Is Your Mood Dropping Like a Leaf?

Posted on November 7, 2013 by jacquie

It seems when leaves change in the fall time so do some peoples’ moods… I have been hearing a lot of people saying they are feeling more stressed lately.

Now I am curious ….What do changes in nature have to do with moods? And I wonder…what is the difference that makes the difference that only some people feel stressed?

This week’s newsletter is on how seasonal changes may trigger stress and how to shift your state to staying healthy and happy.

I encourage you to read to the end for tips on how to quickly shift your state from stressed to relaxed, happy, focused, motivated!

You get to choose the state that is right for you – and show the world who you really are – your authentic self!

To Your Success,

Jacquie Nagy

World’s Leading Be Yourself Coach …Be yourself, everyone else is taken. Make the rest of your life the best of your life!

How Are Leaves and Moods Similar?

Have you been feeling more stressed lately with the changing of seasons? Nature is in a constant state of transformation. In autumn, with lower temperatures, drier air, and less sunshine trees respond by dropping leaves and going into a dormant state. Like nature – you are transforming too!

A BBC Health news article states, “Research from the University of Southampton found that most adults, at least 90%, experience subtle changes in moods, energy and sleep when seasons change.”

What is Stress Exactly?

John Grinder, Co-creator of Neuro Linguistic Programming (1970’s) defined stress eloquently in an NLP Practitioner course I attended in England. John said, “Being in a stressed state is an unconscious decision to accept pressure of everyday living as excess tension.”

Think of a time when you reacted to someone in a negative way. And at the end of the day you asked yourself, “Not again! I didn’t mean to say that or do that! What is going on?” Most times your state, which determines how you respond, is selected unconsciously. At the NLP course I attended, John elaborated further on how it is possible to create a partnership between your conscious and unconscious to quickly shift states using NLP techniques. Since learning NLP in 2008 I have been using NLP techniques every day and have enjoyed great results!

A Constant Stressed State Can Slide Into Apathy, Anxiety, and…

You may be feeling ‘stuck in a stressed state’ and thinking it is the everyday external stressors that are causing stress in you. Is this true? Or is it the unconscious choices you make when external stressors are outside your control?

“The problem is not the problem. The state that an individual approaches a problem is the problem.” John Grinder, Co-Creator NLP

When you are not paying close attention, being stressed can quickly slide into a default state of apathy, which can jump to feeling sad, and anxious. If you do not stop the progression of states can ultimately end in feeling depressed.

I am happy to share….there’s great news!!

You Can Train Yourself to Respond Differently

All bodymind states are physically anchored in your body. You may already know how physical activity helps you shift your state. This happens by changing your biochemical, physical and neurological systems where states are anchored. However, if you are avoiding regular healthy activity your body is going to physically hold on to a stressed state for a longer period of time.

The longer your body holds on to a state the more anchored the state becomes and the harder it is to shift state.

If you are curious about how to quickly shift your state come out to
my next NLP Cafe in December (more details coming soon!)
I will be demonstrating a fun exercise you can apply immediately to
help you shift states quickly.

And if you really want to learn more on anchoring and bodymind states
[and tons more techniques for improving your life]
you can attend the next upcoming
Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) course in January, 2014

Click here to find out about an amazing Big Discount Deal
If you can sign on the course by the end of November -
- you will love this deal!

Let’s be honest. Besides being stressed there are many, many other ways you can respond, right? The key to you understanding stress is to appreciate that stressors are generally external and you can choose to not accept the pressure!

I, like you, am exposed to massive external stressors every day. Lately, I am having to support my elderly father who’s health is changing rapidly. If I was to allow external influencers to stress me out I would not be able to support him, the rest of my family, my friends, my clients and myself! Knowing NLP gives me the tools to shift my state so I can cope under pressure many times throughout each day.

Some of my favourite ways to respond in any stressful situation are being curious, compassionate and congruent.

Being curious is a great state to be in. Curiosity leads to learning, empathy and personal growth.

Being compassionate reduces stress by getting you out of your own world and appreciating the world of another person.

Being congruent means reminding yourself of your intention and noticing whether you are behaving and acting appropriately. This helps you stay focused and present in the moment.

There are dozens if not hundreds of different ways you can respond besides being stressed, right? You just need to know how!

Looking for a speaker for your next meeting?
Contact me to find out more about my keynote presentation
“Your Brain On Stress”

Learning To Shift Your State More Quickly Is Key

Below I am sharing with you some of my favourite steps that work really, really quickly for you to shift your state and get back on the right track. At first it might look like a lot. Stay with the process. With practice these steps become really quick and easy.

Write these steps down on an index card, save on your desktop or smart phone for easy access.

Five Simple Steps to Shift Your State Quickly:

1. Notice when stress is coming on:
Whenever you feel stress is about to come on, you need to pay attention and notice the feeling. Noticing is an important ‘leverage point’.

2. Apply stress busting strategies at the earliest stage:
At the first sign of ‘stress’ feelings in your body acknowledge the feeling. Develop a rhythmic breathing pattern uniquely your own. Your first breath works like an anchor to activate the new state.

3. Insert a separator state quickly. Think of your day as chunks of many different states. Partition your states with a neutral separator state.

4. Activate a new state: Think on what state you want e.g. NOT stressed. Adopt the physical qualities of the state you want. As example, if you want to be more focused, your posture will be different than when you are stressed.

5. Recall and pay attention to your intention(s). State out loud or say quietly to yourself, “I want to….”

With state awareness, attention to your intention, and an ability to change state quickly you can flow out of a state of feeling stressed and into a state that is more authentic – happy, motivated, caring, compassionate, focused, energized, engaged, relaxed- any state that is a reflection of who you are – your authentic self!

Quick Tip
Knowing your intention is key to your success. If you do not know what you want (not yet maybe!) you may choose to work with me on defining your intention. When you know with certainty what you want in your life (and your business) you will find dealing with stressful situations and many other challenges far easier. Life will be more enjoyable and you will have less stress and likely more fun in your life!

Look Who’s Talking

“I just completed Jacquie Nagy’s NLP Course and I am completely blown away by the unexpected change in me that has taken place over the last few days. I walked into the course confident, receptive, interested; I walked out grounded, poised, purposeful. The NLP Course provided a unique learning experience with the opportunity to collaborate with peers, practice skills, and cement the learnings.”

Sharon Spann, Co-Owner, Integrity Partners Inc., Las Vegas, Nevada

Jacquie Nagy is an ITA Certified NLP Trainer, Coach (CBC), Professional Speaker (CAPS), Certified Adult Educator (CAE), and Owner of Holistic Directions Inc.,Winnipeg, Mb. Canada.

Contact Jacquie Nagy: +1 204.480.8667 e-mail jnagy@holisticdirections.com

10 Tips to Avoid Ending At The Starting Point

Posted on June 28, 2013 by jacquie

I’m back! Following nearly three months overseas travelling and living out my version of Joseph Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey” – I’m happy to be home in wonderful Winnipeg.

Looking out to sea in Cascais

I visited some amazing places…Amsterdam, Stockholm, London, and several cities in Portugal. I also discovered some ordinary places.

Soon after returning home, I noticed a sense of settling, tranquility and peace. It felt like being on the edge of falling into old habits, patterns of thinking, and performing.

Having come so far, I did NOT want to end up at my starting point. I needed to take action quickly!

“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” Joseph Campbell

The topic of my newsletter this month is how a “Hero’s Journey” can be a rewarding and life changing experience. And, if you are not paying attention you can end up right where you started.

At the end I share “10 Tips to Avoid Ending At The Starting Point”.

Join me at the next NLP Cafe Winnipeg, July 30, 2013. “Summertime NLP Self Coaching Tips, Tools & Techniques”. Limited spaces still available – grab your seat early to avoid disappointment.

What you do with what you learn impacts how your journey ends

People asked me, “What is life in Europe like?” I describe my experience living in Europe as, “Different”. Continue reading →

NLP and Relationships – Enhancing Your Relationships Using NLP

Posted on March 13, 2012 by jacquie

In this week’s interview I am going to be talking to a coachee and now friend of mine – Irina Mikhalitsina, FastStartCoach, NLP Certified Master Practitioner – who is going to be sharing with us her insights into using and applying NLP when it comes to her relationships – from a practical standpoint.

This is a short audio interview so just click on the link below to access the interview immediately.

[Interview] Enhancing Your Relationships Using NLP – with Irina Mikhalitsina >>

Doing Things Better With Anita Roddick – A Personal Story

Posted on March 6, 2012 by jacquie

It’s International Women’s day on March 8th – a day of celebration and sharing of love towards women in recognition of their economic, political and social achievements. For my newsletter this week, I thought I’d write about a woman who was a role model for me starting out in my own business, Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop.

I met Anita personally on a trip she made to Winnipeg when I was Sales Manager for The Body Shop at Home. Anita had the ability to motivate others through her endearing stories and down to earth work ethics. She was a leader who paved new roads in the cosmetics industry, was the first to prohibit testing on animals, and to promote fair trade. Since Anita’s passing in 2007, hundreds of thousands of women around the world will continue to benefit from the business paths she carved. I certainly benefitted from her company and am grateful to have known her personally.

You can watch and listen to an earlier interview of Anita Here >>

Anita Roddick was a mentor and a model to thousands of women around the world. She demonstrated how a woman with an idea, a willingness to put themselves out there and the tenacity to carry on when things got tough could be successful in business. She modeled how to be a savvy entrepreneur while maintaining the basic human and community values that she felt were missing in the corporate world.

Working for The Body Shop for eight years was an experience that I will always cherish. Those years were a launch pad for starting my own business. In 1996 my husband Robin was transferred to the N.W. Ontario town of Rainy River, pop. 1,000. Situated on the south shore of Lake of the Woods we thought it would be a wonderful place to live. Making the move meant being brave and taking a big risk as I had to quit a secure corporate career. At the time, I had a head full of business ideas and saw the move as a huge opportunity to start my own business.

Practicing a kinder gentler way of doing business …. get the whole story by signing up my newsletter >>

Do All Leaders ‘Walk the Talk’ When It Comes To Interpersonal Skills?

Posted on February 28, 2012 by jacquie

Leaders with highly developed interpersonal skills and strengths are more apt to deliver better financial results according to recent research at Cornell University. This recent study points out that soft skills such as “self-awareness” can be the difference that makes the difference in being a model of excellence in business.

Is there a voice in your head asking HOW do the ‘best of the best’ leaders perform consistently, day in and day out? What’s their secret?

Most leaders will attend at least one personal development course each year. However, marketing practices in the personal development industry are like bottom trawling for fish. Both use non-selective methods, casting a wide net in an effort to ‘catch’ anything that moves. Fish have no choice in the matter. Humans on the other hand can decide whether they want to jump into the net or keep swimming.

Too many options means deciding which choice is better can be confusing. Most people say they find one good seed with each book, CD, seminar or executive coaching session. However unless that seed is planted really deep where self awareness resides there’s little chance of any new growth occurring.

What if the secret was as simple as self application? What if by becoming acutely aware of how your own body and mind works and using select interpersonal skills you could activate the performance you want to be an excellent leader? How helpful would it be if you could design an authentic self leadership plan that works?

Learning how to be more self aware and using techniques to activate the resources you need to act excellently in any situation can be the ‘difference that makes the difference’ in your performance. Finding tools and techniques that when applied to self – work, means no matter what the context you will have access to more resourceful states to perform ‘on the spot’ with excellence.

How soon do you want to make a quantum leap to learn to be self aware, discover your authentic self and utilize state management skills that work for you ‘on the spot’?

Be daring. Be first. Be different. Be self aware. ‘Be Your Self Leader’.

Who Let the Dog Out?

Posted on February 28, 2012 by jacquie

Business owners ought to be aware of how important their state of mind is especially when the place of business is in their home.

Not long ago, I was sitting in my dining room in a deeply creative ‘flow’ state writing content for a new workshop. Without warning, I heard a loud “bark” and our 105lb Labrador Retriever went charging to the front door. Still in a deeply focused state I assumed it was my son, let the dog out and headed to the kitchen to start dinner.

Several seconds passed before I heard a man’s voice say, “Hello?”.

“You’re home early!” I shouted from the kitchen.

“HELLO!” The voice was unfamiliar and finally broke my state of concentration. Glancing around the wall to the foyer, I saw the person at the door was a delivery man, not my son! With a look of incredulity he said, “Your DOG just charged at me outside and won’t stop barking!”.

Realizing my error, I immediately begged forgiveness with a heartfelt “I am SO sorry”. Fortunately, the man was a dog lover and we shared a good laugh!

In future, before starting any project set an intention to stay aware of what’s occurring around you. Others will thank you for it!

A Mountain View for High Performance

Posted on February 28, 2012 by jacquie

When you think of athletes- are they operating in a conscious way when competing?

Take for example – athlete Canadian rower Adam van Koeverden – Gold medal winner of the 500m Kayak race at the 2004 summer Olympics in Athens.

Adam has maintained a status of excellence by winning19 World Cup gold medals between Olympics including every single 500 metre race. According to many, Adam was considered to be a ‘shoe in’ for the Gold medal in the 500m race and a strong contender in the 1000m at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
The Olympics are chock full of stories of surprise defeats. Adam’s story is a bit different being that he was the flag-bearer for Canada in Beijing. The media loves to report of a ‘curse’ on whoever carries the flag in opening ceremonies. And there is good evidence to support this notion of a flag-bearer’s “curse”. Decathlete Michael Smith (1992 Barcelona) was forced to withdraw with a hamstring injury, and figure skater Kurt Browning (1994 Lillehammer) finished a disappointing fifth. Charmaine Crooks (1996 Atlanta) ran to a disappointing 18th-place showing in the 800 metres, and moguls skier Jean-Luc Brassard (1998 Nagano) ended up fourth.

The job of carrying the Maple Leaf is assigned to only those athletes that are recognizable, respected and successful and 26 year old Adam fits the bill in all categories. Adam’s coach commented that it’s Adam’s hard work ethic and his ability to tolerate a lot of pain and discomfort that makes him a star.

So, what was going on between Adam’s conscious – unconscious alignment on a Friday in August 2008 in Bejing that lead him to an 8th place finish in the race he was expected to take home a gold medal in?

When interviewed after the disappointing loss, Adam was quoted as saying “Hitting the wall, being really tired is one thing. But watching guys I never lose to go by me, the first thing that went through my mind was, ‘What have I done?’ Crossing the finish line, I think I said it out loud: ‘What did I just do? Was I completely out of it the whole way? Was I hypnotized for three-and-a-half minutes?’ That’s what it felt like.”

Adam says that with almost every race, he doesn’t know if he can finish or not. That’s how hard he pushes himself out of his comfort zone.

The 2008 Olympics have very well taught Adam more about being an athlete than any other competition could possibly teach. A friend was quoted as saying, “Our time in the valleys helps us truly appreciate the views from the mountain tops.”

Be fortunate to have had some great mountaintop views in your life, and know there are more to come – nothing helps you appreciate victory more than failure.

Do All Leaders ‘Walk the Talk’ When It Comes To Interpersonal Skills?

Posted on January 24, 2012 by jacquie

Is there a voice in your head asking HOW do the ‘best of the best’ leaders perform consistently, day in and day out? What’s their secret?

Too many options means deciding which choice is better can be confusing. Most people say they find one good seed with each book, CD, seminar or executive coaching session. However unless that seed is planted really deep where self awareness resides there’s little chance of any new growth occurring.

What if the secret was as simple as self application? What if by becoming acutely aware of how your own body and mind works and using select interpersonal skills you could activate the performance you want to be an excellent leader? How helpful would it be if you could design an authentic self leadership plan that works?

Learning how to be more self aware and using techniques to activate the resources you need to act excellently in any situation can be the ‘difference that makes the difference’ in your performance. Finding tools and techniques that when applied to self – work, means no matter what the context you will have access to more resourceful states to perform ‘on the spot’ with excellence.

How soon do you want to make a quantum leap to learn to be self aware, discover your authentic self and utilize state management skills that work for you ‘on the spot’?

Be daring. Be first. Be different. Be self aware. ‘Be Your Self Leader’.

From Hassle to Harmony

Posted on January 24, 2012 by jacquie

When American songwriter Johnny Marks released The Most Wonderful Day of the Year, I was seven years old. It was 1964 and wow…what a year!

The Beatles made their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show and vaulted to #1 with their hit single “I Want to Hold Your Hand” launching the ‘British invasion’, the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup against Detroit and Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor married for the first time in Montreal.

And on June 13^th, with a smile and a thumbs-up sign, Nelson Mandela began serving a life sentence in prison. Before being taken away, he made a 28 minute speech which I read for the first time this morning. My guess is these closing sentences still resonate with many people worldwide decades later:

“I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

What caught my attention today, a few short days before ‘the most wonderful day of the year’ are Nelson Mandela’s kind words “all persons live together in harmony”.

Such a simple message, yet many people are saying how they are too busy, life is too hectic, and this time of year is one huge ‘hassle’.

If this rings true for you maybe it doesn’t need to be this way.

You can change your experience very easily if you want to.

Take 30 seconds each morning to set your ‘intention’. Several times throughout the day simply STOP what you’re doing and for 3 seconds pay close attention to everything around you. Remember what your intention is. Check inside. Do your thoughts and actions feel authentic and congruent with your intention? If not, you can easily activate a different state and decide to change what you’re doing.

And when you don’t know what state you want – give harmony a try…. then notice what happens next!

The Magic of Charisma

Posted on January 24, 2012 by jacquie

Like pure water, rich with rare minerals stored deep within a mountain’s core, the actor flows freely through the structures many caves, crevasses, and fissures and transforms into a nourishing river that delights all those that dare to dip their toe in!

Watch how some actors play their roles with incredible authenticity, that when you envision their past performance you see the character, not the actor. Feel the vibration of a premier dancer as she flows with grace on the stage, it’s like you’re dancing in unison on a spilling wave. Be so entranced by the sound of a master story teller’s voice and so deeply engaged in his story, your mind floats like a dream and time hangs suspended like a feather in the wind.

This is the magic of charisma, the unique and often indefinable characteristics of a person that others find immediately endearing and magnetic.

Consider the benefits charisma has for an actor, dancer or story teller to instantly charm their audiences with nothing other than their presence … the way their eyes see you … their unique mannerisms … their ability to suspend the sound of silence and capture your imagination. Why wouldn’t anyone not want to learn how they do what they do!

Researchers in the field of psychology say qualities like a happy disposition, poised physiology and an infectious personality are common traits of a charismatic person. If this is the case, it sounds too easy! We’d all be able to turn on the charm in a flash, wouldn’t we?

What about genetics? Can your family tree determine whether you are capable of developing charisma? Or, is it possible that anyone, at any age can easily learn to be charismatic?

Well, if you’re not a trained actor, and you weren’t born to parents that modeled charisma in your formative years, then how would you learn to be charismatic? Or if you are acting and haven’t yet found that star quality in your performance, do you wonder … what’s their secret?

While it’s true, charisma when measured up against technical skills and abilities is intangible, there is strong evidence to support the importance of developing charisma alongside other highly regarded intrapersonal skills such as emotional intelligence, self awareness, and authentic leadership.

Go search the latest job banks and you’ll find a growing number of employers are seeking candidates with highly developed ‘soft skills’ in their recruitment ads. One ad I saw recently for a national Marketing Manager listed ‘social butterfly’ at the top of the list of qualities for the position!

Your ability to be charismatic can lead to quicker engagement with your audience, a deeper connection with the people in your life and will differentiate you over your competition. Learning how to be charismatic could be a ‘magic’ skill that transports you to the other side of your dreams.

So now, you may be wondering…” Is it possible to learn how to be charismatic if I’m not already? Or, is charisma already in me and I just need to learn how to access it? ”

In my opinion – it’s both.

Knowing NLP, there are processes that can help you tap into your internal authentic energy stored within. Some people call this internal energy their ‘aura’. Guaranteed, everyone will have their own way of describing charisma.

This is mine: “Being charismatic is a ‘state of being’ accessed via an internal connection to your authentic self. When you discover your internal circuitry, put a new structure in place and learn how to access the connection, YOU ‘the actor’ can flow freely on life’s stage sending your charisma out to the external world.”

All in all, charisma is much more than being a happy person, having good posture or developing a charming personality. It’s the magic that means you stand out in the crowd. It’s you performing as the artist you aspire to be. It’s having an immediate and deep connection with your captive audience simply by being yourself.

It’s knowing who you are and what you want.

And, by knowing how to access your authentic charisma – You can be a star!