DO LESS TO DE-STRESS

Use these tips to change your mindset, and you will have a much easier time at work.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

GABRIELLE BERNSTEIN is a speaker and the best-selling author of seven books. Super Attractor comes out September 24. 

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In her new book, Super Attractor, GABRIELLE BERNSTEIN lays out a simple plan for creating the life of your dreams. Listen in as she explains how DOING LESS HELPS YOU DE-STRESS and achieve more. 

MENTAL SHIFT

The tagline of your new book is “Methods for Manifesting a Life Beyond Your Wildest Dreams.” The idea of manifesting can be polarizing – people are super into it or superwary. What do you think people get wrong about the concept?

People don’t realize they’re already doing it; we’re always doing it. Manifesting is the practice of aligning your energy with what you desire. Embody the feeling and belief in your desires, and you become a magnet for them. When we focus on the positive, we bring more momentum to what we do want. It can work against us, though. When we’re stuck in a negative story, we create more negativity. It’s the difference between thinking that nothing ever works out for me and everything is working out for me. When you’re in the second mind-set, you’re calmer, happier, less stressed. And your energy attracts its likeness. 

MAKE LIFE FUN

In the book you talk about doing less to get more. Can you explain what you mean?

It’s about not trying so hard. Many of us have this idea of “no pain, no gain.” But if your focus is “I have to work incredibly hard to succeed,” you may achieve a significant amount, but you’ll always burn out. I’ve learned that you can focus on enjoying life and still reach your goals. If you shift your mindset to “How can I make this fun?” your energy changes. You might do half the amount of work but have a better impact because your energy is more positive. Or you might put in more work, but it feels easier because you’re taking the action from a happier place.

It sounds easy, but in practice it can be hard to stay positive when you’re stressed or feeling stuck. Any tips?

I do this thing called choosing again. I’ll ask myself, What’s the best thought I can find right now? For example, I was recently diagnosed with postpartum anxiety. I could go straight into victim mode, thinking, Life sucks; things are bad. Or I can think, I caught it early. I have so much support. I can speak about this and help other people. I reach for any thought that’s slightly more positive that I can believe, and I run with it. 

DON’T OVERTHINK IT

Is there a mistake people o­ften make when they start manifesting?

It’s really hard to stop trying so hard. People can fall into this trap of what I call manic manifesting, when you’re obsessing over meditating on your vision every second of every day. Your energy is frantic. It’s backed by fear and uncertainty. “I’m going to manifest so hard!” Right. If you’re falling into that trap, sometimes what you need to do is nothing. Stop thinking about it altogether, and think about anything else in your life. Focus on the good. 

TEXT MIREL ZAMAN ILLUSTRATIONS DAMIEN CUYPERS