I might be overstating it, but those negative thoughts and stories that surface in your mind when a project fails… are sapping your energy!

When you take control of your thoughts, it’s easier to take the next step. You call back your energy from the negative feelings and take laser-focused action on the project, or problem in front of you.

Recently I spent a 4-day workshop with Mr. Energy himself…Tony Robbins.

One of the most powerful questions he posed to us was…

“What if life was not doing it TO you, but doing it FOR you?”

That reframe hit me between the eyes.

I felt the tightness leave my body.

I could see possibilities.

The ‘problems’ I am familiar with felt like opportunities… because I felt in control, rather than things being out of my control.

There are many strategies to change your thoughts.  In this post, I am focusing on the practice of ‘reframing’.  Reframe the story you tell yourself when things are tough.

I learned this practice from a friend of mine who was going through a very difficult time with a child.  It was tough.  I was overwhelmed just hearing about it.  I could not imagine having to deal with her situation.  And yet, she helped me reframe the situation by reminding me what the word means.

Overwhelmed is a state where we lose the capacity to meet the demands being placed on us.   

I had often used the word ‘overwhelmed’ whenever I had a lot to do and felt pressed for time with the urgency of family needs while trying to be on top of things at work.

When I say to myself, I am overwhelmed, I am done, I can’t do anymore.

I say it ➡ I think it,

I think it ➡ I feel it,

I feel it ➡ I believe it

I believe it ➡I am it.

I’m done!

I haven’t said or thought that word since I came to understand the power it had on me.  Once I realized the power of negative words, I am constantly on the lookout for other words, that are so common in our conversations but have energy sucking consequences.

Productivity, getting stuff done, motivation, it relies on the available energy you have and how you direct that resource.

In future articles I will offer time-saving strategies and practices that can improve your efficiency.  But in my view, if you are plagued with a mindset of negativity, no amount of tips and tricks will give you a sense of peace over the work you accomplish in a day.

What energy sucking words or phrases have you used today?  Do any of them sound like these:

😟  I can’t meet the deadline.

😧  I don’t have the resources to do things right.

😓  I don’t have the talent or know how for this project.

Once you identify the words/phrases that suck your energy, what can you reframe to leave you feeling lighter today?