Change Your Posture, Change Your Mind

"We know that our minds change our bodies; but, is it also true that our bodies change our minds?" 

The above question was posed by social psychologist, Amy Cuddy, in her talk, Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are. The answer is a resounding yes! Science proves that standing in a posture of confidence--even when you don't feel confident--can actually increase your chance for success.

The reason is that high-power posing changes the physiological make-up of your brain. It increases your testosterone and decreases cortisol (stress hormone) levels. These hormone changes lead to feeling more confident, powerful, optimistic, assertive, less stressed, and increases your willingness to take risks...all in only two minutes!

Cuddy tells about an interesting study in which participants were asked to spit into a vile to measure hormone levels and then pose for two minutes in either a low-power pose or a high-power pose.

A low-power pose is a posture in which you make yourself "smaller." Hunching, folding arms, crossing legs and ankles, slouching, or any other posture that makes you take up less space are some common low-power poses.

A high-power pose is a posture in which you make yourself "bigger." Stretching out, crossing arms behind the head, extending the arms, standing with hands on hips, standing in a victory pose with arms raised over the head (like the one I included in this article which was taken after a personal victory of running my first 6-mile marathon), or any posture that makes you take up more space are examples of high-power poses.

 

After posing for two minutes, participants were asked to spit into a vile again. Here are the incredible results:

Testosterone levels changed:

High-Power Posers = 20% increase

Low-Power Posers = 10% decrease

Cortisol (Stress Hormone) levels changed:

High-Power Posers = 20% decrease

Low-Power Posers = 15% increase

Given the opportunity to gamble:

High-Power Posers were 86% willing to gamble

Low-Power Posers were 60% willing to gamble

(The increased willingness to gamble indicates that risk tolerance increases in high-power posers.)

Your body does change your mind. Your posture tells your brain you're either powerful or stressed. How can you benefit from this insightful research? When you need to pump up your confidence, do some high-power poses in private.

Raise your arms up over your head in a victory stance, stand with your hands on your hips--just make yourself bigger. It can give you the confidence you need to ask for what you want, help you to succeed in high-pressure situations, and give you the confidence to be your authentic self--and all in only two minutes!

This is just one of many simple yet profound strategies that can really change your life in amazing ways. Join me at the Whitby Courthouse Theatre on January 16th at 7-8:30pm and discover more strategies for living your greatest, most powerful life.

 

It's not too late!!!

 

Your Life, Your Design

 

Your Life, Your Design is the one program that will truly ignite the courage within you to live your best life. In this 90-minute seminar, you'll:

 

#1. Learn how to get from where you are now to exactly where you want to be.

 

#2. Release anything that's getting in the way of what you want to do, be, or have.

 

#3. Uncover your true authentic self.

 

#4. Gain the courage to live the life of your heart's desires.

 

#5. Free yourself from non-physical trappings, such as unhealthy thinking and negative belief systems.

 

#6. Let go of the fears that keeps you stuck and struggling.

 

#7. Uncover what you truly want and move forward into a happier future.

 

#8. Discover your purpose and gain true fulfillment.

 

Where? When? How Much?

 

This step by step journey to designing--and living--your best life takes place on:

 

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

7pm - 8:30pm

 

 

Whitby Courthouse Theatre

416 Centre St. South

Whitby, ON

 

 

Introductory Price

 

$49/Person

 

Or make two easy payments of $24.50/month

 

Please forward this message to your friends! In fact . . . 

 

When you purchase 3 or more tickets, we reduce your ticket price to

$39/person!

 

Mastercard and Visa are accepted

 

To Register:

 

Call 1-877-553-7397

 or

Email: operator@denisemarek.com

Forgot Why You Came?

Have you ever walked into a room with a purpose only to forget what that purpose was when you entered the room? We've all had it happen. University of Notre Dame Psychology Professor, Gabriel Radvansky, has discovered the reason why it occurs.

It's called an "event boundary." The doorway you walk through acts as a mental trigger to separate the thoughts you had in the previous room. It causes your mind to compartmentalize those thoughts making it difficult to remember why you entered the next room.

Understanding why things happen the way they do can help you to break through beliefs that are holding you back. For instance, think back to a time when you forgot why you entered a room. Did you jump to a negative assumption about yourself? Perhaps you said, "I'm so forgetful." Maybe you told yourself, "I'm getting old!"

Those kinds of thoughts are non-physical trappings that keep you stuck and struggling. Yet, now you know those thoughts were not true. It wasn't you that caused your mind to forget, it was the doorway! With the awareness of the truth, it becomes easier to drop the negative assumptions about yourself.

It's time to free yourself from thoughts and belief systems that are holding you back from living your best and happiest life. Join me on January 16, 2013 in Whitby, ON. Allow the doorway of the Whitby Courthouse Theatre to become an "event boundary" in which your daily, repetitive thoughts are filed away for an evening providing you with a blank slate for new decisions and actions--decisions and actions that will empower you to create your best life.

Until then, the next time you forget why you entered a room, be thankful for the mental blank slate the doorway has created; and, remember--what gets written on that slate next is up to you.

Over 50% Sold Out!!!

Denise Marek's new seminar also makes a meaningful gift idea for a friend, family member, or work party gift exchange, stocking stuffer, and/or a gift to share the joy of a transformed 2013!

Your Life, Your Design

Your Life, Your Design is the one program that will truly ignite the courage within you to live your best life. In this 90-minute seminar, you'll:

#1. Learn how to get from where you are now to exactly where you want to be.

#2. Release anything that's getting in the way of what you want to do, be, or have.

#3. Uncover your true authentic self.

#4. Gain the courage to live the life of your heart's desires.

#5. Free yourself from non-physical trappings, such as unhealthy thinking and negative belief systems.

#6. Let go of the fears that keeps you stuck and struggling.

#7. Uncover what you truly want and move forward into a happier future.

#8. Discover your purpose and gain true fulfillment.

Where? When? How Much?

This step by step journey to designing--and living--your best life takes place on:

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

7pm - 8:30pm

Whitby Courthouse Theatre

416 Centre St. South

Whitby, ON

Introductory Price

$49/Person

Or make two easy payments of $24.50/month

Please forward this message to your friends! In fact . . . 

When you purchase 3 or more tickets, we reduce your ticket price to$39/person!

Over 50% Sold Out!

Don't miss this -- Because this introductory rate is so low combined with the fact that theatre seating is limited to 160, you'll want to book today -- this life-changing seminar will sell out!

Mastercard and Visa are accepted

To Register:

Call 1-877-553-7397

 or

Email: operator@denisemarek.com

The Crystal Ball

Will YOU be poor and unhappy

or prosperous and joy-filled?

John Maxwell writes, "We need to understand that the value we place on ourselves is usually the value others place on us, too. One of my favorite stories is about a man who went to fortune-teller to hear what she had to say about his future. She looked into a crystal ball and said, "You will be poor and unhappy until you are 45 years old."

"Then what will happen?" asked the man hopefully.

"Then you'll get used to it."'

Maxwell goes on to say, "That's the way most people live their lives--according to what others believe about them. If the important people in their lives expect them to go nowhere, then that's what they expect for themselves. That's fine if you're surrounded by people who believe in you. But what if you're not?"

How you feel about yourself right now is largely dictated by past experiences. Positive past experiences, including receiving lots of love, being valued and respected, and receiving constructive criticism along with appropriate praise and encouragement—can lead to a positive, realistic view of oneself and healthy self-acceptance. You'll value yourself and believe you can do great things with your life. And, because you believe you can, you can!

On the other hand, negative past experiences such as being ignored, criticized, ridiculed, teased, or picked on regularly; and being surrounded by unrealistically demanding parents or teachers, can lead to a negative view of oneself, a lack of self-confidence, feelings of inferiority, and a great deal of self-doubt. When you are filled with self-doubt, dreams of creating a magnificent life will often be thwarted by the belief that it's not really possible for you. And, because you believe you can't, you can't.

Here's the good news. Actually, it's really good news: You no longer have to believe in the thoughts that hold you back. It's your choice to change those thoughts and begin believing in the truth that you are valuable and you are capable of designing and living your best life.

How? Become aware of your limiting thoughts and then consciously change them into more empowering truths. Using the fortune-teller example, suppose someone said to you:

"You will be poor and unhappy."

Rather than allowing those words to fill you with fear and despair, immediately change the thought. You could tell yourself:

"That may be true for some but it's certainly not true for me. Opportunity and prosperity meet me around every corner."

Start guarding against negative self-talk. You get to choose what you think. Fill your mind with beliefs that fill you with hope instead of fear. You are valuable; and your dreams and goals really can come true!

You deserve to live your best life. No matter who you are, where you are, or what you've been through, find comfort in the fact that it's not too late for you. You can move forward and transform your life forever!

Take the first step today -- choose to join Denise Marek as she presents her BRAND NEW power-packed presentation:

NEW!!!

Your Life, Your Design

Your Life, Your Design is the one program that will truly ignite the courage within you to live your best life. In this 90-minute seminar, you'll:

#1. Learn how to get from where you are now to exactly where you want to be.

#2. Release anything that's getting in the way of what you want to do, be, or have.

#3. Uncover your true authentic self.

#4. Gain the courage to live the life of your heart's desires.

#5. Free yourself from non-physical trappings, such as unhealthy thinking and negative belief systems.

#6. Let go of the fears that keeps you stuck and struggling.

#7. Uncover what you truly want and move forward into a happier future.

#8. Discover your purpose and gain true fulfillment.

Denise Marek's new seminar also makes a meaningful gift idea for a friend, family member, or work party gift exchange, stocking stuffer, and/or a gift to share the joy of a transformed 2013!

Where? When? How Much?

This step by step journey to designing--and living--your best life takes place on:

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

7pm - 8:30pm

Whitby Courthouse Theatre

416 Centre St. South

Whitby, ON

Introductory Price

$49/Person

Or make two easy payments of $24.50/month

Please forward this message to your friends! In fact . . . 

When you purchase 3 or more tickets, we reduce your ticket price to$39/person!

Don't miss this -- Because this introductory rate is so low combined with the fact that theatre seating is limited to 160, you'll want to book today -- this life-changing seminar will sell out!

Mastercard and Visa are accepted

To Register:

Call 1-877-553-7397

 or

Email: operator@denisemarek.com

The Top Five Regrets of the Dying

An Australian palliative-care nurse named Bronnie Ware spent several years counseling individuals during the last 12 weeks of their lives. During the time she spent with them, she compiled their thoughts into a book called The Top Five Regrets of the Dying. These top five regrets were:

#5. I wish that I'd let myself be happier.

#4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

#3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

#2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.

What was the number one regret of the dying?

#1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

Take that in for a moment. Individuals who only had 12 weeks left on this planet were most burdened by the knowledge that they hadn't lived a life true to themselves.

I believe that's what living your best life is all about. It's living a life true to yourself. It's about knowing who you really are—your dreams, your passions, your values, your likes, and your dislikes—and honoring that. It's about letting go of trying to be who everyone else says you should be and embracing who you really are. It's about speaking your truth—saying no when you mean no and yes when you mean yes! And that most certainly does take courage.

You deserve to live a life true to yourself. No matter who you are, where you are, or what you've been through, find comfort in the fact that it's not too late for you to live a life true to yourself. You can move forward and transform your life forever!

Listen to the longing inside you and take the first step today -- choose to join Denise Marek as she presents her BRAND NEW power-packed presentation:

NEW!!!

Your Life, Your Design

Your Life, Your Design is the one program that will truly ignite the courage within you to live your best life. In this 90-minute seminar, you'll:

#1. Learn how to get from where you are now to exactly where you want to be.

#2. Release anything that's getting in the way of what you want to do, be, or have.

#3. Uncover your true authentic self.

#4. Gain the courage to live the life of your heart's desires.

#5. Free yourself from non-physical trappings, such as unhealthy thinking and negative belief systems.

#6. Let go of the fears that keeps you stuck and struggling.

#7. Uncover what you truly want and move forward into a happier future.

#8. Discover your purpose and gain true fulfillment.

Denise Marek's new seminar also makes a meaningful gift idea for a friend, family member, or work party gift exchange, stocking stuffer, and/or a gift to share the joy of a transformed 2013!

Where? When? How Much?

This step by step journey to designing--and living--your best life takes place on:

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

7pm - 8:30pm

Whitby Courthouse Theatre

416 Centre St. South

Whitby, ON

Introductory Price

$49/Person

Or make two easy payments of $24.50/month

Please forward this message to your friends! In fact . . . 

When you purchase 3 or more tickets, we reduce your ticket price to$39/person!

Don't miss this -- Because this introductory rate is so low combined with the fact that theatre seating is limited to 160, you'll want to book today -- this life-changing seminar will sell out!

Mastercard and Visa are accepted

To Register:

Call 1-877-553-7397

 or

Email: operator@denisemarek.com

A Fresh Perspective

Gaining a fresh perspective by seeking another’s point of view can work wonders to calm a worried mind.

To get untangled from a web of uncertainty, sometimes all we need is to talk to someone else and get a second opinion. Gaining a fresh perspective by seeking another's point of view can work wonders to solve problems, create hope, and calm a worried mind. But be careful--while there are many benefits, asking for help can be a little tricky.

The tricky part is not so much the how--in fact, how to ask for a second opinion is relatively easy. It can be as simple as saying, 

"This is the situation I'm in, and this is what I think. How do you see it?" 

This uncomplicated phrase can open the doors of communication and set the problem-solving process in motion.

The tricky part of this process is the who. You must be very selective in deciding whose advice you'll seek. If you poke around in a beehive in search of honey, you just might get stung! Whether you choose a close friend, a colleague, a relative, or even a casual acquaintance, here's what you need to know before you ask:

• Seek honest and realistic feedback. Ultimately, the goal of requesting a second opinion is to engage in a constructive, solution-seeking, perspective-gaining conversation. Don’t just look for someone to reinforce the ideas that you already have; choose a person who will provide an honest and realistic assessment of your situation.

• Beware of your "worry-buddies." These are those people in your life who fret as much--if not more--than you do. Asking them for second opinions can backfire! Their feedback may create an even bigger synergy of worry and uncertainty, due to their uncanny ability to point out improbable pitfalls and unlikely dangers that you hadn't thought of.

You don’t need to eliminate worry-buddies from your life. They can provide a certain amount of support, but if that's what you're looking for, make sure that it's exactly what you ask for. Say something like: 

"I just want your reassurance that everything is going to be okay." 

Encouragement from a good friend can go a long way; however, there are times when you require more than that. When you really need a true assessment of your situation, consider seeking advice from someone who worries less than you do and is capable of providing objectivity.

• Avoid negative thinkers. Steer clear of asking these folks for their perspective on your circumstances. A "down" force can have such a strong pull that you might find yourself even more confused and frustrated than you did before you asked for a second opinion.

• Choose an optimist. The very best person to talk to is someone who balances the "honest and realistic" approach with a healthy dose of optimism. I'm not talking about someone who provides false flattery or misleading reassurance. I mean someone who chooses to search for the most hopeful view in any situation.

A fresh perspective can help you identify and challenge incorrect assumptions. A single idea can show you a way around what appears to be a dead end, and just a glimmer of light cast on a different angle can help you find hope in a seemingly impossible situation. When you need help solving a problem--even the dilemma of a worried mind--talk to someone else and get a second opinion.

New: One-on-One Coaching with Denise Marek

One-on-one coaching with Denise Marek gives you the opportunity to review all areas of your life, re-energize, reduce stress and worry, discover your purpose and reignite passion for life.

Benefits:

1. Become more focused, motivated, and happy personally and professionally. 
2. Shorten the time-frame to achieving your goals.
3. Remove the barriers that stand between you and your full potential.
4. Bridge the gap between where you are now and where you'd like to be.
5. Increase your skills and capabilities by leading you to make positive changes in your attitudes and behavior.
6. Provides you with self-assurance, support, encouragement, and inspiration depending on your needs and the situation. 
7. Confidence in knowing all matters discussed are 100% confidential.

For more information, email:

operator@denisemarek.com