There is no doubt that habits are formed through repetition.   The constant cycle of cue, routine, and reward create neurological pathways in our brains.

Most studies show that creating habits takes at least 60 days with some able to form habits in as little as 21 days. 

But how can you really help get the most out of training your brain to be a good boy or girl?  Mind full vs mindfulness is the best way to create good habits that stick.   Simply being present and in the moment when you are faced with a decision can ultimately break bad habits and form new pathways to good ones. 

When faced with a stimulus, like wanting to eat another handful of Cheez-Its, there is a space between that stimulus of wanting to eat that handful and your brain's response to actually going for it.  Within that space you have the power to choose... but only if you are conscious and in the moment. 

Mindfulness, or being conscious in the moment, will allow you to choose which path to travel.  If you have a goal to lose weight eating another handful of Cheez-Its would not be beneficial to  reaching that goal.   But if you are being mindful you can change your habit of always going for that unnecessary grab at a snack.

Practice makes perfect as will power is a muscle.  The key to forming any good habit is to constantly choose the option that's best for you so that sooner or later that response becomes automatic.  Your brain will no longer need to think about whether or not to do something it just will. 

The below video is one of my all time favorites and has some GREAT habits you should form in your life!  

Fundamental changes are occurring in business practices.  The “dog eat dog” competitive business model which has been accepted as “normal” is now being questioned.  A new business style which is less competitive and more creative is emerging as an alternative. 

The main difference between a negatively competitive business and a creative, MetaBusiness is how they handle fear.  Fight or flight is at the heart of the competitive business belief system.  Eat or be eaten, survival of the fittest.  Dive in and swim with the sharks is the order of the day.
 
When a highly competitive business person feels fear their automatic reaction is to either run away from the fear or fight the fear.  As a result, all kinds of fear-based practices can occur like greed, manipulation, lying, cheating, stealing, etc.
 
In a MetaBusiness fear is experienced but handled completely differently.  A creative business person feels the fear consciously and chooses not to react automatically with fight or flight.  They notice the restrictive effect fear has on their mind/body.  They know that it is not wise to take action while in that contracted fearful state.
 
Next time you feel fearful, uptight, afraid or that things will not work out, take these three steps and see what happens.
 
STEP 1:

• Do whatever it takes to move out of your identification with fear and move into and expanded state of relaxation and emotional calm.  Whatever gets your mind and feelings off the fear, do it. 
• Here is a list of possibilities: Take a walk, take a day off, exercise, talk to a friend, take a trip, do something creative... 

STEP 2:

• Focus on gratitude. 
• Be grateful for everything you hear and touch. 
• Be grateful for the big things and the little things. 
• Keep focusing on gratitude until you feel powerfully grateful. 
• Just thinking you are grateful is not feeling gratitude.

 
STEP 3:

• Be open to new, creative ideas which offer a creative solution to a difficulty that generates fear. 
• It’s hard to say where the creative idea will come from.  Just be open.  It could be a hunch or an intuitive flash.  A friend or stranger could say something that sparks a creative idea.
• You might be watching television, listening to Spotify or reading a book. 
• Who knows where it will come from.  Be open.  It will come.

 
 Looking for some motivation to move beyond FEAR?  Check out this quick video!

​Happy Earth Day!!!
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Take a pause at some point today and think about your favorite part of nature you’ve been without.   The beach, the park, the grass of your favorite golf course 😊.   Be grateful for those things and consider a few ways you might be able to treat the environment better moving forward.

• Use a refillable water bottle
• Start recycling
• Build a small garden 

Check out this rad video in celebration of Earth Day… this puts some things into perspective!

Our bodies are wired to have a physiological response to perceived stress.  It’s called fight or flight.   But more often than not our minds play a trick on us.   In fact there are 4 Annoying Features of the Mind:
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1) Our minds strongest intuitions are most often wrong​​​​

• We think things are worse than they really are.
  
• Stay in the moment and be conscious.
  
• Don't jump to conclusions right away

2) Our minds constantly make comparisons based off reference points

• We compare ourselves to others and think that what they have would make us happier … but it won’t.
• Be aware of what reference points you surround yourself with (TV shows that glorify the rich and the famous, music that promotes happiness through wealth, comparing yourself to your neighbors that have a "nicer" car, etc.)

3) Our minds are built to get used to stuff

• We quickly adapt and get used to good stuff… and bad stuff. 
  
• Hedonic Adaptation is the process of becoming accustomed to positive or negative stimuli.
• Saying, "I love you," the first time feels different than saying, "I love you," for the millionth time. 
• Chasing that fleeting moment good or bad is a lost cause.  You must reinvent and be open to what is in the moment. 

4) We don't realize our minds are built to get used to stuff

• We are unaware that we have a psychological immune system.
• Our brains are wired to be resilient so don't sweat the small stuff

If you’re looking for a good family flick that has a great message about living in the moment and enjoying the small things in life check out Winnie the Pooh and Ewen McGregor in Christopher Robin: