What would you like to change in your life? Be more focused
at work? Communicate more effectively? Find work-life balance? Those three
questions were in the introduction email review request I received from
Blogging for books for Habit Changers- 81 game changing mantras to
mindfully realize your goals by M.J. Ryan. My answer to all three
questions was yes! Is your answer yes to
one or more of those questions too? Then this book may be for you.
About Habit Changers-
81 game changing mantras to mindfully realize your goals by M.J. Ryan:
“Often, the biggest obstacle to change lies in our most deeply ingrained
habits: those automatic thought
processes that operate outside our consciousness, and yet have a profound
impact on our behavior, shaping everything from how we respond to challenges to
how we engage with others.
The good news is that we can literally rewire our mental habits for the better. In Habit Changers, executive coach M.J. Ryan shares the secret weapon that has helped her highest performing clients improve their focus, better manage under pressure, enhance their emotional intelligence, become more effective leaders, and more.”
Inspired
by the Buddhist tradition of Lojong,
or "slogan practice," habit changers are simple, one-line aphorisms that, when recited, reprogram your brain’s
automatic responses. Here, Ryan explains how to use the 81 Habit Changers
that have demonstrated the most profound and lasting results. They include:
- You can’t say yes if you can’t say no
- Don’t push buttons that don’t need to be
- Handshake your fear
- Stand where you’d rather not
- Remember your highest intention
- Outsource your worry
- Reach for the better thought
My Thoughts:
Even though I’ve never used slogans, or mantras to improve
my life or work goals, I was open to the idea of trying a new way of improving
myself. As soon as I received this book, I flipped through the table of
contents and landed on the chapter for happiness. I think I’m a pretty happy
person, so I was intrigued at the idea of learning something new.
The two mantras under happiness are:
- Reach for the better thought
- Change it, leave it, or accept it
According to the How
to Use Habit Changers chapter, I was off to a great start. The author, M.J.
Ryan explains to begin you are to scan the
table of contents which are grouped together by the issues they address. Pick
one topic, (like I picked happiness)
don’t pick ten, or even two! It’s the single-pointed focus that makes this work
says M.J. Now- this is the tricky part, stay with the phrase that
resonates the most with you, adapting it so it feels right for you and your
situation. Turn it into a question if you need to. There is no right or wrong way here. Just
stay focused on one key mantra before you move on to another.
Exploring:
As happy as I am- or thought I was, I’m still on the
happiness chapter. Folks- this is deep stuff that is working! I’m allowing myself to analyze my work/life
balance and ask myself tough questions like is what I’m doing today is truly making me happy? That’s me
reaching for the better thought and fully exploring the change it, leave it, or
accept portion of this chapter.
Final Takeaway:
I feel confident in saying that while this book isn’t to be
read or used in the traditional read chapter one and move forward style we are
accustomed to, I will read and utilize every page in this book this year
because I want 2017 to be a good year in ALL aspects of my life.
Connect:
M.J. Ryan states that our capacity to change is our greatest gift as human beings. Habit
Changers will help you take control of your destiny and more easily achieve the
success and happiness you desire. That sounds like a fantastic plan to me!
I
invite you to learn more about the author here and
on Good Reads here . I’d
love for you to follow me on Good Reads too here.
Please share in comments: What goal would this book help you achieve this year?
Disclosure:
I received this book from Blogging for books for this review. No other form of
compensation was given and all opinions stated are my own.