The journey inward is essential to our success as practitioners. Inner leadership in its truest form is a desire for growth & freedom.
It is the freedom to express one’s self from the deepest core that dances in every fiber of our being. It is an inner urge to truly understand ourselves and the invisible world in which we live.
It is a yearning to break through self-imposed limitations in order to serve the world from our best self and to make a meaningful contribution to the world we live in.
Inner leadership is the experience of discovering the depths of resources we all carry within us. It is the path of living empowered lives.
The path to inner leadership arises from rich and abundant soil. There are many paths to developing inner leadership. I shared with you the importance of setting goals; to follow your deepest calling that leads you toward your purpose – your individual path.
Proper Mindset
Leading from within also means learning to calm the mind, use the power of concentration, and engage in positive and effective thinking. Where does the cause of our results originate? It originates in our mind; the way we think. Thinking is the highest function we are capable of.
Thought is the seed to everything in life. What do you say when you talk to yourself? Do your thoughts lead you to your desired outcome? Are they energizing and empowering, or are your thoughts de-energizing and dis-empowering? It’s important to focus on what you do want rather than what you don’t want.
Reprogramming the mind is a disciplined process of repetition that leads you toward your true potential. Most people keep thinking the same kind of thoughts in an unconscious manner. What this means is that we keep viewing the same movie in our minds, and consequently go on creating and living the same kind of life, over and over.
Our mind is like a garden. Whatever is planted must grow. If we plant roses, we do not get tulips. If we plant positive thoughts; we will get positive results. If you say, “Yes, I can!” then you will. Whatever we think in our mind must grow.
Take a moment to reflect on this last sentence. Our mind is truly like a garden; whatever we think in our minds must grow. I often meet practitioners who feel discouraged with their current work situation.
They often desire more, perhaps different. More clients, more freedom, more money, different work environment, full time, part time and the list goes on. As I have stated before; it is vitally important to become clear on what you desire; what truly is tugging at your heart. My second question is; why aren’t you moving towards that? The inner work begins.
We often surround ourselves with limitations through our thoughts, beliefs, habits and rules. As author and coach Bob Proctor said, “Whatever you think about all the time you will attract into your life. Not what you want—what you think about.”
The cause of our behavior, thus our results is our thinking. And most of our thinking is programmed and unconscious. As bodywork practitioners we know our body is the instrument of our mind.
When we change our mind our body responds accordingly. Since thought creates feelings and feelings create action and action creates reaction, we can understand that as we change our thoughts, our results will also change.
If we persist in our efforts to become more conscious of our thinking and free our mind of limiting thoughts we will then move into becoming positive co-creators in our life. You will learn to get out of your own way!
It is claimed that Abe Lincoln once said; “We are as happy as we make up our minds to be.” I love this invitation. It simplifies our life.
We can have better lives, we can have the bodywork practice we desire and long for, if we make up our minds to do so. The choice is ours. Wherever we go, there we are, as the person we have decided to be.
We decide—that is the revelation. We decide, in every moment to move forward in confidence & faith or step backward in fear and limitation.
If we persist in our efforts to become more conscious of our thinking and free our mind of limiting thoughts we will then move into becoming positive co-creators in our life. This is true Inner leadership.
Leading from Within
What are the skills and discipline needed to get the results you desire?
Following is a process for expanding your ability to concentrate and shift your mindset:
1. Focus your awareness on a burning candle for 10 minutes with no distractions.
2. Gradually bring your attention to your breath. Feel its rhythm, follow its current and allow it to deepen.
3. Bring awareness to your thoughts – Always and immediately replace a negative thought with a positive. We alternate between a polarity of thoughts that either serve us well or not. Practice thoughts that serve you well.
4. Understand the power of repetition – we become what we think about all day long. Journal writing is one of many ways to deepen self-awareness while bringing the practice of new thinking into your daily life.
Identify and write down positive statements or declarations each and every day for 30 days. Write-read-practice. Remember; we become what we practice. For example:
I am responsible for my thoughts and feelings.
There is an abundant supply of people looking for exactly what I have to offer, and we are being brought together by one mind.
I live with discipline, passion and courage.
I am whole and complete.
5. Learn to create the inner habits of reflective silence, study, mindfulness, imagination, happiness and calmness of mind. This practice allows you to move away from auto-pilot into a conscious participant in your life.
Leading from within is learning to calm the mind, use the power of concentration and repetition and engage in positive and effective thinking. Remember; our mind is like a garden; be careful what seeds of thought you are planting.
Read “Be Empowered As a Brand-New Massage Therapist, Part I.”
Read “Be Empowered As a Brand-New Massage Therapist, Part II.”
“Be Empowered As a Brand-New Massage Therapist, Part IV” will publish on April 12.
Editor’s note: Download your free copy of the New Practitioner eBook, The Blueprint for a Successful Massage Career.
About the Author
Kathy Ginn, LMT, BCTMB, is the creator of Life Empowered Institute. She is a body-centered Hakomi practitioner, Proctor-Gallagher Thinking into Results consultant, teacher and mentor. She offers body-centered coaching and continuing education focusing on personal and professional development along with courses in Ethics as Right Use of Power. Her courses are offered through webinars and experiential classroom learning. Ginn is a regular contributor to MASSAGE Magazine, and her articles include “The Soil and the Seeds: Grow a Garden of Regular Clientele.”
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