On Being Busy

If you ask someone how they’re doing, even a close person friend, their likely response will be “Good,” followed by the word “Busy.”

Being busy is not just the norm for most people, it’s also a badge of honor. We overschedule ourselves in order to feel like we’re on the road to achieving greatness, when in reality we’re hoping for affirmation from everyone else that we’re useful, valuable and appreciated.

My question for is, “Who are we trying to impress?” Are we actually filling our schedule with tasks that lead us to greatness? Do we even know what our highest calling is? Or are we too busy to even begin to reflect on our God-given purpose?

Make no mistake, I am not telling you to give up on being diligent. Diligence and hard work are necessary for us to achieve our greatest purpose in life. But we often mistake that purpose with someone else’s vision and fill up our time needlessly to please others. You must work diligently for your own personal vision, under your terms and conditions. That doesn’t mean you should refrain from being in service to others, but recognize that you cannot sacrifice your highest calling to suit everyone else’s needs.

You must also pair diligence with a time for relaxation and quiet reflection. To keep up your powerful momentum, you must re-fill your well through a contemplative practice like mindfulness and intentional rest. Remain diligent while also affording yourself a time to relax, and you will achieve greatness in every area of your life. 

One way to do this is to be in dialogue with yourself. Take time throughout the day to have a quiet conversation between yourself and God. In my videos, I show you how to engage with your deepest spiritual needs at any given moment. Ask yourself the following questions: Am I doing what my heart tells me to do? What is my energy level like in this moment? What do I need right now, so that I can be the positive reflection I want to see in the world?

If you can learn to be fully present to yourself, you can also learn to be present with others. I promise you, it will increase the positive dynamics of your relationships tenfold. Let go of the anxious, negative energy that comes with being too busy. Exude positive, confident and peaceful energy, and you will attract allies in your journey toward abundance and self-fulfillment.

Do this, and you’ll discover that you don’t need to fill up your schedule in order to experience abundance. It is has been proven that intentional leisure time is necessary if you want to stay creative and motivated. Keep your eyes on a more sustainable, long-term sense of satisfaction, that of accomplishing your life’s work. 

I’d like to end this blog post with a call to action that I believe can change the hearts of others… and yourself! Next time you ask someone how they’re doing, and they answer that they’re busy, gently engage them in a conversation. Ask them how they are besides being busy. If you do this, you’ll discover that that many people are not only eager to share the details of their lives with you, which allows you to connect more intensely with them, but they may also walk away from the conversation with a feeling that maybe… just maybe… there is more to life than “being busy.”

If you’d like to learn more about re-dedicating all of your energies to yourself, in a way that leaves you rejuvenated instead of depleted, please don’t hesitate in contacting me. My greatest hope is for every person, everywhere, to be able to pursue the life that was meant for them. Let me know if you’d like to start that journey today!

Mindfulness For Men

Mindfulness is often been seen as an exclusively female practice, because it fosters a less conflict-driven response to our emotions and our external world. As someone who teaches mindfulness to highly successful men- from CEOs to professional athletes- I’m here to tell you that such techniques can only strengthen your masculine identity. Some of the most elite individuals, from Steve Jobs to Kobe Bryant, actually credit their abundant success to the art of mindfulness. Here are all of the reasons why you should start practicing mindfulness today.

Focus

Mindfulness is not about getting rid of your thoughts, feelings, or perceptions. It’s about being consciously aware of what’s right in front of you, how you are experiencing it in the present moment, and reacting appropriately. For those in fast-paced, high-performance careers, mindfulness prevents your thoughts from wandering, keeping your mind laser-focused on the important task at hand. It’s no wonder Phil Jackson’s coaching methods include mindfulness. It’s what keeps your head in the game.

Leadership

Strong, impactful leaders like Richard Branson practice mindfulness every single day. It allows them to see the ultimate picture of success that goes beyond material wealth. Mindfulness elevates your energy to a higher vibration that allows you to guide your employees or teammates in a direction that benefits everyone. Think that kind of empathic leadership is too “soft”? Tell that to Steve Jobs whose authoritative energy was matched with a mindful attention toward others that got things done.

Mental Health

Depression, anxiety, anger issues and addiction are among the most debilitating emotional conditions that afflict men in high-pressure leadership positions. Without the self-mastery that mindfulness cultivates, you can fall victim to your own destructive emotions. A Heart Wall can form, preventing you from ever realizing your highest potential in your career and in your relationships. Mindfulness practice, however, is proven to help men react better to high-stress situations so that they tackle problems more wisely and effectively. When you master mindfulness, you master yourself.

Physical Well-Being

Stress-related illnesses impact male professionals at a higher rate than others. Heart disease, high blood pressure, headaches, obesity, diabetes and accelerated aging are all physical ailments related to poor stress management. Mindfulness not only lowers your stress, but will increase your overall physical health by preventing these fatal diseases. Professional athletes, including countless Olympic champions, practice mindfulness to maintain their peak physical performance. The most successful corporate executives also use mindfulness as a defense against mental burnout.

Peak Performance

Increased focused, strong leadership, a healthy mind and body… all of these are achievable through mindfulness training. It is necessary to develop the kind of masculine confidence that can elevate you from being the best in your field to the very elite.

Are you ready to get started? Contact me, Amy D the Peak Performance Expert , and we can begin that journey together.

What We Can Learn About Success From the Cubs' World Series Win

On November 2nd, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series, breaking their 108-year dry spell - which many believe was a curse! No matter what the reasons were for their championship drought, the Cubs’ epic World Series win can teach us important truths about leadership, dedication, focus and teamwork. All of these lessons can transform all of our past failures into history-making success!

Let Go of the Past

Many people would collapse under the pressure of finally achieving everything they’ve ever wanted at their fingertips- especially if the past has shown them that such high hopes lead to failure. The Cubs were able to transcend the ghosts of their past, the curses placed upon them, to do the unthinkable. They overcame the expectation that they would continue to lose, and instead focused entirely on their desire to win.

Cubs pitcher Mike Montgomery spoke about the overall vibe in the weight room after the ninth inning, when right fielder Jason Heyward brought the team together and told them to keep up the good faith.

“Everyone was fired up, and I didn’t expect that… I expected everyone to be frustrated, down on themselves, down on the team. We just blew a three-run lead in the eighth inning with two outs. The next thing I know, everyone’s like, ‘We got this.’”

THAT is the kind of mindset that allows for abundant success. You must mindfully let go of past defeats, even the ones that have just happened to you, so that you can focus on the present task: utilizing your God-given talents to achieve your highest destiny.

Visualize Your Success

For three games, Anthony Rizzo played the “Rocky” movies in the Cubs’ clubhouse to inspire his teammates. By doing so, Rizzo elevated his teammates’ expectations of what they could achieve. They could fully embrace their nickname the “lovable losers” knowing that, like Rocky, they would go on to fulfill their destiny as champions no matter what their obstacles were.

In my Youtube videos, I challenge people to visualize the things they desire most, so they can make those dreams manifest. The only way you can achieve everything you’ve ever wanted and more is by first picturing yourself as not only deserving that success, but relishing in it. 

Support Those Who Support You

Rizzo and Heyward’s actions show, without a doubt, that they value the roles that others play in their own success. That kind of positive energy- positive leadership- creates a ripple effect that will elevate the entire team or workplace into a higher frequency. Sharing one’s positive energy with another person actually creates an unstoppable momentum, an endless back-and-forth movement of positive vibrations- that can sustain us as we work to achieve greatness together.

Best Isn’t Good Enough

For the last 108 years, the Cubs have had some of the best and brightest players signed onto their team. They’re also one of the richest major-league baseball teams, and yet it wasn’t until 2016 that the Cubs were able to transform those incredible blessings into actualized success. It isn’t enough to be the best. Lots of people in your field can do that. You must take your greatest gifts and transform them into something better than the best. You must becomes elite.

If you’re a highly successful CEO or a professional athlete, you know this. There is always an untapped energy source that can be used for an elite purpose. If what I’m saying speaks to you in a profound way, we should talk. Reach out to me, Amy D the Peak Performance Expert, so you can take your game to the next level.

First Impressions

You don't always get a second chance at making a good first impression. We’ve all heard that before. And that impression is formed in a very short amount of time. Seven seconds, to be exact. This sort of snap decision-making process is a prehistoric leftover from a time when quick situational judgments could mean the difference between life and death. And now the human brain is hardwired to make decisions in this manner. But, how long does it take to form a first impression? And how exactly are we being evaluated?

Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist at Harvard University, has been researching the phenomena of first impressions for over a decade. She has determined that people ask themselves two quick questions upon meeting a person for the first time. "Can they be trusted?" "Are they worthy of respect?" The answers to these questions are determined in a matter of seconds.

Most people are taught to trust their intuition when it comes to gauging people they first meet. In the business world these first impressions are tantamount to success. These impressions are largely based on nonverbal clues. In fact, research has indicated that nonverbal clues are four times more effective than anything you can say. What are some examples of nonverbal clues?

Posture- status and power are often conveyed by a person’s usage of space.

Attitude- people can instantly pick up on attitudes and energies. 

Facial expression- smile! Make sure the look on your face reflects the outcome you want from the situation.

Handshake- this can be an indication of confidence and professionalism.

Eye contact- if you cannot maintain eye contact people tend to think of you as shifty, nervous, or just downright rude.

There are many more nonverbal ways to make a first impression. Do you need help honing your nonverbal skills so you can make a lasting first impression? I can help you channel your inner awesomeness, so you will be sure to convey strength and confidence and increase your awareness and intuition for receiving your own first impressions. Just reach out to me at amy@amyd.me or visit my website, AmyD.me!

Harnessing your innate inner power will help you make an impact and achieve the results you deserve!

Energy Assessments For Leaders

Most of us hold some kind of leadership position, whether we’re someone’s boss, parent, coach, political representative, or religious leader. But no matter what leadership role you play,  you must consider how your energy levels affect your leadership. The way your energy manifests itself not only impacts those who rely on your insight and guidance, but on your own longterm, sustainable success.

The fact is, you can’t be an effective leader- or seen as a legitimate source of authority, knowledge, or guidance- if you aren’t mindful of your own energy levels. In this essay, I will be providing an overview of the 7 Levels of Energy and the potential ways they might manifest. I’ve also chosen three archetypes from throughout our history, which might help you assess not only your energy level but perhaps the level of someone else.

Catabolic Energy Levels 1 & 2

Level 1 energy is marked by a “victim complex.” A sense of helplessness, fear of the unknown, and feelings of guilt plague the person with Level 1 energy. They often suffer from low self-confidence and avoid even trying to achieve their dreams because they believe they have no control over their own destiny. Learned helplessness and a despairing outlook often prevents those with Level 1 energy from ever being promoted to a leadership role.

On the other hand, Level 2 energy is where most people operate. It includes a self (us) v. other (them) mentality. Its leadership style is marked by a sense of competition, and tends to make gains through power plays. While Level 2 energy can be effective in achieving material success, it takes a spiritual toll. Level 2 leaders are often in conflict with everyone around them, including their loved ones, which ultimately limits their capacity for true abundance.

Anabolic Energy Levels 3 - 7

Level 3 energy can be an effective leadership style that utilizes the rational mind to creatively discover and implement the best practices for material and interpersonal success. Level 3 leaders are competitive, but see their success as reliant upon the productivity and motivation of others in their circle. They are great mediators and tend to value cooperation over conflict.

Level 4 energy takes this spirit of cooperation one step further. It is marked by a heightened concern for the wellbeing of others, and see principles of fairness and equality as more important than personal gain. Leaders who fall under Level 4 energy are often driven by utopian ideals of peace and equality.

Level 5 energy is characterized by an enthusiastic acceptance of all that life has to offer. Leaders who operate under this energy level often embrace life’s obstacles as opportunities for spiritual growth. They aren’t prone to an us v. them mentality, and those who serve alongside them find their optimistic, peaceful outlook to be deeply inspiring.

Level 6 energy belongs to those leaders whose level of insight encompasses not just their individual self or their immediate circle, but the entire whole of existence. Their creative vision is informed by the positive energy of everything they encounter, and more. For them, every day is part of an unfolding success story that goes beyond anything material.

At Level 7, one acts with a complete lack of fear. Nothing is considered impossible for those influential leaders who have tapped into Level 7 energy. They not only see themselves as participating in their own destiny, but are also prime movers of the destinies of others. They are truly a self-made force of nature.

Three Archetypes

Now that I’ve described some of the different ways that energy manifests itself in leadership, I’d like to talk about three important figures in human history who embody some of these energy levels.

Henry Kissinger:

Kissinger, as the former Secretary of State for both Presidents Nixon and Ford, consistently operated in Level 2 energy. He was a political leader whose policies were driven by what he considered the reality of world conflict. Kissinger worked within the conventional rules of war and peace, using hardline political strategy and coercion to protect the interests of his allies. His dedication to winning the game of international politics has made him simultaneously lauded for his achievements in the “real world,” and criticized for not having a higher vision for humanity. 

Like other leaders with Level 2 energy, he and his inner circle found success in the material conditions of the world, but his long-term positive impact remains ambiguous.

Mother Theresa:

Driven by compassion, Mother Theresa has Level 4 energy. She gave up a life of material comfort to be in service to the poor. She attracted global attention and admiration for her charity and her idealism, and indeed was so influential that her small congregation grew to include thousands of nuns and volunteers in over 100 countries. Her simple life’s duty to serve others became a call to action for people everywhere to follow suit. 

In the years after her death, she was criticized for not expanding her vision of compassion to include an end to human suffering. Nevertheless, she maintains her legacy as a true believer in her faith and her life’s goals.

Napoleon Bonaparte:

The military commander and political leader during the French Revolution, Napoleon oscillated between Level 2 and Level 6 energy throughout his campaigns. He was clearly conflict-driven, using military violence to stave off any threats to his power. Historians would look back on his achievements with a sense of ambiguity- was the political revolution worth all the bloodshed?

However, Napoleon’s vision for an entirely new global society was all-encompassing. While he was both loved and hated during his lifetime, his sheer genius and- most importantly- his ability to enact his destiny- made him one of the most astonishing figures in human history. 

Who Are You?

How you utilize your energy to influence and lead others is dependent on how conscious you are of these levels of energy. You must ask yourself, “Where does my energy level currently reside?”

Remember that catabolic energy levels 1 & 2 can be limiting. You may have your material needs fulfilled for the time being, but over time such energy will fail to provide the abundance your heart truly desires. By being consciously aware of your energy levels, and by changing it when necessary, you can find long-term, sustainable success.

Reach out to me, AmyD the Peak Performance Expert and Trainer, if you want to learn how you can alter your energy- so that you can be the most effective, focused and driven leader you can be. Sign up for an Energy Assessment today!