The following is a press release for a workshop I will be conducting at the Fleet Science Center in San Diego on Saturday January 16, 2010.

San Diego Press Club Sponsors workshop to jump start your career:

Here’s a big idea to take very seriously: we can – and do -- send ourselves uninvited messages that may be negative or limiting enough to impede our lives and progress.

That’s the theory proposed by psychotherapist, author and television personality Dr. Adrianne Ahern, who will expand on this theme at “Snap Out of it - NOW!” on Saturday, Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park, sponsored by the San Diego Press Club.

“Ever have a goal that you can’t seem to attain or a habit you can’t break?  That’s because the hard-wiring of your brain is sabotaging your efforts and controlling your physiology, “ says Dr. Ahern.

Dr. Ahern’s “Snap Out of it - NOW” Four-Step method will help attendees remove barriers to reaching their goals, respond positively and effectively to change, reduce the negative impacts of a stressful life, and more. Her book will be available for sale. She will be assisted by clinical psychologist Marian Edelbrock, Ph.D, and Brandon Moreno, a Human Resource consultant and executive coach.

Reservations, free to S. D. Press Club members and, as a service to the community, $20 to non-members, may be made via www.sdpressclub.org, or by phoning Executive Director Terry Williams, 619-231-4340.  A complimentary continental breakfast will be served.

Let's see how your brain operates to discern subtle information.  Here are two videos of the same person. In one, he is telling a story which is true. In the other, he is telling a lie. I have the sound turned off, so just by looking at him, see if you can guess which is which. 

By the time we become adults, we're all unconscious experts at body language, so pay special attention to his eyes, his gestures, his breathing and see if you can tell who's the liar?

How many of you think that he's lying in the one on the right? 

How many think it's the one on the left?  

If you thought it was the one of the right, think for a moment, "why?"   

And, if you thought he was lying in the one of the left -- think of your reasoning for making this decision.

Okay.... so, now that you've come up with a very good rationale for your opinion, let me just tell you that the only liar in this situation is ME!  This guy in the video was actually reciting poetry, the same poem in fact.  But because I convinced you that one was a lie, your brain pulled itself together and gave you concrete, well-thought through evidence for one or the other.  You actually "saw" things differently.  

Pretty amazing, huh?

Let's see how the brain operates to solve problems...  If you want to experience this exercise, it is very important that you do not skip ahead and read the material below where you are at the moment.

I’m going to show you two sets of puzzles.  This isn't a test where you get graded on how well you do. But I want you to pay attention to how your brain approaches these puzzles. The first set is very easy and almost everyone can solve it with no problem. But, however you see it, don't worry about it. Just pay attention to your process. 

Take just a few minutes with this set of puzzles:

1) What common 3-letter word can go into every blank below to make another word?

                        NIS

S                        CIL

KIT                       

2) What number goes in the blank box so the 4 numbers in both sets total the same number?

The next set of puzzles is much more difficult. I've seen Mensa members who couldn't solve it. The problems may look obvious on the surface but they aren't. Even when you think you've got the right answer, you probably won't. But still just work on the problems and see what you come up with. And notice how your brain is trying to tackle them.

Take a few moments with these puzzles:

3) Cross off 4 letters in this word to come up with a vegetable:   

CHLORINE

4) A deli has 2 types of bread, 3 kinds of cheese, and 3 kinds of meat. Customers can choose one type of bread, one cheese and one meat for their sandwich.  How many variations of sandwiches can there be?

• 17
• 18
• 24
•  27

Now, think about for a moment how those two experiences were different for you.

Before we go any further, let me confess that the second set of puzzles was not really harder. Both of these come from an elementary school level puzzle book. But what happened to your ability to solve the puzzle when you believed it was impossible?

Science has figured out that repeated thoughts actually carve neuro-pathways into the brain. The thought becomes hard-wired into your brain. And when a thought is carved in like that, it doesn't just affect your thinking. It affects your entire physiology.  

For more info, call your local Public Television Station (click the link under the video monitor) and ask them about "Snap Out Of It NOW! with Dr. Adrianne Ahern."

Matt Liebowit, a journalist with the Rancho Santa Fe Review, the Del Mar Village Voice, and the Carmel Valley News, called me last week to interview me about my KPBS-TV Special and my recent return to full-time therapy and coaching private practice in Del Mar and Carmel Valley.  Matt's article came out today in all three papers.  I've copied a bit of it below and if you're interested, you click on the link at the bottom to read more!  I feel so grateful for the exposure to my work now that I am back home building my private practice.

Local psychologist Dr. Adrianne Ahern takes breakthrough ‘Snap out of it NOW!’ approach to national spotlight

By Matt Liebowitz


In matters of psychological health and well-being, often it’s the simple solution that warrants the most focus. Such is the case with the Dr. Adrianne Ahern, whose groundbreaking approach to psychology—simple and deeply scientific at once—is gaining widespread, national attention.


Ahern, a clinical psychologist who lives and practices locally, is the author of two books, Snap Out of it NOW! (2007), and Back in Charge, which came out in June 2009. Both books outline Ahern’s techniques of how to “rewire” the brain, as she puts it, to break out of conditioned habits and thought patterns and use the brain’s intrinsic physiology to achieve personal and professional success.


read more here....

My in-studio interview at KPBS on Saturday night was really fun!  Thank you to all of you who watched and to those of you who set your DVR or Tivo to watch at a later time.

If you recorded "Snap Out Of It NOW!" and didn't have the chance to call in to join or renew your KPBS membership, you can do that NOW! online by clicking here.  Make sure to select, "Snap Out Of It NOW!" in the "Search by Program" drop down menu and choose the "thank you" gifts you would like.

The DVD of the special is only available through pledging your support to KPBS.  And, remember that my second book, "Back In Charge!" was written to support the material offered in the Public Television special, so the combo package will be the best way to begin rewiring your brain to start supporting your efforts at self-improvement!

Wishing you focus, fitness, and flexibility in body and mind!

The power of your brain has much more effect on our health, wealth and general well-being than any external circumstance.  Most of us have it backwards because we haven't understood how the brain works -- and how we can consciously re-wire it to support our goals and desires.

Whether it's coming up with creative business solutions, increasing income, losing weight, or healing relationships, tonight's show, "Snap Out Of It NOW!" on KPBS-TV San Diego, Channel 11, at 7 P.M. will give you practical tools to get the wiring of your own brain to work for you, not against you!

Be sure to watch, or set your Tivo or DVR -- you won't want to miss it!


If you would like to become a member of KPBS-TV, or continue giving your support, please call in (Toll-free: (888) 399-5727) or go online and make a pledge!  Be sure to reference, "Snap Out Of It NOW!"

Feeling depressed, overwhelmed, frustrated, stressed out?  

Here's the a solution – Snap Out of It NOW!®. I will be in-studio at KPBS-TV on Saturday evening--that's tomorrow night!---answering questions about my new American Public Television special. 

Tune in Saturday August 8 at 7 p.m. on KPBS TV, San Diego Channel 11, to learn how you can get your efforts at self-improvement to start working for you, and unleash your maximum potential. 

Please remember to watch "Snap Out Of It NOW!" if you live in the San Diego area, and if not, please share this info with family and friends who do!

Learn how to make your efforts at self-improvement start working for you! Snap Out Of It NOW! puts you back in the driver's seat, gives you the tools you need to face challenges with confidence, and provides the key to unlocking and rewiring the brain so you control it instead of it controlling you.

Be sure to watch on August 8 at 7p.m. on KPBS-TV! 

Call in (Toll-free: (888) 399-5727) or go online and make a pledge to support KPBS, and make sure to reference "Snap Out Of It NOW!"

Show details:

Event: KPBS TV Special, "Snap Out Of It NOW! with Dr. Adrianne Ahern" "Face it or get chased by it!"
Date/Time: Saturday, August 8 at 7:00pm
Where: KPBS-TV Channel 11 for cable , but please check your local listing

Want to watch clips from this Show?  Click here!


Wishing you focus, fitness, and flexibility in body and mind,

 

The power of the brain has much more effect on our health, wealth, and general well-being than any external circumstance. Most of us have it backwards because we haven't understood how the brain works – and how we can consciously re-wire it to support our goals.

So many of us have been hit hard by this economy, and we are doing all we know to do to keep afloat and repair the damage to our lives. But all of our activity will be fruitless unless we get our brains on board.

The intrinsic power of our brains holds the key to surviving and thriving during these difficult times—not outside forces.

Though it's great to understand how the brain works, just understanding the science of the brain won't change your life. During my KPBS-TV Special on Saturday, August 8th at 7pm, I will show you how to apply this science through simple and practical tools designed to:

    * Reduce stress and relieve anxiety related to financial and career issues

    * Re-wire neuropathways that hold limiting or counter-productive beliefs regarding money, occupation, what is possible and impossible

    * Enhance creative problem-solving mechanisms and tap intrinsic wisdom to address current challenges

    * Reclaim our identity as strong, capable, and resilient

Reminder: Watch "SNAP..." on KPBS!

Please remember to watch "Snap Out Of It NOW!" on KPBS if you live in the San Diego area, and if not, please share this info with family and friends who do!

Learn how to make your efforts at self-improvement start working for you! Snap Out of It NOW!® puts you back in the driver's seat, gives you the tools you need to face challenges with confidence, and provides the key to unlocking and rewiring the brain so you control it instead of it controlling you.

Be sure to watch on August 8 at 7 p.m. on KPBS TV! Call in (Toll-free: (888) 399-5727) or go online and make a pledge to support Public Television in San Diego!

Show details:

Event: KPBS TV Special, "Snap Out Of It NOW! with Dr. Adrianne Ahern" "Face it or get chased by it!"
Date/Time: Saturday, August 8 at 7:00pm
Where: KPBS-TV Channel 11 for cable , but please check your local listing

Want to watch clips from this Show? Click here!


Wishing you focus, fitness, and flexibility in body and mind,
Adrianne

Move over Dr. Phil – Dr. Adrianne Ahern teaches you how to rewire your brain to confront life’s challenges for greater success and wellbeing.

Feeling depressed, overwhelmed, frustrated, stressed out? Clinical psychologist Adrianne Ahern has a solution – Snap Out of It NOW!®. Dr. Ahern, renowned for her pioneering work in developing human potential, has developed a breakthrough methodology to help train the brain to support optimal health, success, and wellbeing. Ahern can teach you how to rewire your brain to meet and conquer life’s challenges.

In today’s uncertain economic and social climate, people want to relieve anxiety, regain control of their lives and find positive solutions, but many are bogged down by years of negative conditioning. The proven Snap Out of It Now!® method, developed by Ahern during her over 15 years of private practice and organizational consulting, integrates the disciplines of psychology, psychophysiology, neurofeedback, and personal achievement analysis. Dr. Ahern provides unique strategies and concrete tools to rewire the physiology of the brain so it works for us, not against us.

The negative conditioning of our brains controls us, and sends us messages that have emotional and physiological control over us – it’s a powerful force that holds us back – but we can take charge and rewire our brains to unleash its power in positive directions. Dr. Ahern teaches simple yet powerful techniques to train the brain to support what we really want in life – more fulfilling careers, optimal health, and satisfying relationships. Her method helps us identify and rewire negative conditioning in order to meet life’s challenges with confidence, reduce the impacts of stress, and experience more energy and joy in our lives. Ahern, a respected bestselling author and national speaker, follows in the footsteps of great motivational gurus such as Leo Buscaglia, John Gray, Suze Orman, and Wayne Dyer, by launching her national television debut in the public broadcasting arena.

Learn how to uncover counterproductive brain conditioning, snap out of mental mediocrity and unleash maximum potential. Snap Out of It NOW!® puts us back in the driver's seat, gives us the tools we need to face challenges with confidence, and provides the key to unlocking and rewiring the brain so we control it instead of it controlling us. Filmed before a live audience, the interactive, fun and engaging Dr. Ahern will teach you how to breakout and breakthrough to reach your goals and enrich your life!

Be sure to watch on August 8 at 7 p.m. on KPBS TV! Call in (Toll-free: (888) 399-5727) or go online and make a pledge to support Public Television in San Diego!

I decided that to support Public Television and my pledge special I needed to do my best to spread the word and boost viewing numbers for the KPBS special on August 8th at 7pm.  To do this, I thought a flyer would be good to distribute at the talks I'll be giving over the next few weeks.  Also, I could post the flyer in various public places around town. Actually, my friend who owns the Pannikin Retail Store on Girard in La Jolla triggered the idea for this!


Having just returned to San Diego, I didn't have the resources I had in Nevada and I knew I didn't have much time to get this done.  So I contacted KPBS to ask them for suggestions and after a series of emails I ended up with a terrific company named EyeMotive (contact info below).  I love their work, their efficiency and their professionalism.  And, I love the flyer! What do you think?

Scott is a delight to work with and I highly recommend giving him a call should you need a graphic designer.  

Scott Birdsall

Creative Director

Eyemotive

949-645-4536

scott@eyemotive.com

www.eyemotive.com

Are you aware of what a powerful organ your brain is?  Do you know that it runs your entire physiology and determines the course of your life? Your brain is brilliant, efficient, and neutral. It will do its best to support whatever messages are carved into its neuropathways—whether they are positive or negative.

So, here’s the thing—if by repeating certain thoughts you have hard-wired your brain to believe that it's “impossible to make money in an economy like this,” “my industry is going down the tubes,” “we'll be lucky to survive,”. . .well, your brain is going to take the hint and realize that it is impossible to come up with creative solutions or innovative ideas – so it won't!

Now, the good news is that we can consciously re-wire our brains so that our conditioned beliefs and attitudes support us, embrace positive change, help us feel empowered in challenging times.  And when we feel empowered? We come up with brilliant ideas, effective strategies, innovative solutions.

So, ... how do we get there?  

Start by watching, “Snap Out of It NOW! with Dr. Adrianne Ahern” Airing Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 7 p.m. on KPBS TV - San Diego, Channel 11. 

Check out KPBS and their promotion of Snap Out Of It NOW! -- read what is being said about my work and my public television show!

"Move over Dr. Phil – Dr. Adrianne Ahern teaches you how to rewire your brain to confront life’s challenges for greater success and wellbeing.

Feeling depressed, overwhelmed, frustrated, stressed out? Clinical psychologist Adrianne Ahern has a solution – Snap Out of It NOW!®. Dr. Ahern, renowned for her pioneering work in developing human potential, has developed a breakthrough methodology to help train the brain to support optimal health, success, and wellbeing. Ahern can teach you how to rewire your brain to meet and conquer life’s challenges."

....to read more, click here!

Just got a call from KPBS - the public television station in San Diego - to schedule "Snap Out Of It NOW!" for their membership drive on  August 8th at 7pm! I am excited that my family, friends, colleagues and clients will be able to see my 90-minute pledge show, distributed by America Public Television, that we filmed last fall in Reno, Nevada.  Watch my show and discover why your efforts at self-improvement are not working! And, learn to rewire your brain to start working for you, not against you!

Show details:

August 8, 2009

KPBS San Diego, CA: Snap Out of it NOW! with Dr. Adrianne Ahern 90-Minute Pledge Special

Saturday evening  August 8^th at 7:00 pm (Check your local listing!)

Be sure to watch!  Call in and make a pledge to support Public Television in San Diego

Call 619-594-6983 or send an email to members@kpbs.org.

Toll-free: (888) 399-5727
http://www.kpbs.org/

Check out my new office -- click "play" on the image above and it will let you cruise around my office.  You can even zoom in to check out the books I read and the artwork on the wall.  Last week a few members of my web team, Darin and Lisa McClure, came to see my psychology private practice office.  In addition to teaching me a bunch of new tricks with my Twitter and Facebook accounts, they also took a bunch of photos of my new office.  Then using this cool new tool (for me!) called "Microsoft Photosynth" they showed me how to embed the link to all the photos right here into my blog.  So, you can check out my office - all the books, water fountain, my diplomas, etc..., and rather than imagine what it would be like to sit down with me, you can check it out for yourself before even picking up the phone to call for an appointment.

Check it out!


The office is centrally located in Carmel Valley next to the Ruth Chris SteakHouse, right off the 5 freeway and just south of the 56 freeway.  

NEW office address is:
11622 El Camino Real, Suite 100,

San Diego, CA 92130

NEW office telephone: 858-764-2422.

It doesn’t matter whether the direction or information your brain is given is TRUE or FALSE: your brain is totally obedient and activates all of your physical systems –your visual perception, your heart rate, your glands, your hearing, your emotions -- to act according to that direction or belief.

Your brain responds to external direction, but more importantly, your brain responds to your internal direction or beliefs. This internal authority will always over-ride the external. So for instance, if I tell you a puzzle is impossible, but your internal authority says, "Hey, I'm terrific at puzzles. I'll ace these!" that's the direction that your brain will follow. If I tell you that the puzzles are easy but your internal authority says that you are hopeless at puzzles, your brain will still respond as if they are difficult. This internal authority, these internal beliefs, whether you are aware of them or not, and whether they are true or not, run your life. These are your internal conditioned beliefs or your conditioning. It's this conditioning, this internal authority, that you need to re-wire in order to create the life you'll love!

Now, some of our conditioning is appropriate for certain times but destructive in others. Think about an automatic sprinkler system. It works great when all the settings are right. It just does its thing without your attention. But what if its settings are for winter: no water, 7 days a week? Great, during winter. Maybe even okay for spring. But once it hits summer, your sprinkler's settings are no longer so great. Unless you can re-set your sprinkler to deal with its new circumstance, your lawn is lost!

The conditioned beliefs you have had about career and finances may have been fine for normal economic times. "I'm not smart enough to start my own business" was okay back then. "This is the only career I'll ever be good at." Or "My broker will watch out for my interests" or "I could never live in a house with roommates" was okay back then. But circumstances have changed -- dramatically. It's summer. You may need to change your conditioned settings.

The good news is that we can consciously condition our brains to operate in directions we choose – to change its settings now that it’s summer.  

If this makes sense to you check out my new book “Back in Charge!” 

While doing some research for a talk I'll be giving at SeaHorse Capital at the end of this month, I came across some notes from previous talks that I thought you might find interesting -- about finding opportunity within periods of transition and crisis.

When John F. Kennedy claimed that the Chinese symbol for crisis also meant opportunity, he wasn't exactly accurate. But the concept he was describing is true. Within every seeming crisis, there is an opening, the possibility of something better to emerge. Open your eyes and your mind to give yourself the chance to see that opportunity for yourself.

Actor Harrison Ford once noted, "We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance. "

Darin McClure, social media Guru, and his lovely wife, Lisa, are in my
new office on El Camino Real teaching me all sorts of new and exciting
things about twitter, Facebook and more!  I'll be tweating from iphone.
Coming soon -- Dr. A Video Blogging!

I just received the below email from a Joe Parks, a subscriber to the Snap Out Of It NOW! e-newsletter.  FYI -- If you want to post a message on my blog, you need to have a google (gmail.com) or yahoo.com email account.

Message from Joe:

OOps. No Google acct yet. This is the comment I was going to add to your post about your move to San Diego.

Congrats on your move. I recently reread an earlier email of yours. Remarkably, a day or two earlier, I heard a similar message in different words when I was watching the tennis at Wimbledon. During a tennis-tip minute or some such thing, a coach pointed out that getting angry or sad after a bad sequence wasn't going to help a player. Furthermore, if the player tried to hide his anger or sadness, doing so would be completely unhelpful. Rather, the player had to find or develop something positive on which to focus. Otherwise, he was on the way to playing poorly because of his negative frame of mind.

All the best,

Joe Parks

We're always being told how powerful the brain is.  Nearly every day we hear on television how we can change our brain and change our life.  We are being told that our brain is plastic.

In my talks and workshops I demonstrate this power to the people in my audience – and I explain how you can consciously re-wire your brain so that it directs its power on your behalf. Scientists and psychologists call this hard-wiring, conditioning. I often refer to conditioning as "the internal authority," the neuropathways in your brain that tell the rest of your brain what to do!

So what is conditioning?  Click here and hear me tell a true story, "Free the Mohini," about the power of conditioning.

I want to explain to you why all of the effort you have put into self-improvement has very little chance of ever, ever working. You know the programs--you've tried the programs!

• Get thighs like Cameron Diaz in 30 days!
• Lower your golf handicap by 10 strokes in two days!
• Be debt-free and a millionaire within 6 months?
• 3 easy steps to improve your sex life!

You know what? Many of these programs are valid and could really be effective. Except for one critical point: your brain will reject them. Let me repeat: your brain will reject them.
Similar to the way a body will reject a donor organ that is not compatible, your brain – the most powerful muscle you have – will reject thoughts, ideas, or possibilities that are incompatible or foreign to it. Why? Because your brain is "conditioned." And, that conditioning holds the key to your success or failure.

(What's conditioning? Click here to watch a video clip: "Free the Mohini!")

So... how do we overcome this conditioning? Well, I'll tell you a couple of methods that don't work so well. One is affirmations. Now before you jump all over me, there are ways to make affirmative statements effective. But just plopping a happy, fluffy, shiny thought over a grimy, nasty, negative one does not work. That's like spraying your nasty gym shoes with Eau de Cologne – the stink is still there and the combination is almost worse!

Another method that usually doesn't work in the long run: will power. Will power has a stronger voice, but it still has to argue with the voice of your conditioning which is why it takes so much effort.

So enough about what doesn't work--want to know what does? Aligned focus works. Aligned focus means that your conditioning is aligned with what you want so that any action you take toward that goal becomes effective. You need to re-wire the neuro-pathways of your brain so that it uses its power for you, not against you.

You want to loose weight so you wire your brain with the message: "I'm naturally slim and healthy" not "I've always been fat!"  If you want to break the record in the downhill slalom, your brain needs to be aligned with that goal so it will direct the blood flow to the right muscles, deepen your breathing, let you see opportunities for cutting time, etc, etc. If you want to stop yelling at your kid, your brain needs to be on board to keep your adrenalin from flowing to your vocal chords when you find out she hasn't done her homework.  Does this make sense?

If this makes sense to you -- get "Back In Charge!" and start rewiring your brain so that it starts supporting all you want to do, be, and have in life!

Wishing you focus, fitness, and flexibility in body and mind!

Snap Out of It NOW! is now available in Audio


At the beginning of 2009,  just as I was putting the finishing touches on "Back In Charge!," I spent my evenings recording my first book, Snap Out of It NOW!  And, now it is available to purchase on my website store!  Just scroll down the page and click on the link: "Buy MP3 Audio Download."

Snap Out of It Now! will be your guide to do-it-yourself fulfillment — whether you want more self-confidence, wealth, love, or just more fun!

The Snap Out of It NOW! Method is ideal for people who: 

• Say yes to the wrong relationships

• Let stress cloud their judgment or block their career 

• Let anger lead them down the wrong path

• Fail at diets

• Lose ability under performance pressure

• Believe they are not good enough, smart enough, rich enough, thin enough, or young enough

“Back in Charge!” is in the bookstores, “Snap Out Of It NOW! with Dr. Adrianne Ahern” is airing nationally through American Public Television. I am moving my home and office in Reno, NV back home to San Diego! 

My real joy has always been to be in service.  Private practice will give me the one-on-one opportunity to guide and support individuals in snapping out of negative conditioned thinking and rewire their brains with more empowering thought patterns.

I have found a wonderful and centrally located office in Carmel Valley, right off the 5 freeway and just south of the 56 freeway.  

NEW office address is: 
11622 El Camino Real, Suite 100,

San Diego, CA 92130

NEW office telephone: 858-764-2422.

To check out the inside of my office, click here!

Uncover the beliefs that are holding you back!


Here's an exercise from my new book, "Back In Charge!," to help you start releasing that negative self-talk!

Begin to identify the conditioned beliefs, the specific hardwiring, that has been blocking your efforts to reach your goals and desires.  For example, some conditioned beliefs you may have about career and finances may sound something like, “I’m not smart enough to start my own business” or “This is the only career I’ll ever be good at” or “I’ve never been good with numbers.” As long as these limiting beliefs remain unconscious, they maintain the power to sabotage your efforts. Once they are brought to light of day, you can work with them using processes outlined in the chapters of “Back in Charge!”

Begin by listing goals and desires that you have and for each goal or desire, write about the efforts you have made in the past to achieve them and the results of those efforts.

Next, list all the limiting beliefs you have about each goal. Remember that your limiting beliefs may sound very true to you: “I can't find a relationship because all the good men are taken.” “I can't start that career because I’m too old.”

If you can't identify what the limiting belief says, how does it feel? To get to that feeling, imagine taking action toward your goal or remember actions you’ve taken in the past. Did staying on a diet feel difficult? Discouraging? As if you were depriving yourself of pleasure? Note those feelings. Often as you experience those feelings, the negative belief associated with them will surface. Once you can acknowledge the limiting belief, you are taking back control and getting back in charge of your life!

Through this exercise, you are beginning to identify the limiting beliefs that your brain is working as hard as it can to support!

Get Back in Charge!

If you don't define yourself for yourself, you will be squeezed into other people’s reality of you and eaten alive.
—Audre Lorde


Looking over my past few newsletters, I realized that I've been writing a lot about the troubling times we find ourselves in. The faltering economy. The real estate crisis. Record unemployment. All serious problems to be sure. So serious that it would be disingenuous to ignore them.

That said, none of these troubles are reason to put ourselves in a holding pattern or -- even worse -- regress to survival mode. And -- as regular readers know -- the brain is very good at convincing us to tune out hopes and dreams and focus on survival, if that’s what we are telling it to do!


The truth is, we’ve all faced difficult times in the past and we will all face them again. The trick is not to lose ourselves in the chaos of the moment, but to acknowledge the chaos we are experiencing, re-state the facts of our situation—don’t get lost in the story we are prone to tell—be proactive and, as many self-help gurus argue, “create our own reality.” It’s not easy, it does take practice, but those who succeed will reap the rewards of happier, healthier, and more creative lives.

For instance, I am well aware that the U.S. publishing industry is one of the most troubled sectors in business today. Still, I just released my newest book, “Back in Charge!” Sure, I could have shelved it until we saw more prosperous times, but I wanted to move forward in a proactive way.

I’m focusing not on all the reasons I shouldn’t be releasing a book today, but on the many, many reasons that there has never been a better time for this particular work. Case in point, an early chapter of “Back in Charge!” focuses on how anyone can -- like I did -- look beyond the negative and create a positive reality.

The first step is in realizing that we -- as conditioned human beings -- generally see what we expect to see For instance, if you are convinced that your boss is critical of your every move, you may be disturbed when she asks the simple question, “What time did you get in this morning?”
Immediately, your mind races. She’s not pleased with my performance. She thinks I am lazy. She’s always looks for the worst in me. Can I do anything right?

Sound familiar? Now think about the exchange. Your boss didn’t say anything disapproving, but the comment became negative in your mind because of your preconceptions. That’s the way the conditioning of our brains works, and it extends far beyond our perceptions of friends, family and colleagues. If you decide, for instance, that you will fail to achieve a goal or that you’ll fail to find a job that pays as well as the last one whether because of the economy, a lack of confidence, or whatever, be assured that your brain will help you fail.

What’s the solution? For starters, try this exercise from “Back in Charge!”

Make a list of things you desire that have always seemed out of reach. Now, pick the most inspiring one and instead of focusing on the negative, think about some of the reasons you might succeed. For instance, reference someone similar to you who has already achieved what you’re aiming for. You may not immediately convince yourself that the goals are achievable, but the more you focus on the reasons you can succeed, the closer you’ll come to actually doing it.

This is just one short exercise from “Back in Charge!” The 143-page book contains many, many more, each designed to teach you about your brain and the methods you can use to unlock its wonderful potential. Included with the book are two CDs packed with companion experiential exercises, so you can take what you learn and put it into practice in the car, at the gym or wherever you travel.

In these difficult and challenging times, let’s get “Back in Charge!”

Wishing you focus, fitness, & flexibility in mind and body.

I love this quote of William James, America's first psychologist.

“The world we see that seems so insane is the result of a belief system that is not working. To perceive the world differently, we must be willing to change our belief system, let the past slip away, expand our sense of now, and dissolve the fear in our minds."

You can become your own conditioner. You can get your brain supporting all you want to be and do and have. It's up to you!

Today, I rehearsed for a new ESPN show, SportsNation, airing July 2009. Host Colin Cowherd wanted to discuss overreaction in the sports world (in relation to the NBA Finals). The producer saw my Public television show and knew I counsel athletes and teams, so I took 5 minutes out of my day to chat with Colin.

A sample of the ESPN interview:

CC: What is it about being down 0-2 that makes it so hard for teams to come back?

Dr A: When a team is down 0-2 the players begin to recycle all the negative experiences they’ve had when they’ve been down. It takes something like MADONNA coming into that locker room and saying, “Boys, Be men!” Madonna appeals to their emotions—to their heart. And, when a team is down 0-2 it takes a lot of heart to turn it around…

CC: David Ortiz struggles this season has been well-documented. If Big Papi walks into your office - what would you say to him?

Dr. A: I’d spit in my hands, rub them together and say, “Big Papi, let’s talk!” Here’s how I work, we acknowledge what we’re going through. So, Big Papi what do you need to acknowledge?“ You see people don't want to acknowledge self-doubt, self-consciousness, or fear. They think that by ignoring, denying or avoiding these feelings they'll just go away, but they don't go away--they continue to build and eventually sabotage our efforts to succeed. What we acknowledge, we have power over. So, as I always say to my clients, "Face it, or get chased by it!"

Chatting with Colin was fun--hope the producer calls me back!

Exciting Projects

The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.”
Barbara Kingsolver

Dear friends,
I know that this month’s newsletter is a bit late. I have so many exciting projects underway that this is the first time I’ve had a chance to sit and write to you about them!
Some Website Updates

First, I’m in process of updating my website and just switched to a new web host for better functioning. Check it out and let me know what you think! There are a bunch of free downloads there for you – and many more are on their way!

A New Audio Recording!
Also, per my publisher’s request, I’ve nearly finished recording the audio version of Snap Out of It Now! It will be available within a couple of months via Amazon, my website, iTunes and through my publisher, Sentient Publications.

Snap Two Is Coming!
And, I’ve been burning the midnight oil writing my second book, Snap Two! This book is in response to requests and questions from many of you. It will include lots of exercises and a CD that guides you through them. My firm intention is to have it available by January, 2009.
Filming an Upcoming Snap Out Of It Now! Workshop In Reno

But that’s not all! (Do I sound like a Ginzu knife commercial?) We are working on a 4-segment production for public television that will be aired during pledge drives nationally in December and March. We’ve developed a fun and creative workshop format to present my work for this project – and if you can join us, we’d love to have you attend! The taping will be in Reno on September 7th. Go to my www.SnapOutofItNow.com for further details and to register. All attendees will receive a DVD of the production as well as an advance copy of Snap Two!

Clearly, I am very excited about my life right now! And I would like you to feel the same about yours. Honestly, I know that many of the opportunities I’m currently embracing would not be possible if I had not faced and worked through some of my own negative conditioning that was holding me back. Healer heal thyself? I’ve had to re-wire my brain and replace “I’m not good enough, smart enough, tele-genic enough, whatever enough” with internal messages of worthiness, preparedness, and openness. And in this process, I’ve learned to recognize and trust that “still, small voice” to guide me. My enthusiasm for the processes I present stems from having used them in my own life and seeing how wonderfully my life has opened up.

So I invite you to join me. Go to the new website and pick up your free downloads. Join us on Sept.7th in Reno if you can. Email me any questions you have about the processes.

I’d love to support you on your journey! I leave you with a quote from Dr. Jonas Salk:
“I have had dreams and I have had nightmares, but I have conquered my nightmares because of my dreams.”
Dr. Jonas Salk

P.S. I will be speaking at the Central California Women’s Conference (CCWC) in Fresno on September 9th, 2008! If you are able to attend, please make sure to find me and say hello!