Feeding our Consultant Souls

We're all phenomenal entrepreneurs who have much to contribute to our clients and others in our lives. Because we often work independently, we don't always have our own cheerleading squad to keep us positive and reinforce our confidence and sense of self-worth. We need it, too, and while it's a role we often must play for our clients, for some reason, it's not always easy to do it for ourselves.

The goal of this article to help us find ways to feed our consultant souls and reinforce our self-esteem and confidence. Armed with greater optimism and "up" thoughts and feelings, we can do more fantastic projects than we might have ever imagined and feel happier doing so. Our self-talk and our subconscious minds are essential to this process.

Here are a few tips you can use to stimulate your sense of well-being and self-worth.

First, catch negative or self-deprecating self-talk. We all do it. Start by becoming aware of when you're taking value away from yourself. Be on alert for the little voice that says things like "Why would they hire me?" "I was just a small cog in the wheel." "Why would they listen to what I have to say?" "I'm feeling low today… I'll just delay getting started on things…"

Do you recognize any of these comments or variations on this theme? When you do, tell yourself, "Thanks for sharing. I have a different vision. And it is _______." (You can fill in the blank based on what's appropriate in your own situation.) Try wearing a rubber band on your wrist for 30 days and use it to reinforce this message. When you hear your voice whispering doubts, fears or discouraging thoughts, snap it against your wrist. A little pain can help stop negative thinking quickly.

The second action we can take is to identify anywhere from one to five empowering statements and say them at least twice a day. To give the statements maximum impact, write each on a 3" x 5" card-one statement to a card. Write each statement in the present tense and make it positive. For example, say "I am," rather than "I want to be." Say "I breathe fully and easily," not "I quit smoking." Write each statement or affirmation as if you've already achieved your goal. Also, make it something that engages your emotions, stirs your blood and resonates with your heart and soul.

After you have written your statements, read each one aloud (yes, really). Then, read each one silently. Visualize and feel each statement fulfilled. Write a little movie script that embodies it and get all your senses involved. See, feel, hear, and smell it.

Then, carrying your emotional responses forward, say each statement another time aloud, visualizing it.

Repeat each statement three times-twice out loud and once silently. Do this in first thing in the morning and then at night before you go to sleep. Let your subconscious revel in these affirmations, and watch how they feed your soul.

To get you started on your own daily affirmations, here are a few examples. Feel free to personalize them, or create your own.

• I am glorious-a woman of great style and confidence!
• Rejoice. I live in bliss!
• I have so much peace of mind.
• I am healthy, and I'm grateful for my health. I feel great!
• I add so much value to other people's lives and businesses.
• I deserve to be prosperous and happy. I am prosperous and happy.
• I am a beautiful, loving person.

The third step is to display gratitude. Acknowledge when you feel particularly good or when you are embodying one of your statements. Relish the moment. Repeat your statement and revel in it. After all, what gets noticed and rewarded gets repeated. Affirmations have importance and power.

Do this every day for the rest of your life. Over time you'll replace original affirmations with new ones, based on new needs and current achievements.

If your inner voice says, "This is hokey," respond with "Thanks for sharing." Then, do this exercise every day for the next 30 days or-even better-for the next 90 days. Watch what happens and share your success stories with others. I believe you'll be astounded at how much this simple practice can positively change your life.

© 2007 Strategic Marketing Solutions. All rights reserved.

Author Bio

Deborah Siegle (www.marketingsolns.com) leads Strategic Marketing Solutions, a marketing consultancy that provides decision makers with marketing, product, and customer satisfaction strategies, execution, and feedback. For more information, contact Deborah at (650) 654-2737 or dsiegle@marketingsolns.com.