Mindset is EVERYTHING

What is Mindset Coaching?

Mindset is everything.

The way you think about yourself and your abilities has a huge impact on your success. If you believe you can do something, you're more likely to actually do it. And if you believe you can't do something, you're more likely to give up before you even try.

So what can you do to improve your mindset? Here are a few tips:

• Focus on your strengths. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Instead of dwelling on your weaknesses, focus on your strengths and how you can use them to your advantage.

• Set realistic goals. When you set goals that are too difficult, you're setting yourself up for failure. Instead, set small, achievable goals that you can build on over time.

• Believe in yourself. This is probably the most important tip of all. If you don't believe in yourself, no one else will either. So start believing in yourself and watch what happens.

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Remember, mindset is everything. If you want to be successful, you need to have the right mindset. So start thinking positively and watch your life change for the better.

image by @seemamiah

Mindset coaching is a type of coaching that focuses on helping people change their mindset. A mindset is a set of beliefs and attitudes that a person holds about themselves and the world around them. Mindset coaching can help people to develop a more positive and empowering mindset, which can lead to improved performance in all areas of life.

There are many different approaches to mindset coaching, but most coaches use a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), positive psychology, and goal-setting. CBT is a type of therapy that helps people to identify and change negative thought patterns. Positive psychology is a field of psychology that focuses on the study of positive emotions, strengths, and well-being. Goal-setting is a process of identifying and working towards specific goals.

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Mindset coaching can be helpful for people who are struggling with a variety of issues, including:

• Low self-esteem

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Stress

• Procrastination

• Lack of motivation

• Performance anxiety

• Goal-setting

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Mindset coaching can also be helpful for people who are simply looking to improve their overall well-being and performance.

If you want to learn more about mindset coaching, many resources are available online and in libraries.

Here are some tips for finding a good mindset coach:

• Do your research. Read reviews and testimonials from other clients.

• Interview several coaches before making a decision.

• Make sure the coach is a good fit for you.

• Be prepared to commit to the process. Mindset coaching takes time and effort.

If you are ready to change your life, mindset coaching may be your right choice. With the help of a qualified coach, you can develop a more positive and empowering mindset that will lead to improved performance in all areas of life.

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Here are some testimonials from clients who have benefited from mindset coaching:

• "Mindset coaching has helped me to change my life for the better. I am now more confident and successful in all areas of my life."

• "I was struggling with anxiety and depression, but mindset coaching has helped me to overcome these challenges. I am now much happier and more content with my life."

• "I was not sure if mindset coaching would work for me, but I am so glad I tried it. It has made a huge difference in my life."

If you are ready to make a change in your life, I encourage you to consider mindset coaching. It may be the best decision you ever make.

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Here are some additional benefits of mindset coaching:

• Improved relationships

• Increased productivity

• Reduced stress levels

• Increased self-awareness

• Enhanced creativity

• Improved decision-making

• Increased motivation

• Increased confidence

• Improved overall well-being

If you are looking for a way to improve your life, mindset coaching may be the right choice for you. With the help of a qualified coach, you can develop a more positive and empowering mindset that will lead to lasting change.

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Mindset coaching is a powerful tool to help you achieve your goals and live more fulfilling lives. It can help you:

• Identify and change limiting beliefs

• Develop a growth mindset

• Set and achieve goals

• Manage your emotions

• Improve your relationships

• Build self-confidence

If you're ready to make a change in your life, mindset coaching can help. Set up a free 15-minute call to get started on your journey.

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Dawn M. Rivers, owner of Daybreak Yoga LLC

Mindset & Business Coach

Path to the Awakened Woman Framework

dawn@daybreakyogallc.com

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3 Changes I made that Awakened My Transformation.

Give me a mic and I’ll share a story.

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3 Changes I made 10 years ago that awakened my transformation.

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10 years ago I was unhappy with my life and myself. I was seeking a way to feel better and heal. There was so much sadness, frustration, and brokenness.

So I began reading every book written by the religious leaders I followed. Yes, every single book. Remember, I was a librarian. I read all the books by Joyce Meyer, Joel Osteen, and T.D. Jakes.

Most of them I borrow and others I bought.

That lead me to read books by psychologists and self help authors, too. I would go to the library, stand in the self improvement section, pick 3-5 books at a time and check them out for three weeks. Then I would go back when I was done reading those to check out more.

I was thirsty for knowledge.

I began to change.  I made 3 major changes that awakened my transformation.

I knew and believed I could live the life of my dreams. I didn’t want to waste any more time on being stuck and sorry. I took action. It required me to work on myself daily. I became relentless.

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1. I changed my mind.

I no longer wanted to fight hard to save the 18 year marriage I was in. I was the only one willing to do so and I was wounded. It was like Fight Club. I fighting myself. I put down the gloves and rested.

Going to therapy, counseling, and changing my network of friends led to real healing.

I no longer wanted to live the way others thought I should live. That was exhausting.

I didn’t want to own a house or have the responsibility of renting one either. I decided to move from a house to an apartment, from the city where I was working to the city where I grew up.

There was a lot of chatter about my choices but I learned to put up boundaries that kept me on track. That brought me so much joy.

The last change was to leave the middle school where I worked to teach in elementary again. I no longer wanted to play it safe or stay where things were easy. I saw myself getting lazy and loosing my creativeness. There was too much chaos and it was time to leave. When I went back to elementary, my creative side flourished. I had fun!

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2. I changed my words.

I spoke so negatively about and over my life for years. I was subdued and downtrodden.

There were lots of lovely moments and experiences including having and raising my amazing children that gave me joy and the desire to become a better woman.

However, in 2012 my mantra was “I hate my life.” I didn’t realize I was meditating on this mindset for years.

But I began reading those dozens upon dozens of books and learned I believed what I said more than what I heard other people say about me.

I declared new words.

I LOVE MY LIFE!

I started saying, “I love my life.” This led to my 42 things for my 42nd year list. I took action by doing things I wanted to do and loved. I went whitewater rafting and skydiving, flew a plane, went to concerts, events and the movies alone, did a high-ropes course, made my bed and read my Bible everyday, plus so much more.

It took a year but it became true, I learned to love my life!

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Worry is meditation.

When your thoughts stay focused on anxiety or stress, the words or ideas repeat over and over creating a negative mindset. This worry becomes a type of mediation.

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3. I changed my vision.

I have a Masters of Library Science Degree and loved sharing resources with PreK-12th grade students. I did so for over 20 years. Libraries changed my life. I learned how to do many things from the free resources found in libraries. It became my vision to share this with others who looked like me.

However things changed again when I became a yoga teacher in 2013. I created Daybreak Yoga that summer, had my first private clients, and started teaching yoga classes around the city. This lead to owning a yoga studio in 2018, quitting my job in 2019, to devising trainings, to hosting retreats, to becoming a Mindset Coach, and impacting thousands of lives.

I had a new vision and I was excited about it!

I took my passion for practicing yoga and turned it into my purpose. I wanted to help people awaken the light within their lives through the healing power and wisdom of yoga.

I shared how the breath can create expansion and settle the nervous system. At Daybreak Yoga, we held more classes online including restorative yoga and Yoga Nidra. During the 2020 pandemic, I saw the need to produce a Beginners Yoga Course and recorded dozens of videos for new yogis to access. In addition, I created the Business of Yoga Academy to help budding entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses.

And maybe more importantly, I continue to study, learn, read, and get coaching myself. I believe the more I know, the more I can share with others.

A New Vision emerged of helping people awaken the light within their lives.

The vision for my life’s purpose changed. In the beginning I was afraid to leave schools to become a full-time entrepreneur but I knew I had to do it. My soul yearned to share my journey with others to help them find happinesses, wholeness, and freedom.

Just like I did.

I believe you can make the transformation to a life you desire. Remember, when you transform, you change into a new version of yourself. There’s no going back!

Try my 3 steps to awaken your life!

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Let me know if you’re ready to awaken! Set up an Awakening Discovery Call to talk more.

My Dad was a dreamer!

He was an only child who played the trumpet, lived life on his terms, and his presence was felt when he walked into the room. 

My dad went to North Carolina A&T, was friends with Jesse Jackson, participated in student protests and marches to bring equity to the city of Greensboro. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi and had friends all over the world.

Full-length Fur Coat!

He was so cool!

I loved Chicago because of my Dad. When I was a kid he drove an orange Mercedes, snapped his fingers as sang along to Soul music while he effortlessly wove through traffic down the Dan Ryan. He wore full-length fur coats & fly suits, cowboy hats & purple lizard-skinned boots, or his beloved African outfits. When he told stories, everyone leaned in to listened. And Dad loved to give advice! 

One of my Dad’s companies Natural Essence Shea Butter

He owned several of his own companies: a magazine, sales & marketing firm (which I worked at one summer promoting hair care products all over Chicago), and shea butter products way before it was a thing. He made connections with the people of West African, especially in Ghana and Mali. They loved him there, too! So much so that he was named a chief in Mali. 

Dad’s final dream came true when he opened Thom’s Turkey in 2009. Everyone loved his smoked turkey and encouraged him to open a restaurant. Sadly he passed away less than two months after its opening. My stepmother, brothers, Tommy & Billy, as well as my niece, Alexa, kept Dad’s dream alive for almost a decade after his death. 

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Dad was a dreamer.

He would say to me all the time that I should be my own boss, have my own business. And I would say, “No Dad, that’s your dream, not mine. I like being a librarian and knowing when my money is coming.”

But yesterday, I got a donation for my #DreamsToReality crowdfunding campaign through IFundWomen from one of my Dad’s favorite nieces, Gwen. She wrote, “Your dad is smiling down and cheering on you!”

That was a full-circle moment. 

My dreams have been to open my own yoga studio, teaching women of color to be yoga teachers, and now have my own branded yoga mat.

I finally realized I am a dreamer, too. Just like my Dad. 

Lost and Found in 2020

I began 2020 with an idea I called “2020 Equals 40 Events.” 

I like themes.  To me, they make life feel more fun. 

One year I wore yellow every day for an entire summer and called it “My Yellow Summer.” It even came to the point that my phone would buzz periodically with notifications from friends all over who had taken photos of themselves in yellow. I smiled as I saw the #MyYellowSummer hashtag show up under their beautiful photos.

I didn’t know about chakras back then and how yellow is the color of the solar plexus and one’s internal power. At the time, I had recently divorced, and my self-esteem was extremely low. In the early stages of “My Yellow Summer”, I found myself frequently visiting my daughter in Washington, DC.

Intrinsically, I felt called to paint my nails yellow...and really that was what started it all. Something in me felt empowered that day-more than I had in a long time. The yellow tones of that summer gave me hope for the future and to close the summer out, I had a party and invited my friends to wear yellow to celebrate with me. 

I started this new chapter by going to museum exhibits, lectures, concerts, and movie premieres. I wanted to showcase our city and encourage women to learn to have fun on their own. 

...And then COVID happened. I was already uneasy because of the loss of income from resigning in the fall of 2019. My yoga studio was seeing fewer numbers from when I first opened in Fall 2018. However, there was a small light at the end of the tunnel. I was looking forward to hosting my first cohort of yoga teacher trainees. Money was tight...extremely tight. I found myself stewing in my nerves and anxiety. I found myself questioning if I had made the right decision to quit my job. On Friday, March 13, 2020, I sat in my office and let myself fall apart and cry. 

Dawn M. Rivers, Lost and Found in 2020

The state of Ohio started closing down businesses and putting in orders for people to stay at home. I decided to close the studio temporarily before the mandate came from the state. I had no idea what I was going to do. I had not planned for this. 

That morning, I sent an email out to the Daybreak Yoga community saying we were closing, and that I would be online with classes starting Tuesday, March 17th. Up until that time, I was already down one teacher and was teaching 70% of our classes in-studio without the extra support. Facing reality, I realized I would be teaching 100% of them online. Eventually, one of my two teachers agreed to teach online from her home.

Teaching Online

Stressed is an understatement. I didn’t know what I was doing or really how to teach yoga online. It was hard to envision the future. Hard to see my way through let alone out.

Daybreak Yoga is in a working-class neighborhood of Bedford, Ohio, where yoga is known as “stretching exercise”. But, my purpose in choosing this location was to bring healing practices to those who needed it most. I was passionate about sharing what I learned with others to help them heal and grow. With the pandemic, it felt as though I lost all of that. I was breaking down. Fear was living with me every day. Sleep evaded me. Doubt had me shackled to failure.

Friends, teachers, and relationships were lost because of this pandemic. 

Income, resources, and hope were lost because of this pandemic.

Lives, livelihoods, and love were lost because of this pandemic.

Then the Black Lives Matter Movement exploded with the death of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. People all over the world noticed the injustices in America. I was asked to share my opinion, be an ambassador, collaborate with other yoga teachers, and folks wanted to support black-owned businesses. My business. 

I was awarded three scholarships this pandemic: advance yoga teacher training, meditation training, best practices for yoga teachers. I connected with the yoga community again but as a student. I learned new ways to meditate. I started to move my body again under the instruction of an international yoga who I admire. I was reminded of my own story of why I came to yoga in the first place. It saved my life, again. 

I found hope again. 

I found my way out.

I found new community.

I remembered my purpose.

I remembered my smile. 

I remembered hope. 

This pandemic has been relentless, and it has shown me that I am resilient. My community has expanded. My resources have, too. What I learn, I share. That has always been my goal as a yoga teacher, a wellness practitioner. 

Originally written for Scare Your Soul’s Lost and Found in 2020 Challenge.

Additional resource:

How to Support Black Lives Matter Online