Deepen your relationships. Expressing your thanks also helps you to bond with others. You’re likely to feel more empathetic and experience a greater sense of belonging.

Daily Practices for Growing Your Gratitude

Work out your gratitude muscles the same way you train your body. Gradual and consistent actions help you to accomplish big goals with less stress.

These techniques will help you to include gratitude in your everyday life:

1. Keep a journal. You’ve probably heard suggestions about starting a gratitude journal. It can be an effective tool for staying on track and evaluating your progress. That’s especially true if you update it each day and review what you write, so you can spot patterns and reinforce positive choices.
   
   
   

2. Write letters. Did your parents remind you to write thank you letters? It’s a tradition worth passing on to your own kids. Let others know how they’ve made a positive difference in your life. Tell them in person too.
   
   
   

3. Minimize materialism. Being overly concerned with possessions and physical comfort makes it more difficult to feel grateful. Focus on spiritual values and personal relationships rather than retail therapy. Try to be content with what you have.
   
   
   

4. Resist comparisons. Envy is another obstacle to counting your blessings. Take pleasure in fortunate events that happen to others. It will make you feel happier in the long run. Examine your feelings to see if they’re pointing to some changes you want to make in your own life.
   
   
   

5. Welcome setbacks. You may even find yourself being thankful for things that seem like disappointments at first. Challenges teach us how to build character and resilience. Losses sometimes make room for new opportunities.
   
   
   

6. Reflect and pray. What does your faith teach you about being grateful? Create your own personal prayers of thanks. Explore what gratitude feels like for you.
   
   
   

7. Live purposefully. Slow down and savor small miracles. Notice the beauty of nature and the kindness of strangers. Imagine what life would be like without your family or a safe place to sleep.
   
   
   

8. Help others. Put your troubles in perspective by assisting others who are struggling. Volunteer at a local food bank or teach English to recent immigrants.
   
   
   

9. Acknowledge yourself. Saying thanks can feel awkward when you’re starting out. Warm up by practicing on yourself. Give yourself credit for eating nutritious foods and riding your bike to work.
   
   
   

10. Grow older. You might like knowing that gratitude usually increases with age. You can help the process along, but time is already on your side.

Increasing your gratitude levels could transform your life. Make giving thanks part of your daily routines. You’ll be glad that you did!

At The Visionary Associates, we believe that gratitude is simple because it's free but it's oh so powerful! When we express gratitude, it exudes in everything we do. And in return, God will fill our lives with more things we should be grateful for! The ability to see, to hear, to touch, to taste, to be.... let's find more ways to express our gratitude in everything we do! 

Resisting change may come naturally to you. After all, you might be pretty happy with the way things are now. Why shake up what’s already working – right?

The fact is, though, that things will always change in some way.

When you recognize everything you have to gain by accepting change, you’ll be more confident about embracing it.

Discover the sparkling gems that accompany life’s transitions:

1. You can adjust to the idea of unknown factors. You perhaps fear the unknown, which is a fear shared by many of us. But if you can look at the oncoming change as a new adventure, you’ll see the unknown element in a whole new light.

   • Take the Indiana Jones approach—“I don’t know what I’ll run in to around the next mountain, but it should be interesting.”

   • Build your confidence by learning to adjust to the unknown.

2. You’ll learn something. Chances are good that when something in your life changes, your level of personal knowledge increases. Surely you’re open to gaining some new knowledge you can use to live an enriched, more fascinating life.

3. Efficiency will likely increase. Although it may be difficult to imagine when a change is headed your way, it’s quite likely, at least in the work environment, that a change will bring more efficiency in getting work accomplished. Who knows, you might be able to get twice the work done in half the time!

4. A whole new world will open up for you. Some of the most wonderful things happen when change occurs, even unwanted change. Because the mind can’t always grasp in advance what will happen as the change unfolds, it’s not always easy to recognize the beauty of the newness that surrounds you in change.

5. It’s a nice opportunity to show and build your confidence. Since others will likely be as leery as you are about change, why not let your confidence shine as a transition approaches?

   • Look forward with positivity and recognize within yourself that you have whatever it takes to adjust to the change.

   • Also, as you experience more changes, you’ll notice you’re building confidence you can use when future changes loom. Remember how well you did when you took the job transfer five years ago? Or how you were able to live a better life once you disengaged from an unhealthy relationship?

   • You’ll not only demonstrate your confidence through the change process, you stand to gain even more self-assurance.

6. Change motivates you. Sometime, life’s path can become cluttered or a bit of a bore. But change can actually pull you through some challenging or ho-hum periods of time and motivate you to become a better worker, parent, partner, or person.

7. Change usually brings about success. No matter what the change, ultimately you’ll rise above and likely experience the success that changes so often bring.

Change introduces so many positive elements to your life. When you learn to embrace change along your life journey, you’ll strengthen your efforts to live your best life.

At The Visionary Associates, we believe that yes change is always inevitable. You are certainly not the same person you were 15-20 years ago – I am sure you have gotten taller or shorter (lol), hair long, hair short – you get the gist – something has changed. So change is just as normal as breathing in air. So why not embrace change BUT change for the better. IF you feel like you need help, we are here – don’t be afraid to reach out!

If you ever get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, you know how out of touch you can get with the things that really matter. But you actually have plenty of things to be grateful for, regardless of the circumstances in which you may find yourself.

Each person has their own unique list of things that bring simple pleasure, feelings of pure joy, or just a sense of comfort each day.

You can be grateful for physical blessings like where you live, the climate you reside in, or even your residence. You might be thankful about certain people being in your life. This may include your kids, your parents or your spouse/best friend.

The most important function of thankfulness is that it allows you to open your heart, mind, and soul to goodness, gratitude, and light.

If you’re unsure how to consciously cultivate gratitude, consider these suggestions:

• Take five. Allow yourself five minutes each morning to experience thankfulness. Take these moments to simply think about the past day. Say to yourself, “One thing I’m thankful for is___.” Fill in the blank with something you noticed from the last 24 hours. Think on it for a minute or so. Smile about it. Then go on with your morning.

• Appreciate your world openly. Share your gratitude with others. For example, if you’re chatting on the phone with a sibling or friends, you could say something like, “I am so glad that I went ahead and had the deck rebuilt over the summer. Now that fall is approaching, I will be able to sit outside and enjoy some of these beautiful afternoons.” Another example is, “I went shopping with my sister yesterday and she was so helpful when I wanted to pick out a new dress.” When your verbal acknowledgements to others demonstrate the gratitude you feel, you’ll develop a habit of recognizing what you’re thankful for.

• Notice the small stuff. Promise yourself you won’t take little things for granted. Because life becomes crowded with people, tasks, and objects, you may feel challenged to notice small bits of wonder in your day. But if you put your mind to it, you’ll be astounded at what you see.

• Open your eyes to the wonders all around you. They won’t cost a dime. A sunset, a warm cup of tea, or an ice-cold glass of water when you get home from work can be great reasons to feel gratitude. The smell of fresh baking bread as you walk by a bakery or your dog’s wet kisses are still more things that might remind you of your blessings.

• Learn to turn your thoughts around. When you discover you’re thinking negative thoughts, imagine a big stop sign and say, “Stop” out loud. Then, replace the stop sign with an image of something around you that you’re grateful for right at that moment. Think about that object, experience, person, or situation and bask in your positive experience.

• Keep a gratitude journal. If you find you’re having difficulty remembering to notice the things that stir your inner thankfulness, perhaps starting a gratitude journal would help. A journal is a tangible visual aid that will trigger you to think about what you’re grateful for.

• Try just putting put the date on the page and jotting down what you’re grateful for at that time. You can write as much or as little as you wish. Place your journal in a spot where you’ll see it frequently, like on the night stand table, the kitchen counter, by your favorite chair or by the toilet (YES – EVEN THERE!). This way, you’ll be prompted to experience your gratitude more often.

Being grateful is truly one of the things that makes life worth living!

Each time you consciously decide to experience your thankfulness, you’ll feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Open your eyes and mind to the people, places, things, and experiences you’re grateful for. You’ll feel so much better about your life.

At The Visionary Associates, we believe that sunshine is in everything, even the things we can’t see which is why gratitude is so important because it helps to remind us that the sunshine is there. We offer life coaching and vision boarding for those who want to walk within themselves and allow their higher selves to emerge. We are waiting for you!