đ„Weekly Mind Sweep #51 | Manage Your Mind | Change
IL; RI (Itâs longer; Read it)
Week 49: Curated Conversation: Change
Week 50: Mind Your Business: Change + Business
*Week 51: Manage Your Mind: Change + Brain Science/Health
Week 52: Contemplation: Whatâs On My Mind: My thoughts on Change.
Current Collaborations
What happens when two business owners with big hearts and quirky brains get together?
An inspired, innovative collab that'll have you thinking about your biz and client experience in brilliant new ways.
Join me (biz ops strategist and brain geek), and Kate Hollis (conversion copywriter and shameless nerd) for a FREE online event called:
"Think Twice: A Conversation About Neurodivergence in Business" on
Friday, January 13th
Free LIVE event
We're going to dig into the GIFTS & CHALLENGES of Neurodivergence in Business! And discuss ways to support yourselves and others.
This LIVE event will take place in the Chickbook Creative Facebook community, so join here if you haven't already --, and we'll see you at 12 pm on Friday the 16th! (Lunch and learn, anyone?)
Now, letâs sweep the brainâŠ
Four years ago, a friend introduced me to Intermittent Fasting.
On the surface, I thought it was the craziest thing I had ever heard of doing. Like you, I had a life eating three meals a day, and breakfast was "the most important meal of the day"
(Later, I would learn that breakfast meant to "break" the "fast.â)
Each day, I was learning more about the idea of fasting and how my body worked, I decided this could be the lifestyle I had been looking for, to achieve the success I wanted. Plans in the past of counting calories and restricting things I loved had yet to be successful for me.
A new mindset, identity shifts, and habits must happen for this goal to work. Therefore, I needed to make a conscious effort to change.
Identity is not a fixed construct.
To create this new habit of eating differently from everyone in my life, I needed to rewire old neural pathways in my brain and create a new response to triggering situations. (I.E., people sitting down to eat three meals a day)
This process required mindfulness and conscious awareness of my behaviors and patterns at the very moment they occurred. Initially, it required that I think about when I eat, not necessarily what I was eating.
This awareness would allow my brain to shift and use small steps towards my goal of identifying as an intermittent faster. Later, I would learn that what you also eat matters, but it naturally progressed there on its own, one step at a time.
Changing subconscious habits into mindful actions.
I had to have a deeper awareness of the subconscious inner workings of my brain. Then, train thoughts towards positive circuits to slowly develop this new habit over time.
Surprisingly, through this process, I learned:
Eating three meals a day was a subconscious habit. I'd been practicing this behavior for so long that I hadn't taken the time to consider if it was suitable for me and my body.
A deeper awareness of my body and feelings of hunger. I'd question myself, "is this hunger or boredom?"
Through fasting, I also learned about Topo Chico. It's plain seltzer water, but it's known for its carbonation and helping your stomach tell your brain itâs full. My next mental shift and habit would be that if I felt hungry, I would drink a Topo Chico and wait 20 minutes. Then, I would break my fast and eat if I still felt hungry. Most of the time, my mind would forget the thought of hunger, and my fast would continue.
We do have a choice.
We decide if we rely on our subconscious habits or our higher brains. Through this daily practice, I learned:
It wasn't actual hunger that my brain was telling me.
What needing to eat actually feels like.
What to fuel my body with.
In the first year, I lost 50 lbs and five pant sizes.
It was a lifestyle change that became easier for me to achieve by taking small, actionable, daily steps. I shaped the path toward this new lifestyle. Remember The Elephant, The Rider, and the Path back in Mindsweep #29?
I was learning and becoming more conscious about my body and food. As a result, I began identifying as an intermittent faster. Along the way, I rewarded myself, forming a positive response in my brain to my work. I felt better. I began to move about the world with more confidence, a clearer head, and fewer physical symptoms.
Neuroplasticity is responsible for both habits and change.
Regardless of your opinion on Intermittent Fasting, I share my story as an example of the steps of change toward shifting my identity, rewiring my brain to think differently, and success in reaching goals.
Also, as proof that the more you do something, the more comfortable your brain gets with the new habit. Now, I only eat one meal a day and that is my normal.
This process will rewire your brain to achieve your desired change, goals, and results. In life and business.
Was it easy? No.
Was I perfect at it? No.
Did I go through this change alone? No.
Did I have people around me supporting me? Yes.
Was I more successful by taking small steps each day toward my goal? Absolutely.
You can do it. Are you ready?
Thank you for being a part of our community.
Where to find me
EVERY MONDAY: 8 am - Curated Conversation - Zoom
THINK TWICE Live: Collab with Kate Hollis. Friday, January 13th - 12NOON - Chickbook Creative Community. Are you NOT A MEMBER YET?! Join the group here.
MISS MY VOICE? Check out recent podcast episodes.
What Iâm reading
The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times | Michelle Obama
C.O.M.E O.N! Letâs get to work.
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Now. â Time to act.
Catalyst for Change, Jamie Chapman.
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