James Swanwick
James Swanwick
From Negations to Affirmations: What You Focus on Grows - Coach Matt
From Negations to Affirmations: What You Focus on Grows - Coach Matt
From Negations to Affirmations: What You Focus on Grows - Coach Matt
Wednesday 21st May 2025
Coach Matt Gardner shares how shifting from negations to affirmations can transform your alcohol-free journey.
25 minutes
Informative
Inspiring
Supportive
Engaging
Hopeful
About this podcast
Author:
James Swanwick
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Creative Recovery Journeys
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Financial Health in Recovery
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
573 (View all)
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!Flip Your Focus: From Negations to Affirmations with Coach Matt
Episode Overview
- Your brain focuses on images rather than negations.
- Shift from 'don'ts' to positive affirmations for better outcomes.
- Control your focus, words, and breathing to influence mindset.
- Use gratitude journals to combat the brain's negative bias.
- Affirmations can strengthen neural pathways for positivity.
"The brain is like Velcro for bad stuff and Teflon for good."
Ever found yourself caught in the trap of telling yourself 'Don't drink tonight' only to find that your mind is fixated on the very thing you're trying to avoid? In this engaging episode of the Alcohol-Free Lifestyle podcast, Coach Matt Gardner flips the script on negative self-talk, showing how what you focus on can actually expand.
With a light-hearted touch, Matt unravels the mystery of why our brains love to latch onto negatives and how we can turn this around using affirmations. The episode kicks off with the classic example of 'Don't think of a pink elephant' – a playful reminder of how our brains ignore the 'don't' and instead focus on the image.
Matt explains that by shifting our focus from what we shouldn't do to what we want to achieve, we can foster a more positive mindset. He shares three things you can control: your focus, your words, and your breathing. Breathing, often overlooked, is highlighted as a powerful tool to calm the mind and encourage creative thinking. Matt also explores the brain's negative bias, likening it to Velcro for bad experiences and Teflon for good ones.
He encourages listeners to break free from this cycle by consciously choosing gratitude and affirmations. Through simple exercises, Matt demonstrates how changing 'I can't stop thinking about alcohol' to 'I can choose a healthier life' can make a world of difference. If you're looking for practical advice wrapped in a friendly chat, this episode is a must-listen. You'll come away with actionable strategies to shift your mindset and enhance your alcohol-free journey.
So why not give it a try and see what positive changes you can cultivate?