Focus on one thing at a time.

Quite often we are given far too much to do, and if not then we may become stuck in the habit of giving ourselves too much to do.  Try relaxing, and seeing your tasks from a cool, calm and logical point of view, by seeing each part of the moment as steps towards a goal, no matter how small that goal is.

Don’t rush things-try to take your time.

Again, if you get into the habit of rushing things, you are more likely to make the very mistake you were worrying about in the first place!  Instead, realise that if you work at your own pace, you are more likely to complete what you want to without having to go back and do it all over again.

Try to do less by learning to delegate.

Unless you own 4 hands and an extra brain, it is impossible for one person to do everything at once.  If there are tasks that have to be done within a certain time limit, then delegate, and ask someone close to help out.  Quite often people are happy to be of use, and if asked politely they are often far more responsive.  Remember, you are doing them a service if part of the responsibility of the task is theirs…in the long run they will thank you for it.

Take time to spend at least 10 mins doing nothing at all.

Quite often we spend far too much time thinking about what needs to be done rather than just getting on and doing it.  Just think of that thinking time now, as a new kind of ‘me’ time instead.  Use this time to relax and just sit in the garden, lay on your bed or just sit back on a lounger, and simply just be.  Do nothing for 10 minutes and allow yourself that time to relax.

Visualise on what you want, rather that what you fear.

Ask yourself; is it any wonder that we end up feeling so down, or tired after a bout of worry and concern over something that hasn’t even happened yet?  And if you look back over your life, how many things have happened exactly how you have pictured as a worst case scenario…and did you survive?  Quite often you will find that your concerns were unwarranted! So use that precious energy to visualise on what you want, than rather that what you don’t want.  It will serve you much more productively.

When in conversation, enjoy listening and being fully aware.

How many times have you been engaged in a conversation and felt fully present?  Sometimes when we are talking to someone, we can find our minds drifting onto other things, as the conversation can contain many triggers that can remind us of another memory that somehow links to the present and what we need to do next.  Conversation can remind us of many things, especially if we are under stress, and have gotten into the habit of ‘panic thinking’, whereby we just can’t switch off.

Savour each moment of your life, live in the now.

If you were to fast forward your life to the ripe old age of 90, and you are in your bed waiting for the end to come…ask yourself…would you regret having spent most of it worrying over this and that, or stressing out over what needs to be done instead of enjoying the moment, the now?  While we are so engrossed in the future, we often miss the journey that has taken us to where we want to be.  Choose today to be a special day, whereby you enjoy each precious moment, as from the now.

Try meditating while  gardening. cleaning, or washing up.

If you have a mundane task to complete, then why not make that task all the more enjoyable by meditating while you do it.  Meditation is an excellent way to discipline the mind, and refresh your energy levels at the same time!

For more info just go to www.1stsuccess.com or for media bookings, talks, seminars find me on www.findatvexpert.com

Have a blissful day!

Joanna x

This would explain clearly as to why will power alone does not always work, and that life challenges and our environment do indeed play a key role in not only our mental wellbeing, but has an actual physical affect upon us also.

I would hazard a guess, that since our recent recession, there has been further health problems across the nation that have had a knock on affect from job losses, home moves, and increased divorce rates, resulting in stress overload for many people.  This in turn is bound to affect our mental, as well as physical well-being.

So what is the answer?  Well, the good news is that there is another solution to reducing down your weight to a healthy, balanced level that is correct and works for you, while at the same time you can look better, and feel a whole lot better too.  However, I was disappointed to say the least, that the Horizon programme had indicated a drastic kind of surgery as the answer!  Clearly not a physical invasion that I would recommend, but nonetheless, they had reported that most gastric band operations are successful in not only reducing down weight, but that indeed the brain activity alters, as the patients perception of food  is apparently affected also.

With hands scratching heads, the message I got was that the true answer as to why this mental change takes place is not really known.  However reports showed that hormone levels had settled, and attitudes towards food had improved to balanced healthy choices.  The question of course, is why?

To my amazement, the programme then ended, almost leaving me hanging in mid-air as to the answer, when in my opinion the answer is there to be found.  I have read that gastric band operations can be successful yes, but the programme failed to mention that people do find ways of cheating, and will liquidise high fat tasty foods down to get the satisfaction of taste in the mouth.  Not all cases are successful.

To me the answer is obvious, as having worked with a variety of men and women of all shapes and sizes over the years, it is clear to me that there is beyond any doubt a strong mind/body connection and communication that runs both ways.

The Chinese have known this for thousands of years, and in fact what might have in the past been labelled as ‘airy fairy’ is in fact just a different kind of translation of the mind/body connection.  In truth, what epigenetics have found, is coincidentally along the same lines as Eastern philosophy of mind and body connection.

If there is stress, trauma, guilt, worry placed in your life, then depending on whether you are an emotional being or not, given your background and conditioning, will also heavily depend on how you react to food, moods, and indeed as found, your hormonal changes.

Taking the above into consideration, it makes perfect sense as to why if you take identical twins with the same DNA can be totally different in shape and weight, given their very individual experiences and perceptions of life.

Brain activity is not identical however, and therefore neither is individual perception for it is impossible for two people to experience exactly the same thing, while perceiving the whole experience exactly the same at the same time.

Hypnosis works on a subconscious level, and addresses the route cause (if identified) or trigger for emotional eating and can even influence hormonal levels and changes in the chemistry of the body.  Over the years I have encouraged my clients to experiment with mental focus following a hypnotic session to literally change areas of their body shape that they want to change, and I must say with positive effect.

Although this affect does not work with everyone all of the time, it is a start as to understanding just how powerful the mind/body connection really is.

I am excited in fact as to what the future holds, and feel that medical intervention will be needed less and less as we increasingly take full responsibility for our feelings, emotions, stress awareness and our bodies.  In order for this to happen, yes certain life choices would have to alter, but health for most would be a higher priority.

I don’t know about you, but I for one would prefer to be in charge of my own health from the inside out.

If you are interested in further information on hypnosis and how hypnotherapy can aid natural and non-invasive weight reduction, and emotional healing, as well as reducing down stress levels, then please contact me.

For media enquires or epigenetic research, I am happy to share my findings.

Joanna Knight

Clinical Hypnotherapist/Stress Consultant/Intuitive advisor/Coach/Author

Member of the A.P.H.P. and Hypnotherapy register

www.1stsuccess.com

01628 780470

What an interesting way to spend a leap day this year with my recent charitable introduction to the Elizabeth Fry workshop programme for ex offending women.

With a certain amount of anticipation I drove the premises wondering what kind of reception I would get from women who had experienced the darker side of life, and what perceptions would be offered.

My reception was met with a certain amount of coolness, which I suppose was to be expected.  Yes, these women had, had a tough time, they had made mistakes, and yes I was sharing a room full of women that had paid highly for their mistakes, whereby every one of them had a story to tell, perhaps through a misguided youth, a difficult or abusive past, a naïve outlook, inexperience or lack of life knowledge, but despite that, I was in a room full of survivors!

With this in mind, I took everything in mind that I wanted to share on this day and presented the knowledge through demonstration, explanation and indication.  Every blank notepad that was once sitting on the side, was gradually beginning to fill up with the richness of their own perceptions on what they had learnt, written in their own ‘speak’ as I like to call it.

As our day progressed we had gone from looking at everyone’s individual stress triggers such as anger, frustration, rules, jobs, homelessness and difficult relatives etc… onto how each response affects each individual whether that response is the fight/flight or freeze response.

We also looked at responsible assertiveness rather than anger as an answer, and how we can actually learn from another’s point of view, rather than repelling it.  Empowerment is always held within knowledge, and this message was coming across loud and clear as we progressed with some great results!

After a much needed break, we then took a look at ego states and how some simple exercises that I have, can help us with so many different issues and situations.  At this point the room was full of positive questions, interest and possibility!

I am happy to say that by the end of the day, we had not only addressed the subject of stress and assertiveness skills, but we had also identified some of our own stress triggers and how we could overcome them in the future.  This resulted in warm and smiling faces as I left, and a determined request for me to return for future workshops.

All in all, the end of February 29^th was a satisfying and productive day for 1^st Success, and the women who work for the Elizabeth Fry foundation.  I would therefore like to thank each and every woman who helps to support, free, and progress the women in their care.  Some of whom are looking to help others in their quest for a new life.  It is because of people like you, that we are given a second chance to perhaps make a difference, and take on a new perspective.

Joanna knight

Speaker/author/therapist/trainer/facilitator

www.1stsuccess.com

Take a look at these 5 simple tips to help you gain a renewed, calmer perspective and take back control over this busy time of year…..

1) Organisation. Start just by jotting down a rough list on a writing pad so that you have an idea of what you have to get done, but also how ideally you would like your Christmas to be. This will give you an instant starting point, to grow from. On from there, now simply jot down in order of task priority 1-10. So if Xmas cards need attending to first, then they get a 1 score. 10 is much further down your priority list.

2) Communicate to delegate. Christmas fun shouldn’t be all down to just one person, as this creates an imbalance, and sometimes resentment. Make sure that you communicate your needs and wants accurately and clearly and see how you can work things out between yourself and others family members. Can one person bring the spuds pre peeled and sorted? Can you cook the turkey the night before? Can someone offer to make the Christmas cake and bring it? can one of the teenagers be key coffee and tea maker for the day? Can you order food and pressies on line? Get creative and go for sharing tasks with balance in mind.

3) Diary management. Take a look at the week before Christmas, and pencil in what slots and times are convenient to you. Stick to this even if someone else can’t make those times, and this will help you to avoid stressing out over trying to be everything to everyone.

4) Assertiveness. So you can’t please everyone all of the time right? this is true of many family, work and friend commitments especially at Christmas time. So next time you are asked for the impossible, remember that saying no isn’t such a crime. Start by using the phrase ‘I understand’ as everyone likes to be understood. Next you come in with ‘however’ which gives you the chance to state your reasons as to why you can’t make an appointment or complete a task right now.. finally you can say ‘and what I would like to happen is…. or what I suggest is…. So to give you an example…
Hi Joanna, can you sort this report out for me now please, as I need it done today. Hi rob, OK yes I understand that you need this doing now, however I am right in the middle of completing this last minute report that was sent to me earlier, and what I would like is for you to give me another half hour or so in order for me to get it done. thanks.

5) Take time to sit back and enjoy what you have worked so hard for. Book yourself in for a pre Christmas massage, or go to get your hair styled. Take half an hour to go meet a friend. Go to bed half hour earlier, take in a film in, or take a pre Christmas break. Whatever you do, make sure that this Christmas works for you!

Have a good one!

Joanna
www.1stsuccess.com

A good friend of mine thought that it was simply a book about me, my life and experiences and as fascinated as it sounds, well it isn’t quite the truth.

I took the opportunity therefore to explain to everyone that ‘Return from the void’ does use myself as an example based upon my own unique and challenging experiences in life, due to a traumatic period that began back in 2002 and didn’t come to an end until around 2005/6.

For those of you who are looking for a self help remedy, then this is what my book is aiming to do, by using myself as an example with my own experiences, maturity, wisdom and knowledge as a professional hypnotherapist and stress consultant combined.

Return from the void, has been written in a direct, informative and informal fashion in order to relate to all of you who are facing any of the many challenges that life sometimes brings, such as debt, self blame, indecision, feeling lost, alone, or having lost everything as I did myself.

My book contains affirmations, places to put your own notes as well as encouragment for you to answer some of the questions it asks of you.

If you are looking for a free taster, then just log onto www.returnfromthevoid.co.uk and get your free chapter today.

In the meantime I can be found quite easily at www.1stsuccess.com where you can look me up and indeed what I do for people who are in search of assistance.

Have a great day, and speak to you soon….

off to see clients now.

Joanna x

Day to day, most of us work hard to keep a roof over our heads, money in the bank, clothes on our backs, warmth during the cold winters, as well as transport, communication devices and the means to give what we can to our children and elderly parents if we can too! Then there are the extras, the luxuries that we ‘hope’ to have during the year, such as a nice 2 week holiday somewhere hot, a major new purchase for the home, extra savings and investments, weekend breaks, horse riding or some other new hobbie……in other words choices and experiences in life.

But, have you ever thought to yourself how it is that some people just seem to have an easier time of it than others? Why do some people just land that promotion at work? why do some people get lucky with contacts, and gaining extra money? why do some people receive lovely gifts, special offers, deals, and manage to get ahead, get what they want most of the time?

Well, I used to be one of those people who thought it was just a case of luck and good fortune, and to some extent it is fortunate, if you have the ‘right’ attitude towards money.

Take me for instance, I was bought up on a council estate in west london during the 1960′s from a working class background, and with no particular luxuries above the norm. We had a black and white t.v, no bathroom (as the bath was under the unit in the kitchen) and a modest high rise flat. Only a handful of people could afford a car, and income was budgeted for, it was limited, despite both my parents working full time.

Over the years, with the conditioning of my parents beliefs, and my grandparents beliefs (where life was even tougher) were handed down to me…well what do you think happened? that’s right, I took hold of quite a few of those beliefs myself.

To give a short example, lets take a typical working class man, he is tired from a hard days work, he watches the t.v… he see’s something on the news that upsets him that is to do with the rich getting richer, and the poor getting poorer. He sees the unfairness, the injustice, and so set’s his mind to thinking that all rich people are dishonest, or are ‘filthy’ rich possibly? perhaps a conversation then strikes up, and maybe it even leads to a time when he new a spoilt kid from school whos parents were perceived as stinking rich, and so it goes on….

Then we have religious beliefs, where it is perceived to be good to be poor. The rich will never inherit the earth according to some religions, so what subconcious belief could that lead to I wonder? Could you feel guilty for having more than someone else? or maybe you don’t like people with too much money, and so have subconciously decided to limit yourself to a balance of what is acceptable. Possibly the phrase ‘money is the root of all evil’ has been permanently buried within your psyche, and you just can’t release it?

Deep down many of us may well hold a limiting belief around the subject of income and money. For this reason we are exactly where we are in life because of it to one extent or another.

As a matter of course, I tend to make a mental note of people I have known who have had a charmed up bringing, with parents that have offered endless amounts of luxury goods to their off spring, and in some cases, this is despite the fact as to whether the parents have the money or not….. and it is with great interest that I have also noted, that the very fortunate few tend to go on through their life ‘expecting’ money, as after all it is all that they know, it is normal to them to receive nice things, and the biggest one of all…..it is ‘acceptable’ for them to have it.

You see when you have had what you have needed, and wanted all your life, and you have been surrounded to those who hold similar beliefs, well why would you feel bad about it? if you had money, would that mean that you were an unworthy person? I doubt it. Of course, logically we also all know, that not all rich people are not nasty or bad either. After all, if you had money just think of the people you could help, the things you could achieve, the experiences to share, charities you could create etc….

Luckily there are more than enough tools within hypnotherapy, nlp, eft and timeline therapy to remove self limiting beliefs around money, and media, society and parental conditioning that sometimes upsets the balance, and stops us from receiving what we rightfully deserve….after all one person is just as worthy as the next when it comes to wanting choice.

To find out more information on challenging beliefs just contact joanna@1stsuccess.com or why not visit www.1stsuccess.com

In my line of work I often come across people who are confused, lost and in need of some
serious guidance and clarity, when it comes to various life concerns and decisions.

Of course as we all know, the very essence of life and growth is circled around change, and although change is crucial to our development, it can be a very scary thing during times
of adversity and challenge.

In fact, if you really think about it, change is needed, it is crucial and just like the
seasons that come and go, everything has it’s time and it’s place, as nothing ever stays the same forever.  If it did, what a boring lot we would be? And where is the challenge and knowledge to be gained from that?

Having experienced first-hand, the negative effects of stress that has been self-induced
through unnecessary worry and concern, I know all too well how mental anxiety
can build up over time, leading to confusion, loss of direction and focus.

Quite often we just stick within our comfort zone as this feels familiar and safe to us, and
having that sense of safe certainty adds some security to that fact.  Unfortunately, what we are familiar with isn’t always the correct route for natural adaption to circumstances, as old patterns and belief systems do not always lend a fair and honest view to ever changing
times.

To give you a fun example of this, I once had a lady who came to me saying that she had
always cut the meat off from her joint of beef every Sunday in preparation before cooking it.  When I asked her why she did this, her reply was….’well that is just what you do’.  However, on probing her further, she realised that her mother had received this information from her mother before her, who upon questioning further had realised it was because the tin that was used at the time (and being that they were quite poor back then) wasn’t nearly big enough to hold the beef, PLUS they used the leftovers during hard times, for the next evenings meal.

In fact, this tradition or habit had been passed down two generations without question.  It had been safely accepted as the ‘norm’ as that is just what you do!

Interestingly enough, she saw the funny side of her behaviour, and realised that as the tin she had was more than adequate to hold the joint of beef she had, that she wouldn’t be repeating that cycle again!

So how can we make a decision that takes us outside of our comfort zone?  Well, here are a few simple tips to get you on the right track….

• If you’re being pushed out of your comfort zone right now, by having to face choices that you would rather not wish to make, just take a moment to sit quietly and think of how you would normally react.  Then ask yourself…. Is
  this reaction something truly feels right to me?  And…  When I react this way, do I get the results I want for me, or am I performing for other people’s views?
• Next I want you to envision how the sheer vastness of the universe works.  Simply view the bigger picture, and see how very small you and your concerns are in relation to this.  Then take a pen and pad and note down what you value the most in life by what you think and feel.   Be completely honest with yourself here, be brave.
• Now, take a truthful look at what you have written…. Does this feel true to you?
  If it does, you will have a moment of inner knowing, if not then you may feel uncertain or blank.  Keep going with this little exercise until you reveal the truth.  Remember, nothing is truly selfish when it comes to taking responsibility for yourself.  Quite often it is the expectation of others that gets in our way.

Good luck!

For more
information on self-development, hypnosis and mind mechanics just contact Joanna@1stsuccess.com or why not take a
free chapter from my book at www.returnfromthevoid.co.uk

©joannadavies2011

Contact:-

Contact Person Joanna Knight-Life Empowerment & Mind Mechanic Expert

Company Name 1^st Success

Telephone Number 01628 780470

Mobile Number 07898 230000

Email Address Joanna@1stsuccess.com
or joannaknight66@yahoo.co.uk

Web site address www.1stsuccess.com
& www.returnfromthevoid.co.uk

Local mum turns author & radio
presenter after being homeless.

So what
happens after you have lost everything?

Local Maidenhead mum Joanna Knight knows exactly how that feels, and has
happily learnt the secret to true success, having recently turned her hand to
writing and launching her first book ‘Return from the void’ along with co-hosting
for her local radio station Marlow F.M. and busily launching her latest therapy
clinic in Harley Street London, after initially losing everything she had.

Return from the void covers the essence of Joanna’s personal and fascinating
journey during times of extreme personal challenge and adversity, while sharing
her own unique philosophy from a professional as well as personal point of
view.  All in all, this book is cleverly
written in a direct and matter of fact fashion, without the un-necessary
padding that some self-aid books apply, and has been tailored for the busy
working population, with a variety of easy exercises to participate in, and
notes to be made at your own leisure.

In short Joanna comes from a fresh and powerful perspective, in sharing her
trails and lessons as well as her professional guidance of clinical
hypnotherapy, nlp. and stress consultancy.

Joanna’s next book signing will be at Waterstones, Windsor branch, Peascold
Street, Windsor Berks, on July 10^th from 11-5pm, with free entry
into her competition for £450.00 worth of intensive life change therapies to
the lucky winner!  For more information
of future signings or to claim your sample chapter contact www.returnfromthevoid.co.uk

For more information on stress consultancy, hypnosis, nlp, speakers events
and empowerment workshops simply visit www.1stsuccess.com  or contact Joanna@1stsuccess.com    phone 01628 780470

ISBN Product Number 9781906954291.
Return from the void, at all good bookshops.

For further publication information please contact Murielle Maupoint at live
it publishing www.liveitpublishing.com

“Joanna has taught me that through
adversity you can rise from a ‘Bottomless Pit’ and come back
‘Triumphantly’.  Not only has she
accomplished this, she has courageously written this for others to show them
the way through!   Liz Everett,
Healer & Author of An Inner Light That Shines So Bright

# # #