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.

Jump Start Your Career!

Choose to attend the San Diego Press Club's first event of the new year on January 16, 2010. 

I have been asked by the board of SD Press Club to help their members snap out of attitudes of doom and gloom  that their profession is going down the tubes.  I will be showing workshop attendees how to retrain their brain for success -- so that they can start seeing opportunities and creative solutions where they've been seeing only roadblocks and dead-ends.  

At this workshop you will learn how to turn your internal saboteur into a pep squad!  You will be guided in uncovering and changing your limiting beliefs, and unleashing your creative powers!  This workshop will be interactive and is geared for communications professionals.  Hope to see you there!

Details of Event: 
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Date: January 16, 2010
Location: Fleet Science Center, Balboa Park
Cost: Free to SDPC members, $20 non-members
To register, please email the San Diego Press Club directly: sdpressclub@cox.net

As I sit in my therapy and coaching office in San Diego's Carmel Valley, I acknowledge that at the end of my journey of writing books and producing a TV show, I have successfully rewired the neuropathways of my brain--no longer am I the panic-stricken speaker I was when I first began to public speak while doing a post-doctoral fellowship at San Diego's Mercy Hospital; no longer am I the doubt-filled writer that needed to leave San Diego to write her book without any distractions; and, no longer am I the intimidated and tongue-tied TV & Radio guest that I was during the first media tour back in 2006.  In my acknowledgment of this, I feel grateful that I am now in the position to work individually with others and help them break free from the limiting beliefs and attitudes that are blocking their efforts at achieving their goals.

On the beach at Kohala Coast Fairmont Orchid on the first day of the
Energy Psychology Seminar with Dr. George Pratt. In the photo, Dr. Pratt is muscle testing my new friend Joanne, after clearing an old negative pattern from her childhood that has been blocking her for years. Amazing stuff!

What is Energy Psychology?

Essentially, it is an emerging area of
psychology where anceint wisdom meets modern science. The work of Dr. George Pratt is an exciting blend of Cognitive Psychology and
Acupuncture. It offers an effective and efficient way to clear
anything off our brain's hardwiring that no longer serves us--e.g.,
those persisting negative thoughts & emotions that are the saboteur of
our goals. AND, this is why I am here -- to incorporate these
seemingly "too good to be true" new and effective tools into my Snap
Out Of It NOW! processes! I want to make it as easy and effortless as
possible for my clients to cleanse the old conditioning that no longer
serves them in order to wire in more positive and empowering thoughts,
beliefs, and feelings that support all they want to do, be, and have
in life.

Stay tuned! Today, I swim with the magnificent spinner dolphins of
Hawaii, who I anticipate may be my greatest teachers.
With an open heart,
Adrianne

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?

How many of you saw the moon-walking bear the first time through?
How does that relate to us right now? Well, if you’re conditioned to focus on how bad the economy is, how many businesses have closed in your industry, how many other people have lost money…well, that's what you are going to see. Your brain will not let you see the moon-walking bear or that unusual opportunity or that potential solution to your situation. But if you re-wire your brain—your internal authority—to start looking for the moon-walking bear, your brain will let you see it.  
Start confronting the limiting beliefs and attitudes that are holding you back from achieving all you want to have, do, and be in life!

The LA Times tackles “Job Stress.”  

In an article, “Sick of it” about how on-the-job stress is detrimental to your health, you’ll learn all the things you should “do,” to lessen the effects of on-the-job stress (e.g., take a quick walk around the office), or the things you should “not do” (e.g., don’t eat junk food), or the things you should “avoid doing” (e.g., consuming caffeine and simple sugars).  But what you will not learn in this article is what to do in-the-moment when the frustration, feelings of overwhelm or anxiousness flood your system and seem to take charge of your experience, making you “do” all the things you know you shouldn’t do!  What is missing is how to manage these emotions that trigger the unhealthy behaviors that keep us stuck feeling stressed and reacting in ways that do not serve us. Well, here’s a powerful and effective way to instantly get back in charge of your emotions.

The ABC’s of stress management:

1. Acknowledge the feelings of stress within you whether they are physical or emotional.  Maybe it’s tight shoulders or jittery stomach, maybe a feeling of anger or panic, or the inability to concentrate.  Simply acknowledge you are feeling stressed!).
2. Breathe with attention directed to the feeling wherever you feel it – allow yourself to experience it. Stay with the feeling (e.g., stiff neck, jittery stomach or frustration, impatience) and feel it.   
3. Cleanse that feeling from your physiology.  Again whether it is a physical or emotional feeling—use the power of your breath to release the feeling.  As you inhale slowly, acknowledge the feeling.  As you exhale slowly, release the feeling.  So inhale – acknowledge; exhale – release. 

Using these 3 steps of acknowledging, experiencing and releasing the feelings of stress, we will feel more calm, and when we are calm we will find ourselves thinking more clearly, making better decisions, and maybe getting the job you’ve always wanted!

When we don’t acknowledge and allow ourselves to experience the feelings of stress within, these feelings will continue to trigger unhealthy reactions—eating chips/cookies, drinking more caffeine, multi-tasking our way to anxious distraction, blaming our co-workers, and staying stuck in a life of reacting!  Learn to take charge of your emotions by turning toward them and letting yourself feel them (rather than “doing” something to avoid them).  We have been conditioned to believe that by facing negative emotions we will intensify them, but that it just wrong!  As I always say, “face it or get chased by it!”

I want to share a bit a feedback that I just received from a San Diego business woman about "Snap Out Of It NOW!" that aired in San Diego on KPBS August 8th:


"I was going through all the channels on Saturday evening and stopped when I saw your show on Channel 11 PBS.  I had not heard of you before.  I started Facebook about three weeks ago and started Twitter a couple of days ago and I signed up for both with you.  I would like to have a private session with you sometime in the future.  I sell real estate.  In this economic market, do you have room to schedule sessions for all 21,000 San Diego County real estate agents?  Ha, Ha.  Did you ever think of contacting SDAR--The San Diego Association of Realtors to put on a seminar.  Here is my psychological assessment of your program.  Assessment of you--I expected you to be intelligent so I will not mention that, but what came through on the television program and was most impressive was your "sincerity."  There is a new era coming soon in personal development and you are in the right place at the right time."

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!

Train your brain to support optimal health, success, and well-being! 

In my KPBS-TV special, "Snap Out Of It NOW!," airing Saturday, August 8 (that's tomorrow night!) at 7 p.m., I will show you how to rewire your brain to meet and conquer life’s challenges.  

Be sure to watch and call in (Toll-free: (888) 399-5727) or go online and make a pledge to support KPBS-TV.  Please remember to reference my show, "Snap Out Of It NOW!"

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,

 

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. 

From distracted frenzy to focused relaxation!

I want to share something that I experienced today that was very exciting and had a particularly grounding effect on me.  I met with my friend and colleague, Dr. George Pratt, at his private practice office in La Jolla, CA (on the Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla Campus).  George, knowing that I just moved my home and office from Reno, NV to Del Mar, CA, suggested that I might benefit from a few energy techniques that he writes about in his book, "Instant Emotional Healing."   I eagerly accepted his offer and we spent the next 20 minutes doing some deep breathing, some unique movements with my hands, and some muscle testing.  I came into his office feeling pressured and tense due to the hectic schedule triggered by my desire to get settled "FAST," -- and I left feeling confidant, focused and relaxed.  Not surprisingly, I moved through my day feeling focused and filled with a sense of calm.

I want to recommend George's book to you if you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious or doubtful, fearful, and not living to your fullest potential -- or maybe your experiencing a transition that is setting off feelings of frustration and irritability.   Pick up a copy and let me know what you think!

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/

I love this Buckminster Fuller quote, as I feel it speaks to the need for each one of us to accept ourselves fully and ask the question, "How can I best be in service to life itself?"


"Everyone has the perfect gift to give the world - and if each of us is freed up to give the gift that is uniquely ours to give, the world will be in total harmony." 


I am always asking myself, "How can I best be in service to others, life, and to my unique purpose?"  
I am and will always be a practitioner -- receiving joy from working with the individual in achieving their highest potential -- however, working one-on-one reaches only a small amount of people. Therefore, I am grateful for the opportunity to have written, "Back in Charge!:  A guide to harnessing the power of your brain to create the life you'll love."  Some of you may know exactly what your gift is and how you want to offer it to the world; others of you who may not be so clear--your conditioning may be getting in your way of discovering your unique gift.  For you, I encourage you to pick up a copy of "Back in Charge!" and bring your conditioning into alignment with what you really want!

Our work life is the source of much of the satisfaction or dissatisfaction within our lives. It not only provides the income for our basic needs but also shapes what is possible in the rest of our life. It is an arena that can challenge our minds and test our relationship skills. It is usually one of the main ways we define who we are. And when we want to, or are forced to, make a change, it can be wrenching. But there are ways to make such a transition smooth and positive. 

Listen to my radio interview this morning on "The Career Clinic talk show" which airs Saturdays at noon Central on WZFG, AM 1100 The Flag, in Fargo.  You can link to live audio of the show at www.am1100.tv.

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. "

As I move my clinical and consulting psychological office back home to San Diego, my friend, Renee, Process Improvement Coordinator for the Scripps Green Hospital and famous book artist from Escondido,  recommended a book that I should read as I prepare to return to working within the Scripps Hospital culture.  This book, "Why Hospitals Should Fly," not only defines the changes needed to arrive at a "culture of safety" within our country's hospitals, but it is a really good read! 

Get a copy today and start reading the story of St. Michael's, the fictional hospital used by the author, John Nance, to show what a culture of safety looks like in hospitals. St. Michael's transformation to a culture of safety should be the model for our hospitals today! 

I am reading this book as I want to understand the current challenges presented to healthcare employees as they face the enormous changes required in creating a 'culture of safety' within their own hospital.  Did you know that nearly 90,000 people die from hospital acquired infections along? (This is the number currently estimated by the CDC.)  As Nance illuminates for us in his book, the problem is not one of expertise or resources, it is one of relationships.

I look forward to reconnecting and working in collaboration with my Scripps friends, and doing whatever I can to facilitate this cultural transformation.



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

Adrianne

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

5 Magic Minutes

I'd like to give you a tool that can literally improve your health, calm your stress, and increase your mental clarity within five minutes. I'd like to teach you how to breathe. Does that sound boring?

Let me share a story.

Two monks, master and student, walked along a path, returning to their monastery after several hours of meditating high in the Himalayan Mountains. The student complained to his master, saying, “Breathing is so boring!” Without a word, the master grabbed his student by the neck, pulled him over to a nearby stream, and plunged the student's head beneath the rushing water. He kept him under water for several seconds, as the student kicked and squirmed. Finally, the master yanked his student’s head above the surface and asked, “Now, what do you have to say about breathing?"

Obviously, as the master reminded his student, breathing is critical to life. But proper breathing is also critical to physical health, emotional well-being, and mental clarity. It is crucial to the process of re-wiring your brain. Our ultimate goal in learning to belly breathe is to be able to take 1 or 2 full belly breaths and instantly feel relaxation fill your body and clear your mind.

Okay, let’s get started.

Without consciously changing how you breathe, place one hand on your chest and one hand over your belly button. Notice which hand moves more as you breathe. If you are belly breathing, the hand on your belly will rise as you inhale and fall as you exhale. If you are chest breathing, you may find the opposite to be true.

Without consciously changing how you breathe, place one hand on your chest and one hand over your belly button. Notice which hand moves more as you breathe. If you are belly breathing, the hand on your belly will rise as you inhale and fall as you exhale. If you are chest breathing, you may find the opposite to be true.

Stand with your knees slightly bent and relaxed and hold your tailbone slightly tilted forward. If this is difficult then sit with your back straight (not stiff) and use a pillow to support your lower back with feet flat on the floor. Sit tall with your chin slightly tucked in. You may even lie down if sitting is uncomfortable.

Relax your jaw and allow your tongue to gently touch the roof of your mouth—this is a great tool for your jaw clinchers when under too much stress.

Relax your belly. Just let it be.
Often our desire for a firm tummy or a fear of a “Buddha belly” may make it difficult at first to just let it fall naturally.

Now, bring awareness to your breathing. I invite you to close your eyes—this will help you focus inward and quiet the world outside.

Notice any tension you feel.

With your hand lightly placed over your belly button, inhale slowly and deeply through your nose into the bottom of your lungs. Imagine the oxygen filling your lungs. Your hand on your belly will rise with each inhalation. Your chest should move only slightly as your belly expands. It may feel awkward at first. Don't worry. Just continue until you feel your belly expanding with the inhale and collapsing with each exhale.

When you feel like you're getting the hang of it, take a full breath in through your nose to the count of 4. Imagine the oxygen filling all lobes of your lungs.

Exhale slowly and fully through your mouth so that it lasts 6 counts. Feel your breath being released from your body and feel your hand on your belly lower.

Now…pause briefly at the end of the exhale.

Never tighten your belly in order to make your exhale last longer… Keep it relaxed. Simply slow down your exhales.

As you exhale allow your whole body to let go and relax. Visualize your arms and your legs going loose and limp like a ragdoll.

Breathe 10 slow balanced deep belly breaths: 4 counts on the inhale and 6 counts on the exhale. Keep your breathing smooth and regular, without gulping in a big breath or letting your breath out all at once. Smooth and balanced.

If you feel light headed or anxious during this practice, stop for a 30-60 seconds and then start again.

Let’s begin breathing:

Inhale: 1…2…3…4, and exhale: 1…2…3…4…5…6…pause…1…2…3
Inhale: 1…2…3…4, and exhale: 1…2…3…4…5…6…pause…1…2…3
Inhale: 1…2…3…4, and exhale: 1…2…3…4…5…6…pause…1…2…3
Inhale: 1…2…3…4, and exhale: 1…2…3…4…5…6…pause…1…2…3
Inhale: 1…2…3…4, and exhale: 1…2…3…4…5…6…pause…1…2…3
Inhale: 1…2…3…4, and exhale: 1…2…3…4…5…6…pause…1…2…3
Inhale: 1…2…3…4, and exhale: 1…2…3…4…5…6…pause…1…2…3
Inhale: 1…2…3…4, and exhale: 1…2…3…4…5…6…pause…1…2…3
Inhale: 1…2…3…4, and exhale: 1…2…3…4…5…6…pause…1…2…3
Inhale: 1…2…3…4, and exhale: 1…2…3…4…5…6…pause…1…2…3

How do you feel right now?

Since belly breathing may be new to you and because your body is taking in more oxygen then it is used to, you may feel light headed or even intoxicated at first. Your body is adjusting to the greater amount of oxygen. You can try again in 30-60 seconds after the feeling has subsided and start again.

Now, open your eyes and stretch your whole body as you feel your body refreshed, rejuvenated, alert and fully alive.

You can extend this breathing exercise by doing 2 or 3 sets of belly breathing. Five full minutes of
belly breathing will have a profound effect on reducing the feelings of stress and anxiousness and allow you to experience increased energy, creativity and mental clarity.

Practice this. Most of us find that our breathing shifts back to shallow chest breathing when we become doubtful, anxious, fearful, or when our minds go into mental overdrive. But practice makes permanent! Thus, when you notice you are entering one of these negative and distracting emotional/mental states, check your breathing and shift to the deep, calming, and energizing state that results from belly breathing.

If you haven't already signed up for my newsletter, please do so and download an audio recording of me taking you through the above practice!

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

The Facts. Period.

Even without understanding the neuroscience of the brain, you can experience how to harness its power through this simple, practical exercise…

Oftentimes, especially when we’re under pressure, we get carried away by our conditioned reactions. For example, say I find out that my next GET BACK IN CHARGE! workshop has only 14 people signed up so far. "Oh, my gosh! Only 14 people! Obviously, the word isn't getting out. My PR people must not be doing their job. Or maybe the sponsors. Or maybe the word is getting out and nobody wants to come. I've spent all of this time and effort to put this together and nobody will experience it! What's the matter with people? I get paid thousands of dollars to speak but now that I'm offering something for free, nobody shows up. Or maybe what I have to offer isn't really valuable. Maybe. . ." Can you relate?

An event happens and our internal conditioning takes off and runs with it!

Well, try this. The next time you hear news or experience something that usually throws you into reaction (anxiety, anger, uncertainty, fear), PAUSE, restate the facts of the situation, and add a forceful "period" to the end of it. Don't allow your brain to speculate or follow its normal path of anxious thoughts. Just state the facts neutrally, then say "period." "Twelve people have signed up for my workshop so far. PERIOD."

Try this out for yourself: "I can't pay my morgage this month. Period." "The company lost an account this week. Period." "Home prices in San Diego are at an all time low. Period." By cutting off your brain's typical dialogue, you reclaim your place of choice. You'll find yourself responding to life's situations more creatively and positively. And you'll feel better!

Sticking to Our New Year Resolutions

We’re barely into the New Year, yet how many of us have already abandoned our New Year’s resolutions?

Dear Friend,

I have worked with many people over the years, and have struggled myself, to begin and sustain an exercise program or follow through on other healthy goals. We know that it’s good for us and we yearn to experience the sense of accomplishment we know we’ll feel — if we could only stick to it.

Year after year, we hear great ideas—for exercise programs, making more money, for better relationships and better sex. And year after year, the same great ideas are offered again. Why? Because most of us never followed through on them in the first place.

If the desire for change is there and these ideas are good ones, why would we not follow through?

Because until you confront the hardwiring of your brain—e.g., exercise is “too boring,” “too daunting,” “I never have the time,” “I’ll deal with it tomorrow!”—you won’t be able to rewire your brain with more empowering and motivational thoughts. You’re fighting an uphill battle against thoughts that reject the very behavior you want to adopt.

But whatever your negative hard-wiring, the process below will help you rewire your brain to support your New Year’s goals:

Let’s use the example of “It’s too boring to exercise.” “Boredom” is not a truth but simply an attitude that has been hardwired into the brain. It is the emotional and physical state of zero-energy. In boredom, you tend to focus on what isn’t, not on what could be.

Four easy steps for rewiring the brain that take just seconds to do:

1) Acknowledge your brain is hardwired with the state of boredom.

2) Experience the physiology of boredom in your body—e.g., low energy, low motivation, body has no energy and doesn’t want to lift a finger to do anything.

3) Restore your energy by breathing into the sensation of boredom. Breathing is the quickest way to build energy.

4) Focus your attention on the areas of your body with no energy—brain, torso, legs—and as you inhale and exhale imagine your breath going in and out of these areas. You will immediately feel more energy.

Visualize your brain cells laying down a new pathway for new energized and motivated thinking. Cleanse the old negative thought (e.g., “Exercise bores me to tears!”) from the brain in the moment it arises by acknowledging it and breathing it out of your physiology. Visualize this old thought being cleansed from your brain as a new thought (e.g., “As soon as I move, my body will feel nurtured and energized.”) creates a new neuropathway.

Great! So you were able to get off the couch for on exercise session. But how will you sustain your new exercise program?

Acknowledge it will be difficult and there will be relapses: you may slip back into boredom, you may begin to doubt that you can sustain it, you may go back to your thinking that “the process will take forever so why try.” But who cares if you have to start over again? Several “first” days of your exercise program still equal several days of exercise!

Remember the Bill Murray movie, What About Bob? Baby-steps are the answer. It may take a year to program this new behavior into your brain so that it becomes your default behavior. So don’t get discouraged!

Keep a clear image of “what will be” – how great you will feel and look; how much energy and strength you’ll have and what new, exciting activities you’ll be able to do.

Eat & Drink: you need to eat to have the energy to exercise and drink tons of water to hydrate your body if your exercise program is vigorous. When you are thirsty your body is already 75% dehydrated!

Keep yourself encouraged by doing fun things for yourself. Whenever you do something for someone else, do one thing for yourself.

To feel a sense of accomplishment remind yourself: “I am doing it and I am on the path to do more of it!”

Many of us need help to accomplish our goals. There is nothing wrong and everything right with:
Reaching out to a buddy to whine and complain, and receive support.

Hiring a personal trainer (or mentor for whatever you are trying to accomplish): My mom (80 years old in 2008) only works out because she loves laughing about how much she “hates” working out with her personal trainer!

Connecting with your higher power and reaching out for help to sustain you in those times of darkness.

I leave you with a few thoughts from America’s first psychologist:

"Of all the creatures of earth, only human beings can change their patterns. Man alone is the architect of his destiny…Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.” –William James

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

Adrianne Ahern, Ph.D.
Performance Consultant, Keynote Speaker, and author of Snap Out Of It Now!
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