Jack Black – Leadership Development – Personal Effectiveness

What a crazy start to the year it’s been!  The weather has taken its toll on business, finances, health, attitude, family, social activities, leisure, in fact on almost every aspect of our lives.

How has it affected you? Or rather how have you allowed it to affect you?

Your thoughts and self talk determine how you deal with day to day situations and indeed how you overcome challenges and move on.  Over the years I have been lucky enough to meet and work with successful people within the world of business, entertainment and sport.  Without doubt each and every one of them were positive, optimistic and solution orientated – you certainly won’t have heard any of them moaning about the weather!  On the other hand the vast majority of people particularly in the western hemisphere seem to think about what they don’t want, focus on the negative and fear success as much as they fear failure or rejection. 

So remember, your thoughts and your speech reflect your attitude.  Your choice of words reflect just how you think and what you think is what you get!  In order to be successful in life, it’s critical that you adjust your language and your thinking in order to stay positive and programme for success no matter what the weather or the economy is doing.

It’s half term time

So for those of you with families, this is one of the best times of the year for QRT (Quality Recovery Time) and just ahead of the rush towards the end of the year. It has also just gone harvest time, so what have you managed to bring in from the seeds of the goals you planted back at the start of the year?

This is a great time to enjoy a walk through the wonderful autumnal colours. Have a go at this, before heading out, get into the Alpha State to review the progress you’ve made so far. Think also about the expectations that you have for the end of the year. Without being concerned with the “HOW” question regarding how you’re actually going to win through, just be prepared to open up to your subconscious showing you the way by providing feedback through the walk itself, (if you did the Island then you know what I’m on about).
Just go out, enjoy the fresh air and look for signs.

Here are some more helpful tips that’ll help you make the most of your down time and gear you up for the inevitable return to work and the final push towards achieving your goals this year.

Access the Alpha State. Take time out of your day to purposefully relax – even if it’s just for five minutes. Find a comfortable position in a straight back chair and close your eyes. Focus on your scalp, then slowly downwards across your face, your forehead, eyes, cheeks, lips, tongue, jaw etc. Imagine a gentle wave of relaxation flowing down through your body all the way down to your toes.

Unwind with a your friends and family. Enjoy this precious time together, it’s priceless.

Take a walk. The colours are just fantastic at this time of year, get outdoors and explore the countryside. If you’re by the sea, go beachcombing and grab yourself some chuckies (from the Island)

Uncover a hidden talent. Try something you’ve never done before. Better still; experience it with your children or partner.

Make time to refocus on your goals pull out your Night Book and put it into use for the final push towards the end of December. Look forward to achieving your goals and really celebrate your achievements.

Note and record the best part of your day. Read your goals again before you fall asleep looking forward to something you desire.

A while ago we posted our first video promoting the next MindStore Transformation Event. It triggered a response from my good friend Bill Spear from Connecticut in the USA. You may recall me mentioning Bill to you before, I’ve always recommended his “Passage Retreat” and way, way back had the pleasure of introducing him to MindStore members in Glasgow and London when he presented workshops for us on Feng Shui before it became ‘sexy’.

Apart from kind and encouraging remarks he took the path of true friendship and pointed out that he’d noticed that it took until the very end before I smiled….and he was right.

At first, I rationalised his feedback by telling myself I was overly serious about my subject as I feel it’s really important and all I want to do is to encourage folks to explore the ideas and use our tools and techniques. However Bill is no ordinary friend and it’s hard to think of a more knowledgeable or enlightened one, so I asked if he had any suggestions to ensure I was genuinely smiling when recording these video clips. As you might expect, Bill is hardly inclined to use some cheap disingenuous trick to falsify a smile anyway, so his response was truly profound and something I feel I should pass on.

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “You are what you eat”. Well, here’s an interesting twist on that idea…

Bill Spear lives a macrobiotic life-style. Indeed 15 years ago, I had a serious illness; long before I was introduced to Lothar and the Stuttgart regime through Klaus Pertl. Back then Bill had recommended that I consider changing my diet in order to fight the condition as the medical treatment was not that attractive long term. I took his advice and embraced a macrobiotic diet for some time after that.

So, his response to my ‘smiling’ question was to remind me of the environment and the attitudes of the person preparing and cooking my food – initially I thought ‘what has this got to do with me smiling?’. He stressed he could never eat food from a “Gordon Ramsay style Angry Kitchen.” He pointed out how he’d gladly eat non macrobiotic food prepared with love by a welcoming host. He stated “Who wouldn’t want to eat a slice of Grandma’s Apple Pie?” He strongly suggested I took a closer look at my food and the journey it had taken to reach my plate.

So I did and WOW he blew me!!

With Bills emphasis on the cooking of food, reminding me of macrobiotics I was brought abruptly to my own reality. I travel constantly, indeed I’m writing this piece from a deli in an airport and so I have no idea and don’t really want to think about how the food was prepared or cooked. That accepted, I realised too that 95% of the food we eat at home is prepared and cooked by myself… Although my wife is a wonderful cook, I’ve always done the cooking – I really love doing it! But, here’s the challenge…Over the past 6 years I’ve also done my work from the kitchen table, we do have a lovely office at home but I just prefer spreading everything out on a large surface and using the laptop from there too.

I guess you can see where I’m going with this, not only am I cooking food in my “office” but very often I’m eating it there too. If the cooking environment is critical to macrobiotic beliefs then I suppose I have been in real terms swallowing my very serious business regularly for the past 6 years. I know too that I’m not the only one (given the ease of using a laptop). Who else has migrated out of the office space and into the kitchen?

Are you ready for another twist. Again, due to the demand on my time and just plain old convenience, I often buy food from the local supermarket (an award winning one at the end of our lane) rather than drive the half hour to where I can get organic free range produce. I do despite my macrobiotic past, eat meat, mostly chicken and very, very rarely red. I have however been, on reflection eating a fair amount of animal protein recently. Coincidently, I’ve also noticed that I have been fairly quick to anger, and with Bill’s help I now realise that macrobiotic beliefs point to animal protein more than likely contributing towards this, and it does make sense.  

I can hardly be committed to the Stuttgart Cancer Programme as I surely am without accepting the notion that emotions play a big part in illness and recovery. Roger Callahan’s TFT proves the point and justifies the link between body and mind and the widely accepted belief in cellular memory. Some of the work I’m doing myself with the quantum fields in health (which I’ll feature in the Transformation Events) absolutely proves this linkage. 

All of this got me thinking about the convenience purchases I make from the supermarket at the end of the lane. It doesn’t stock organic free range chicken. It does supply 4 packs, 6 packs and other multiple packs of industrially processed “plump chicken”. Without getting into all that obvious stuff I am now ashamed to admit that in my rush to pick up my food, I block out of my mind the horror of the birth, life and death of the actual chicken. No matter how good I get at doing that I can’t deny now that the cellular memory in those breasts is hardly made up of a contented, safe and happy life lived in relative freedom, but one I actually don’t even want to imagine. 

I’m prepared to accept now that I have eaten those cellular recordings and assimilated them into my body and mind but in future, I’ll be far happier to take the half hour drive to the organic store in town…
Food for thought indeed!

Keep smiling…I’m certainly giving it a go.

The Fourth Screen

Apart from all the breakthroughs that we’ve been working on and beginning to share on the Transformation events, one of our biggest leaps forward has been the Fourth Screen.

We now use it in all our programming.  It exists further to the left of the Future Screen where we create and revisit our Future Histories.

It came about through helping members speed up their results through acknowledging the benefits that come to others when you and I succeed with our programming.  It also blends in with the current and more recent excitement around the laws of attraction and gratitude that have been made more popular again.  Although, as you might expect by their very definition, they have been around since the very beginning.  When I started, it wouldn’t have worked to use the term “law of attraction” so I explained it then and have done since in the more understandable form which is Desire, Belief and Expectation.

To release the momentum of the Fourth Screen or the Consequences Screen as we also call it, add the following to your programming:

o  Once you have set up a Future History on the Future Screen, move further to the left and create a new screen.  In other words “the future of the future” and on it project the consequences for others when you succeed.

o  Through purposefully thinking of the positive impact your success will have on others, and more importantly the benefits that will come to them as a result, you will lift your vibrational imprint.

o All our more profound belief systems on the planet suggest that you and I are not here to take, but to give.  However there is abundance on the planet too.  You can and will attract the people, places and opportunities you need faster when you resonate with a commitment to the best for all concerned.

Remember we should constantly “go back to the future” now with an additional screen until our goals are achieved.

Keep smiling,

Jack

Back to the Future

Assuming you “get it” that is, you know in your heart that you must be on your guard for negativity, and that you purposefully do all you can to adopt a positive, optimistic viewpoint, then your greatest strength is your ability to programme and create the future you desire.

In MindStore we access the Alpha/Foundation State. We do this through our breathing techniques and our stress busting head to toe relaxation. We then having visited a place we associate with relaxation, bring our attention and focus to our mental screens.

You’d consider your goal or desired outcome then bring up your present situation on the Central Screen. Then move your eyes to the right to view the Past Screen and bring to your memory positive experiences and highlights that support the journey towards your goal.

For example:

If your goal is a new home, you’d remind yourself of the highlights and enjoyable experiences from previous homes on the past screen to the right.

o Having visited the Past Screen you make it go blank and bring your attention to the Present Screen.

o Accept your present situation from a place of gratitude, let it go blank then move your eyes to the left and your Future Screen.

o Decide on your goal or desired outcome. See, hear and feel yourself experience your goal achieved. At a minimum you’d want to fall asleep reviewing your Future History.

o Remember you must never, ever revisit the present or past screens once you have selected and programmed the Future History.

In addition you can add much more power to the programme by utilising the Fourth Screen, and as you’d expect that’s for another time….

Keep smiling,

Jack

Creative Problem Solving

Inevitably with MindStore we do this at the Alpha Level, “Foundation”, “Alpha State” and you know how to reach it.

We also want to use both brains, unlike anyone else who will only really use the left.  In MindStore we add the right, bringing intuition.  Some folks would claim that this also allows us to access “a higher power” or “universal consciousness” and certainly at a minimum we’re much more chilled and relaxed.

There are 4 steps:

1. Admit and accept

2. Analyse

3. Look for Alternatives

4. Focus on your preferred solution

With MindStore, of course we use the screens.  On the Central Screen we bring up the present where we acknowledge the “problem” and accept that it’s ours and that we can solve it.  Next we move our eyes to the right and on the Past Screen we do our analysis,  whose involved, where does it happen, when does it happen etc.  Having made a good study, we come back to the Central Screen then, we purposefully fade it to a blank screen.  We then move our eyes over to the left and on the Future Screen explore all the alternatives.  At the Alpha level, ideas, creativity and intuition will bring your awareness to a preferred outcome or solution.  Finally programme on the Future Screen the solution achieved.

We would then go about taking action to bring about the desired outcome.  Of course in addition, and in order to give real power we would use the Fourth Screen.  But hey, that’s for another time…

Keep smiling,

Jack

Instant Change

Your moment to moment attitude determines how far, how high, how happy, how fulfilled, how peaceful and how authentic you live and enjoy your life.

We live in a culture where negativity is so easy to indulge in and often without a realisation. Remember to be truly present; to be truly alive is to be truly aware. Step back and observe your thinking, your language, even your day dreams and without any sense of self criticism if you find negativity present then purposefully “delete that programme”.

I met a very successful businessman in London yesterday, a real rags to riches story; a guy who got this basic message 20 years ago while in a despairing situation and immediately committed to being the eternal “positive optimist”, his words.
“Delete that programme”, our catchphrase, commands that we immediately replace the negative thought, words or deeds with positive alternatives. Day to day, moment to moment, naturally being on guard for any infiltrating negativity and using “delete that programme” ensures you rise above it and go on to succeed.

Remember too the bottle of water being thrown around the stage. Every negative moment drains your energy. Life is too precious to live in with diminished energy.

Keep smiling,

Jack

The Three Fingers Technique and the Tip of the Tongue Trigger

Remember if you will, when you experienced whatever MindStore course you attended, and many of you have done every single one of them! (The original MindStore for Business, MindStore for Life, The Goal Setting Workshop, The Next Step, The Island, New MindStore for Business, The Best of MindStore, MindStore Masters, MindStore Transformation and The Line in the Sand Retreat…never mind all of the in-house varieties) 

In each and every one of them, we use the three fingers technique and the tip of the tongue trigger.  By using them during each Alpha Level/Alpha Sate/Foundation Exercise, you build up an association or “an anchor” with them and the alpha brain wave frequency.  This means we can use them at any time (and I do regularly, each and every day) to enhance clarity, awareness and performance.  For example, before an important meeting or interview, in fact any important event in your daily life. 

Once you’ve gone into the alpha state, and programmed your desired outcome you can move into the situation using the technique thereby keeping more of the Alpha Rhythm around and inevitably enhancing your performance. To not use them means that only part of your intelligence is present.  Personally, I genuinely don’t understand why folks who have these tools would not want to use them to be at their very best.

While out walking, driving your car, sitting on a train or plane, watching TV, at the movies, in the theatre, even shopping, playing golf, indeed almost everything that you can think of.  You can be much more relaxed, more in flow, more aware and more present while using the three fingers technique and the tip of the tongue trigger with intention.
MindStore Works, indeed “it only works!” 

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Make it work for you this this summer!

We’ve had some really enthusiastic input recently with old members asking for clarity on the use of some of the basic MindStore Techniques.  It seems to make sense to copy everyone in on the answers and to this end I propose to send you basic technique reminders from time to time over the summer.

I know that many of you “get the time” to revisit our material and start to practice again while lounging in the sun, particularly on holiday. I know I do with the more advanced stuff, and it’s a great time for experimenting. I trust this will be helpful and will inspire you to “think” about things from a better perspective.

“The Real Secret”, The Core of MindStore

While we have all kinds of wonderful techniques, and even quite amazing advanced stuff, the real magic to all of it is the Alpha State.  Think for a moment just how cool it is to be able to access it.  First to get there, you have to go through a process that dissipates your stress both physically and mentally. Second it gives you access to your right brain so immediately you have the benefit of being able to utilise your imagination, and controlled imagine in alpha is in fact intuition. This means better problem solving abilities, since you can really use both your left and right brain. Creativity is ripe there too, and of course the wonder of programming not to mention enhanced mental rehearsal and time shifting “back to the future” capabilities.

Whether you step onto the Right Bank and into your House with the Red Roof, or kick your feet in the sand at your beach on The Island, or pick up a Balloon from the quantum field, your ability to claim ownership of your life’s direction is yours to have and to expand.

So, find a comfortable position, place your feet on the ground, about shoulder width apart, knees over ankles, shoulders over hips, ears over shoulders, hands resting on your lap and thumb and first two fingers of both hands coming together.

Place the tip of the tongue behind your front two teeth and touch the roof of your mouth or on the curve of the palette.

Now take a big deep breath and as you exhale relax, take another deep breath and again relax, and take one more deep breath and as you exhale relax even more… (Alternatively use the 3×8 breathing cycle method) then breathe normally, lock onto peripheral sound and relax from head to toes or enjoy the “inner smile”.

Head off to a place you associate with relaxation, (I tend to use a beach that I know on the island of Nevis in the Caribbean).  After 30 seconds or so, focus your mind on whatever needs your attention.

“It only works”

Summer’s here!   I hope you are taking advantage of the additional opportunities that you have to relax and access your creative right brain.  Even when at work, commit to getting yourself outdoors during breaks  – a little sunshine will give your energy levels a boost and you’ll be much more productive when you return to your post.

 Here’s a wee tip:

Take a moment while doing anything (sitting at your desk, watching telly, standing in a queue, even driving your car) bring your three fingers together and the tip of your tongue trigger. Become aware of your breathing then scan your body from head to toe for any tension or discomfort. If you find tension anywhere, imagine breathing into that area of your body and you will find that you will relax deeper.

Practise this regularly and in a matter of moments you will find yourself in a far more relaxed place. Conserving your energy and able to focus better on what you are doing.

Keep smiling and enjoy the sunshine,

Jack