You Can Be the Hammer, or You Can Be the Nail

In most circumstances in life, you’re either the hammer or the nail. The goal is to attack each day with the mindset of the hammer: anything that comes your way, you’re ready for; you can handle anything and will take any situation and learn how to grow from it.

But sometimes you’re the nail…it just is what it is. Sometimes you feel like you’re the nail over and over again, getting beaten down by life and the circumstances around you.  We’ve all been here and we’ve all felt this way.

There are tools you can use when battling these feelings and they can really help. The next time you’re feeling like “the nail” try these methods to get out of that headspace:

1. ) BREATHE
The Box Breathing Protocol has been proved to drastically decrease stress and help provide some mental clarity. The nice part is, it’s really easy and fast.  Here’s what you need to do:

- Take a 4 second inhale through your nose
- Hold inhale for 4 seconds
- Exhale through your mouth for 4 seconds
- Hold empty breath for 4 seconds

That’s it!  Go through this breathing series as many times as you need to feel better, more calm, or able to tackle your stressors.

2.) WRITE
Write a list of actions that can help create change. Own the situation you are in and write down a couple things that you can take immediate action on.  How can you start to solve this problem?

3.) MOVE
Clear your head out and move. Go for a walk or get a workout in…anything, as long as you’re moving. You will feel better and gain some clarity on your situation.

4.) TALK
Talk to someone who will listen. This could be your spouse, friend, therapist, dog…anyone. Sometimes you just need to talk through a situation and get some feedback.

We’ve all felt the like nail before, but you don’t have to live there. Being the hammer is both a mindset and taking action.  So…go be the hammer.

If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help you become your healthiest, happiest self: sign up for a free Intro Session with a Coach!

Abundance or Scarcity?

The way we think about life and personal resources can have a significant impact on our goals, decision-making, and overall well-being.  Generally, there are two distinct mentalities that shape our perception of the world and our place in it:  a scarcity mindset or an abundance mindset.

An easy way to check your mindset is to answer this question honestly:  when you see a friend or acquaintance succeed, are you happy for them or does it make you wonder “why not me?” or feel mad, frustrated, even jealous?

If you’re happy for and supportive of your friend, you’re living in an abundance mindset!  If you are jealous, frustrated, or feel like someone else’s success takes away your chances for success, then you’re living with a scarcity mindset.

A scarcity mindset is marked by feelings of lack, fear, and anxiety.  People with a scarcity mentality believe that there are limited resources and opportunities available, and they often engage in competition with others to secure access to these resources. This can lead to feelings of insecurity and a constant need to protect what one already has.

On the other hand, an abundance mindset is characterized by feelings of gratitude, generosity, and positivity. People with an abundance mindset believe that there is plenty of opportunity and resources available, and they focus on sharing their resources and helping others. This leads to feelings of satisfaction and a sense of purpose.

Tony Robbins, renowned motivational speaker and author, says "If you want to live an abundant life, you have to learn to develop an abundance mentality. You have to believe that there's plenty out there for you, that there are unlimited opportunities, and that you can create the life you want."

The difference between these two mentalities can be seen in the way people approach life and work. Those with a scarcity mindset are often focused on getting ahead and achieving success at the cost of relationships and personal well-being. Meanwhile, those with an abundance mindset focus on creating value and helping others, leading to a more fulfilling life and greater success in the long run.

It is important to recognize that a scarcity mindset can be limiting and hold us back in life, while an abundance mindset can open up new opportunities and help us achieve our goals. If you find yourself feeling stressed, anxious, or fearful, it may be a sign that you have a scarcity mentality. However, it is possible to shift your thinking and adopt an abundance mindset by practicing gratitude, being generous, and focusing on your strengths.  By recognizing the limitations of a scarcity mindset and embracing the positivity and generosity of an abundance mindset, we can lead a more fulfilling and successful life.

If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help you become your healthiest, happiest self: sign up for a free Intro Session with a Coach!