Academy for Coaching Excellence

We turn timeless wisdom into practical tools to help purpose-driven people live a life they are prou

We are build a global community of people who are living lives they are meant to live and creating a thriving world for all. Our curriculum turns timeless wisdom into practical skills that have helped tens of thousands to live and serve with clarity, focus, ease, and grace.

08/08/2024

Invite your friends and fellow leaders to experience the transformational power of the Green Lens!

Live only.
Free to the public.

Learn a powerful method for cultivating trust, creativity, and collaboration in the teams you lead, without having to work very hard to do it.

✔ Put other people at ease quickly, so that their natural creativity comes out
✔ Consistently show up to interactions as the compassionate person you are
✔ Foster an environment of trust in your team, so that collaboration naturally occurs

Join us for this engaging and transformative event!
*Linktree in Bio

Life Coach Training: Academy for Coaching Excellence 07/08/2024

Transform your leadership with this live public webinar!

Today’s leaders navigate complex, often ambiguous roles that require them to be visionaries, managers, coaches, and mentors all at once. Leaders spend much of their time managing individuals and solving their problems. This view of leadership can be overwhelming, especially for those who are passionate about bringing out the best in others while driving change.

Life Coach Training: Academy for Coaching Excellence The Academy for Coaching Excellence is accredited by the globally recognized ICF. The multi-session training program will help you become an exceptional life coach.

06/19/2024

Happy Juneteenth from the ACE community!!

06/06/2024

Course Leader Raquel Najera shared this beautiful poem at the Licensed Academy Trainer Intensive today. Doesn't it capture the spirit of coaching?

05/31/2024

Back by popular demand!

https://acecoachtraining.com/leadership/

05/10/2024

Excerpt from ACE's founder and director Dr. Maria Nemeth, from her groundbreaking book "Mastering Life's Energies - Simple Steps to a Luminous Life at Work and Play"

04/22/2024
04/19/2024

This workshop is for you if you’re interested in:

Making a meaningful impact in your organization or community;
Gaining practical skills to cut through the usual distractions most leaders face, enabling you to focus on what’s really necessary to support your team to experience success;

Developing a sense of internal calm and spaciousness while fostering the innate creative and leadership capacity of each team member. This leadership skill will support collaboration and creativity in your team.
In this 90-minute workshop, you’ll learn something genuinely unique about how to see and lead your team, a way to foster a more creative and impactful context. You’ll discover how our brains work under stress so that you can better see what might be slowing you down from achieving the results you’d love to produce with your team. You’ll also learn and practice a tool that helps you see the genuine capacity of those you work with, thus supporting you to be more empowering and supporting them to activate their leadership and creativity. And you might find that you’re doing so with at least a bit of ease!

Upcoming session:
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
9:30 – 11:00 am Pacific / 12:30 – 2:00 pm Eastern

04/17/2024

https://acecoachtraining.com/managing-organizational-change/

It’s no secret that we live in a world of ever-changing circumstances and challenges.

This course offers a clear and engaging introduction to complexity theory, equipping you to manage change more efficiently, whether coaching individuals or leading an organization.
Here’s what you’ll gain:

An introduction to Complexity Theory as a worldview and a view of organizations.
Insight into how and why small changes can create significant impacts, helping you to anticipate and navigate change more effectively.
Skills to identify patterns and structures within chaos, improving your strategic decision-making and planning.
Techniques for adaptive change management, building resilience, and encouraging innovation in your team or organization.
Methods to enhance problem-solving and creativity by incorporating diverse perspectives and collective intelligence.
Enhanced leadership skills, preparing you to lead confidently through uncertainty and foster environments of growth and adaptation.
Strategies to improve teamwork and collaboration, valuing different viewpoints to find the best solutions.

The syllabus includes:

An overview of the development of organizational systems and the best practices for interacting with each.
A lesson in organizational resilience: How to Bounce Back from Adversity
The Five Stages of organizational development and how to promote success during each stage.
Using a Positive Deviance approach to making significant individual and organizational changes with minimal effort.
This course is designed to make you more effective in your role, whether you’re a coach, a leader, or both! It will give you practical knowledge and skills in complexity theory to transform challenges into opportunities for growth.

When: Wednesdays, May 8, 22, June 5, 19, 2024 @ 9-11 am Pacific Time
Where: Online via Zoom video conference
Continuing Coach Education Units (CCEUs): 8CC
No prerequisite (open to the public)
Pricing
Non-Coach Training Program Students:
$475 early bird (by April 8) / $500 regular price (after April 8)
Current Coach Training Program Students:
$400 early bird price (by April 8) / $425 regular price (after April 8)*

03/14/2024

There are many definitions of success.

Here at ACE, we use a definition of success that’s a bit unusual, and it comes from our founder Dr. Maria Nemeth, who defines success as “doing what you said you would do, consistently, with clarity, focus, ease, and grace.”

This particular definition of success is one of the foundations of our coaching framework, because it’s all doing what you said you would do (not anyone else). This type of success starts with getting clarity about what is important to you and what you’re here to contribute, what you long to be known for.

When you’re truly clear about what matters in your life, you can be satisfied each day because you’re focusing your energy on what’s important.

This is why we’re excited to invite you to a special public webinar coming up:
Mastering Your Life: Live How to Live Each Day with Purpose and Satisfaction
Friday March 15th, 9:00-10:30 am Pacific / 12:00-1:30 pm Eastern

In the first 75 minutes of the webinar, you’ll learn one of our foundational tools that will empower you to stay focused on what’s important each day, even when things get difficult or don’t go according to plan. In the last 15 minutes, if you choose to stay, we will share a little bit about our ACE Foundations 1 course with anyone who is interested in learning more.

I hope you can join us for this unique live event.

03/08/2024

ACE Founder and Master Certified Coach Dr. Maria Nemeth talks about the ACE;s flagship foundations course "Mastering Your Life" and why we have all of the coaches we train start here.

02/14/2024

Please join us and invite your friends to this powerful and practical webinar on how to live each day with purpose and satisfaction.

In the first 75 minutes we'll teach you how to use one of our foundational tools that will support you to consistently contribute what you're here to contribute in life.

In the final 15 minutes, we will share information about our flagship transformational course ACE Foundations 1 for anyone interested. Come join us and discover what it's all about!

https://acecoachtraining.com/mastery

02/07/2024

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 ✨

"𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙙𝙤, 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙮, 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮, 𝙛𝙤𝙘𝙪𝙨, 𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚." -Dr. Maria Nemeth 🌿

In modern culture, we often equate success with achievements and material possessions… and yet, those who “do” and “have” the most are often the least fulfilled. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲, and what we are here to contribute. ❤️

Doing what you said you would do means fulfilling a promise. When you make a promise, you pledge that something will happen in physical reality, which creates a gap that will only close — a tension that will only resolve — when you make good on your promise.

Consistently simply means steadily over time, versus merely on occasion. In this way, at any moment, you can look at your life and say: “𝗬𝗘𝗦! 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼.” ✊

𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 🔍
Clarity is seeing what is important to you: the intentions you treasure and the goals that bring them to life. In doing so, you shape your life according to your “game worth playing.”

𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 🎯
Focus is putting your energy toward what is important to you. When you direct your attention and action toward what calls to you in your heart, distractions become irrelevant.

𝗘𝗮𝘀𝗲 🍃
Ease is taking small sweet steps toward what is important to you. When you work hard with ease, you go further toward your dreams — but with a bit of elegance, instead of struggle!

𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 🕊️
Grace is an unearned or unexpected blessing. The gateway to grace is being grateful, no matter the situation. This allows you to see the unearned blessings that are all around you.

02/03/2024

Coach Silissa Uriarte Smith excerpt from our Changemaker Coach Panel talking about the Green Lens!

Photos from Academy for Coaching Excellence's post 01/25/2024
01/15/2024

Happy MLK day! Share what inspires you about the great civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.

01/12/2024

The Principle of Ease

Ease is taking small, sweet steps toward what is important to you.

Ease doesn't imply working without effort. Rather, the effort is focused in a clear direction, and there is no strain. What this means is that you can work hard with ease. The opposite of ease isn't difficulty, but struggle. Struggle is what we do when we:

Wait by the side of our path for our worries to go away before moving forward.
Analyze, rather than observe, the nature of those worries.
Engage in a lot of activity that has no meaning, but that serves as a distraction.
Entertain thoughts that only constrict rather than expand our sense of possibility.
Here are several simple guidelines you can practice, in order to bring ease to your journey:

Guideline #1: Smaller is better.
Small actions taken over time produce the most lasting results. The Japanese used this principle, called kaizen, to quickly rebuild their economy after World War II. On an individual level, this steadiness helps us build new neural pathways, and bypasses the part of our brain, the amygdala, that gets activated when we depart from our usual safe routines.

Guideline #2: Promise the result, not the effort.
A result is something concrete and measurable. It's tempting to promise the time you’ll spend on something, rather than the results you’ll produce. However, it's essential for your satisfaction that you be able to point to something tangible that you have accomplished.

Guideline #3: Acknowledge even the smallest result.
When you acknowledge something, you are giving it life. Every step can be appreciated and savored! By doing so, you empower yourself to continue forward on your path.

Guideline #4: Call in support.
We were not built to do things alone. When you notice you might be struggling, take a breath and ask yourself: Am I willing to call in support? Who might I call upon to support me?

12/20/2023

Support the project at https://acecoachtraining.com/contribute

All donations are tax deductible through our Fiscal Sponsor Angels for Angels. (https://www.angelsforangels.net/)

There is an overwhelming need for coaches who come from and seek to serve BIPOC communities. At the same time, the coach training industry has been historically inaccessible to many underrepresented communities. Our accredited, well-established, and highly successful program regularly receives qualified applicants from the BIPOC community who are ready for the opportunity to step onto this career pathway. In response, ACE is launching a dedicated coach training pathway for BIPOC coaches. We recognize that coach trainees from underrepresented communities have unique needs and participants in Empowered Together will receive exceptional coach training and customized support from our team that is relevant to the unique experiences of the BIPOC community.

Our goal is to expand the work we’ve been doing to make ACE programming accessible to the BIPOC community and launch a training program dedicated to fostering a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive coaching industry.

Support the project at https://acecoachtraining.com/contribute
Meet some of our coaches at https://acecoachtraining.com/coach-spotlight/

Terms of Use:

ACE is fiscally sponsored by Angels for Angels, a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible as permitted by law.

As required by federal tax law, once a donation has been processed, it becomes the property of Angels for Angels, and Angels for Angels has exclusive legal control over the donated funds. Angels for Angels will make a good faith effort to utilize a gift for the purposes of the project named, however, Angels for Angels reserves the right to re-grant gifts where, in Angels for Angels’s sole discretion, the recommended project is not furthering its specified charitable purposes or when, for example, such project falls out of compliance with a federal or state regulatory authority. If Angels for Angels cannot regrant a donation to or for the purposes of a project that you have recommended, Angels for Angels may in its sole discretion select an alternate recipient, expend the funds in furtherance of the intended charitable purpose itself, or contact you for a different recommendation.

10/26/2023

Join us for this free webinar next week where we can be in the ontological space and lower our anxiety together! (linktree in bio)

An invitation from our founder Dr. Maria:
There’s no doubt that many of us are facing uncertain times. There are currently multiple places worldwide that are impacting our everyday lives. This situation naturally gives rise to anxiety, even in people who are usually unaccustomed to experiencing it.

When the Covid pandemic first arrived a few years ago, the ACE team saw it was time to introduce the Gratitude Protocol to our community. It was a success. People reported a marked reduction in anxiety immediately and over time when they used the Gratitude Protocol Process daily for at least five to seven days.

We’re offering another Gratitude Protocol webinar next Thursday at no cost to anyone interested in using this process to lower anxiety and increase their well-being. Whoever attends will also receive a complimentary copy of My Gratitude Journal, a 30-day journey into practicing gratitude, with my interspersed recordings offering suggestions and thoughts to keep you going.

We have the space for hundreds, so we invite you to let your friends, family, or colleagues know about this webinar so they can join us, too!
The webinar is 90 minutes. The first hour and ten minutes present the Gratitude Protocol. During the last 20 minutes, we ask those interested in ACE courses to stay so they can hear about Foundations 1 (formerly Mastering Life’s Energies) and get their questions answered.

Please join us! We look forward to being with you, and we’re looking forward to sharing this process with you!
Love,
Maria

Details:
Public webinar: Disrupt Your Anxiety Using the Gratitude Protocol
Thursday, November 2nd
3:00-4:30 pm Pacific / 6:00-7:30 pm Eastern

10/05/2023

Facebook Live Demo for ACE coaches as part of the Art of Enrollment course.

08/31/2023

Questions to Empower Your Leadership Journey
Leadership isn't just about directing a team; it's about evolving as a person and inspiring others to do the same. Whether you're a seasoned leader, a coach, or someone who aspires to guide others, embracing self-awareness can be a game-changer. Here are some thoughtful questions designed to unlock your potential and elevate your approach to leadership.

Deepen Your Inspiration
What gets you out of bed every morning in your current role?
How would overcoming a particular challenge enrich your own growth?
Are there skills on your learning horizon that genuinely excite you?
Where do you find moments of joy in your daily grind?
Acknowledge Your Strengths
What are your unique creative contributions?
When did you last take a moment to savor your own accomplishments?
Which of your existing skills equip you to navigate challenges effectively?
Cultivate Team Synergy
What issues, once resolved, would lift the spirits and efficiency of your whole team?
Are you open to leaning into the collective wisdom around you?
How do your decisions and actions radiate out to benefit others?
Strategize for Impact
Do you have a resonant goal that aligns with your career aspirations?
What concrete steps can you take towards this goal, and who in your circle can hold you accountable?
These questions aren't merely theoretical; they can serve as your mental toolbox, equipping you to lead with greater depth and intentionality. Reflecting on these can take you a long way in understanding both yourself and the endless possibilities that await you and your team.

Here's to your continuing journey in becoming the impactful leader you were meant to be. 🌟

How to Successfully Launch Your Ideas, Part Three » Dr. Maria Nemeth 07/27/2023

Ever been swept away by the thrill of a fantastic idea, only to find it suddenly morph into a challenging reality? That shift, that transition from pure concept to concrete action, is something we call 'Liftoff'. 🚀

During Liftoff, your project truly begins to take shape. This phase may test your passion and resolve but remember – it also refines your idea, strengthening your vision, and propelling you towards your goal. While it can be daunting, Liftoff is truly a launching pad towards your dreams.🌟

And yes, Liftoff takes energy – more than you may expect at first. And it's not just about money or physical stamina. It includes your time, creativity, the joy you find in the project, and the supportive relationships around you. Each of these elements becomes a critical part of the fuel that powers your project, helping you rise above the weight of inertia.

When you know about this stage and plan for the Liftoff experience, it doesn’t have to frustrate or demoralize you. When it’s challenging to produce results, you may fool yourself into thinking that the project is a waste of your energy. In fact, this is the time to focus on the methods to bring your dream to physical reality! Here’s how to do it.

Let’s explore the different forms of energy necessary to catapult your idea into reality.

Money: Consider money as a type of energy defined by its capacity to accomplish work in physical reality. For instance, when you hire your neighbor’s kid to mow your lawn for $20, the task is completed without you lifting a finger.
Time: Time is another form of energy, particularly in our fast-paced society. It shares a parallel relationship with money: we can spend, waste, or save them both. Thirty years ago, lack of money was the primary reason for not taking a vacation. Today, money is trailing behind the energy of time.
Physical Vitality: This energy we derive from physical well-being. Ever feel too exhausted to indulge in your favorite activities? Physical vitality involves nurturing a relationship with your body that facilitates doing what you love. Launching a new business, writing a book, or training to be a professional coach during the Liftoff stage can be physically taxing. However, it is this energy that allows us to savor life’s pleasures, from a scenic hike to snorkeling in Hawaii’s clear waters.
Creativity: Creativity is an energy form that infuses your project with innovation and resilience. It’s the driving force behind designing your project and ensuring it thrives amidst the unpredictable nature of reality. Especially during the Liftoff stage, your creative energy will be instrumental in overcoming challenges and navigating the path to success.
Enjoyment: The concept of enjoyment as a form of energy might seem unfamiliar, but let’s delve into it. Ask yourself this: which project holds your interest? Is it the one you look forward to, believing it would be an enjoyable use of your time? Or is it the one that you dread and perceive as a time-waster? The energy derived from the enjoyment of your work can fuel your project and keep you motivated during the Liftoff stage.
Relationship: This form of energy revolves around the support we need to bring a project to fruition. As human beings, we flourish in communities of support, whether they are large or small. Consider launching a new website, opening a bakery, designing a product to market, or even learning how to swim, drive, or dance – all these activities necessitate the support of others. The energy of Relationship/Support is most acutely needed during the Liftoff phase of a project. Therefore, look for people or places that offer this supportive energy. If you are a woman, professional organizations such as the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) have programs designed to give you the information you need to start your business. The bottom line is this: if you look around for it, the energy of support can always be found.
Each of these forms of energy plays a vital role during the Liftoff stage. When you use them well, they propel your project upwards, helping you overcome the gravity of initial inertia.

People who are successful with their ideas can most easily tolerate the discomfort of running uphill. They produce results anyway, regardless of the amount of effort involved. Most of us know the story of Thomas Edison, who failed 2774 times, according to his records, before he reached a working design of an electric light bulb that could be commercially produced.

Like a rocket launch, Liftoff can be demanding. But remember, it’s also the exhilarating beginning of your journey to the stars!

I am including parts of a project checklist to show you the optimal ways to go through Stages One and Two of your project. After working with thousands of entrepreneurs, I saw that specific points must be considered to go from one stage to the next. If you follow these points, your project will meet with success.

For more details about this transformative stage, we have a blog post that dives deep into what Liftoff entails, including a practical checklist to help guide you through this phase. https://marianemeth.com/from-dream-to-reality-how-to-successfully-launch-your-ideas-part-two/

How to Successfully Launch Your Ideas, Part Three » Dr. Maria Nemeth Toward the end of this article, we will look at the Power of Yes! It’s a new take on being open and ready for whatever comes to you on your life’s journey.

06/29/2023

💭 There's a hidden power in the questions we ask ourselves each day. These questions can steer our thoughts, actions, and ultimately the direction of our lives.

Instead of asking, "Why is this happening?" Consider the possibilities that open up when you ask, "How might what I’m going through contribute to the lives of others?"

Shift from the query, "What is my history?" to "What am I grateful for, right here and now?" This focuses your attention on the blessings all around you in the present moment, rather than dwelling on the past.

Often we wonder, "What should I work on?" Instead, try asking, "What is here for me to explore?" This brings a sense of curiosity and creativity to your actions.

Instead of asking, "How can I get my needs met?" Try asking, "What might I do to benefit the whole?" This places our focus on collaboration and collective success.

Next, move from "Who needs to be fixed here?" to "What needs to emerge here?" By doing so, you'll shift from blaming to creating.

We all want to feel comfortable, but what if instead of asking, "How can I become more comfortable?" we ask, "How might I wake up and become more conscious in my life?" It invites us to be more aware and engaged.

Often, we're in a rush to complete our tasks. Instead of asking, "How might I do the things I need to do quickly?" What if you asked, "How might I do what’s next with clarity, focus, ease, and grace?"

Lastly, move from "What do I want to do?" to "What am I willing to do?" Desire is important, but being willing is what creates meaningful results.

What might become possible in your life when you shift your attention using these empowering questions? What new doors might open for you? Let's explore this together. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments. Let's create a culture of curiosity and growth. 🌱💫

06/23/2023

🔑💡 Unlock your coaching business potential with the Art of Entrepreneurial Thinking!

Try these 6 essential viewpoints of an entrepreneurial mindset. 👥💼

1️⃣ Experiment Fearlessly: Success doesn't come from a cookie-cutter formula, but from daring to try, measuring outcomes, and adapting along the way. The secret? Embrace the thrill of experimentation!

2️⃣ Provide Value Constantly: Stand out by exceeding expectations and consistently adding value. These thoughtful gestures—from an insightful tip to a little extra time—build trust, attract clients, and garner consistent referrals.

3️⃣ Appreciate Successes: Turn your focus from what isn't working to what is. Hosted a workshop with a small turnout? Identify what worked for those who attended and replicate that success.

4️⃣ Be the Boss: Embrace your role not just as a worker, but as the owner of your business. This powerful shift can radically change how you handle obstacles and create your business culture.

5️⃣ Prioritize Connection & Conversation: Real entrepreneurship isn't about monologues—it's about dialogues. Understand, learn from, and serve your audience to make a lasting impact.

6️⃣ Balance Long-Term and Short-Term Goals: Build a robust business by pairing deep, long-term strategies with quick, easy wins. Offer profound value while seizing readily available opportunities.

Join us on this enlightening journey, and let's grow your coaching business together! 🚀

06/13/2023

In my years of coaching, I've found that meaningful transformation comes when we step towards "Authentic Action." 🌿

But what does this term mean?

Authentic action is an act that resonates deeply with our core values, aligns with our purpose, and supports our goals. Unlike impulsive or reactionary behavior, authentic action inspires meaningful, resonant changes in our lives.

When we take action without coherence, our efforts resemble flies buzzing around on a hot summer's night — lots of movement and noise, but no direction. This is not what we're after. We aim for action that is elegant, simple, and conscious of the energy it uses.

In essence, authentic action proceeds directly from discernment. When we clearly see where we are, we automatically know what to do.

This can be divided into two types of authentic actions. The first aims to clear the path, resolving any unfinished business that traps our energy. This could be anything from paying off credit card debt to organizing your office. These actions might not be the most fun, but they do provide relief.

The second type of authentic action channels our energy directly towards our goal. These actions result in a sense of joy and alignment with our values and intentions. This might be writing daily for your novel, or opening a vacation savings account.

Dr. Maria Nemeth puts it simply: "Success is doing what you said you would do consistently, with clarity, focus, ease, and grace." So let’s honor the practice of authentic action, ensuring our strides align with our true selves.

Keep this in mind as you go about your week and remember: the journey to success starts with one authentic step. 💪

Would love to hear your thoughts on this! Have you experienced a difference between simple action and authentic action?

05/17/2023
04/27/2023

The Gratitude Protocol: A simple practice for disrupting anxiety

A protocol is a set procedure for carrying out a scientific experiment. In many ways, this is exactly what you will be doing. Use what you’re about to learn as a scientific experiment. That is, judge for yourself if this works for you… as I am convinced it will when you carry out the instructions in this personal experiment.

You are going to follow a training schedule. If we know one thing about training, we know that it must be consistent, preferably carried out at the same time each day. I suggest you do this three times each day for at least one week. Then, go on to the next training level. You can always come back to this part whenever you want to disrupt anxiety at the moment it occurs.

Find two index cards. Two small pieces of paper are ok for this, although they should be thicker/heavier than usual paper.
On the first card, write: “What I am anxious about:” at the top, and then go on and write what it is, using just a few words that really describe the source of your anxiety. Make sure it is something which, the moment you think about it, you feel your body tensing up, or your heart beating harder or faster.

On the second card, write: “What I am grateful for:” It could be anything: the smile on your young daughter’s face, the flowers that are growing in your garden. You can let it be anything at all. The only feature is that the moment you think about it, your heart opens. Maybe your body relaxes. It can be something big or small. Size doesn’t matter, just the quality of your experience.

Place the cards/pieces of paper side by side, with what you’re anxious about on the left.

Now, look at what makes you anxious or nervous for 7 seconds. Yes, that’s right, 7 seconds. No more and no less. This is important! When you train your brain, you must create a context of certainty and clarity. That keeps your brain from getting confused.

Next, look at what you’ve written on the gratitude card. Focus upon this for 17 seconds. Neurophysiologically, this gives your brain time to shift mood states. As you focus upon your gratitude item, notice your body sensations. Has there been a shift in your breathing, in the area around your heart?

This is one repetition. You want to do three repetitions that constitute a “set.” Complete three “sets” per day for at least one week using the same cards.

One reason it’s important to practice these sets:

In consciously telling your brain where to focus your attention, and for how long, you are systematically shifting your relationship with it.

Look at it this way: in directing your brain to change from one emotional state to another, you’re creating an experience of what Julian Rotter, PhD called Internal Locus of Control (ILOC).

People with high ILOC know that they are authors of their own experience. In his research in the 1960s, Rotter found that people with high ILOC tend to be happier, more successful, and believe that they generally have control over their life. They also showed less risk of developing burnout.

On the other hand, those with External Locus of Control (ELOC) usually experience themselves as being the victims of fate. They believe that there’s little that they can do to change situations or circumstances. This makes them more prone to stress-related illness and burnout.

The points above regarding burnout are important to us in looking at how to disrupt anxiety. Chronic anxiety is one of the recognized causes of burnout. The brain gets tired of trying to fight off these thoughts and feelings. It finally throws its imaginary hands in the air and says: “Stop! I Can’t take any more of this!” However, you can come to your brain’s rescue by gaining control over where it’s focused.

Research shows that it is possible to teach people to increase their ILOC. With this protocol, you are gaining mastery over your brain by training it to gather the thoughts you want it to think. It is possible that, by doing this, you are raising your own ILOC. In other words, you are showing your brain that you, in fact, are the alpha. And that, by all accounts, feels good!

Following this exercise, take a moment to thank your brain as well as your body for going through this training with you. You might wonder if that will make a difference. In my experience, as well as that of others, this form of self-acknowledgment creates a warm and gentle response.

A number of years ago I was talking with Jill Bolte Taylor, author of the bestselling book My Stroke of Insight, who told me that our body contains trillions of sentient cells — cells that are able to perceive or feel things. She said that she frequently acknowledges all those cells by saying something out loud, like: “Good going, girls!” And she can feel the response. It was one of the practices that helped her heal from her fairly massive stroke.

Since our talk, I’ve noticed that every time I thank my body or brain for something, I “feel” a reaction. Like a moment of lightness around my heart. You might want to try it out for yourself!

During the time you’re building your brain’s ability to focus where you want it to go, you might find anxiety “breaking through” from time to time. When this happens, say to your brain the following: “It’s ok. We’re going to look at anxiety later on today. You don’t need to concentrate on it right now. I promise we’ll look at it later.”

Talk to your brain. Be compassionate with it. It is learning a new skill set and it takes time to master any new skill. However, in answering it back, you’re developing a relationship with your brain that’s based upon mutual trust. This may sound counterintuitive and a bit “out of the ordinary,” but try it. Remember: your brain is an organ that, once trained, will partner with you more easily on your hero’s journey because you are treating it with dignity and respect.

How to build your skill over time

Practice the above sessions 3 times per day for 1 week. During the second week, see if you need to change anything on either of your cards. For example, you might find that you’re no longer anxious about what you initially wrote. See if there is something else that creates anxiety and use it to create the 7-second focus experience. Or, you may discover that it’s no longer necessary to focus upon the anxiety-creating card at all. If this is the case, simply focus upon that for which you feel grateful for the same number of sessions. Keep track of any change of mood over time. If you truly wish to develop this as a habit, practice this gratitude-only format for 30 days.

The final step of this protocol: find ways to experience gratitude on a daily basis.

This article describes only a small portion of what it means to partner with your brain to disrupt anxiety with gratitude. After you have finished, and possibly while you’re looking for something upon which to focus your brain, let me give you one of the most powerful ways to do it. Watch this video: A Good Day with Brother David Steindl Rast.

Brother David has mastered the art and science of gratitude. This 5-minute video takes you on a journey to discover gratitude in everyday living. You can do no better than to treat yourself, and your brain, to his healing words of wisdom. I suggest that, following your work with the Gratitude Protocol, you will be in the optimal place to benefit from his words.

Let me know what you think about the Gratitude Protocol by contacting me at acecoachtraining.com. Thank you!

Dr, Maria Nemeth

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