How to plug into the power of you - and get what you want in seven days

Julie Provino is a mindfulness and neurolinguistic programming coach who knows how to get stuff done. And she's here to help you unlock your own potential, nail the art of positive thinking and transform your future, fast

Spoiler: there’s no magic formula. The odds are stacked against you if you expect to win the lottery or receive a holiday home in the Bahamas.

The title of this article may sound materialistic, but what we’re actually talking about here is knowing who you are as a person and listening to what’s going on inside. This is the key to achieving the life you really want for yourself. So how do you tap into your internal energy to achieve true happiness? Here’s a week’s worth of tips to start you on your journey of self-discovery.

Day 1: Remember who you are

Introduce some quiet time into your day, create your own space and simply sit, lie or stand – ideally for a minimum of 15 minutes
Relax and focus on your breathing
Think about who you are – the good and the not so good – listen to your mind and experience feelings as they come and go
Afterwards, write how you feel in your diary

Day 2: Listen to your thoughts

Did you know that we have about 90,000 thoughts every day? Amazing, right? Pay attention to these thoughts and try to understand how they shape your day-to-day life. Again, take time to sit and reflect on your pattern of thoughts.

Prioritise thinking in your busy agenda
Make a conscious effort to be positive
Set time aside for the things you love

Day 3: Set goals

Now that you’ve analysed your thoughts and know yourself a bit better, it’s time to think about your goals.

Simplify and organise your day/week/month to keep your goals active
Visualise your future as if it were today – act like you’ve already achieved those goals
Practice patience and eventually you’ll achieve what you want in life

Day 4: Be eternally grateful

Be thankful for all your amazing achievements and for all those valuable lessons you’ve learned. Sometimes when we stumble in life, it can lead to the most positive kind of development. So even in the face of adversity, remember to always be grateful.

Be mindful about the greatness you have in your life – that will lead to more positive thinking
Take more ownership of your life and focus on where you are going
Voice your gratitude to the people around you
Call someone you hold dear and share your gratitude with them
Spread the love

Day 5: Go with the flow

Like flowing water, you may become trapped or stagnant. Boulders, rocks and so on make it seem impossible to move. But in same way, that water starts flowing with a small trickle and you can create new pathways to find your way through. It’s all about having this internal knowledge that everything is going to be OK in the end; trusting that if you are true to yourself, things will work out just fine.

To make life easier to flow through, use all the techniques mentioned above, and make a point of:

Clearing away distractions
Practicing daily mindfulness techniques

Day 6: Realise the power of you

Many people attribute success to the support of others, or special circumstances. It’s time to be slightly more self-aware and recognise that the power to get what you want is completely within your grasp. So now it’s time to:

Commit to enjoying your life more
Spend more time relaxing

Day 7: New beginnings

And the whole journey is, in fact, a complete cycle. You can choose to learn your lessons and move on, or get stuck. Life is all about evolving and growing as a person. The end of the week is all about new beginnings. Be open to things being slightly different but never the same.

Remember that you have the power to go in any direction you choose

So that’s your first seven days taken care of. For further transformative tips, read How To Get What You Want in 7 Weeks (£14,99) by Julie Provino, available now at julieprovino.com

Maria Coole is a contributing editor on Marie Claire.

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