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Ever since I was a child, drinking has been a part of my life.&nbsp;Alcohol was big part of my family dynamic even in the early years. I’ll never forget some of the camping trips and holidays that were tainted by booze.Alcohol started to become a problem for me personally in high school.&nbsp;I’ve never considered myself an alcoholic but I did go out with my friends and binge drink on the weekends.Countless nights clubbing, festivals and multiple day “benders” were normal for me in my early 20’s.I remember trying to quit drinking multiple times before I was successful.I would tell myself I’m going to stop every Monday and then by the time Friday rolled around, it was the same problem over and over again.I’d get carried away and fall straight back into the bad habits.This would lead to anxiety and even depressive periods that would leave me in a pit of self hatred wondering why I couldn’t just get my shit together.In 2018 when I was 25 years old, after a long term relationship breakdown, getting fired from my corporate job in Sydney Australia and a deep depression, I finally made the commitment to stop drinking for a full year.I ended up doing 363 days without a drink which is a funny story I’ll share with you a bit later on.Now I’m 32 and life looks a lot different these days. I have a wife and 2 kids, I run a business helping people with their mindset and anxiety, and I am the healthiest and happiest I’ve ever been.I want to share with you some of the key lessons I learned when I quit drinking for a year because that time of my life really set me up for the success I’ve experienced in my 30’s so far.If you prefer to watch you can check out the video version here:<figure id="figure-nf9q6f77xmmfdmnyeq"><iframe id="nf9q6f77xmmfdmnyeq" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vFeWQyXDLgc" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFeWQyXDLgc" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vFeWQyXDLgc" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><a data-mce-href="https://youtu.be/vFeWQyXDLgc" href="https://youtu.be/vFeWQyXDLgc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">I Quit Alchohol For 363 Days. Here's What I Learned...</a> 1. Commitment is key.2. The hardest part.3. Social media accountability.4. Confidence and clarity.5. Going out sober.6. A new understanding of choice.Let’s start at the beginning…<h2>1. Commitment is key. </h2>One of the biggest lessons I learned when I stopped drinking for a year was the power of commitment. I had tried to quit drinking before but I never committed.There’s really something to be said about the power of making a decision and sticking to it.If you can’t commit to your decisions, you’re fucked.You’ve gotta be able to draw a line in the sand and stand by it.This isn’t always easy. Like I said, I had tried multiple times in my early 20’s to quit drinking and I failed multiple times.However I kept persisting with the goal of getting sober and finally, it happened.Looking back, that single decision to quit for a whole year was the game-changer.Then my relentless commitment to overcome my impulses and stick to my guns helped me get through the hardest part…<h2>2. The hardest part.</h2>The hardest part for me was the first month.The first 30 days of temptations were definitely the most challenging.I actually made the commitment to stop drinking when I was overseas in South America.After the relationship breakdown and job loss I mentioned earlier, I decided to book a ticket to Argentina and embark on a solo mission to Antarctica.Yep, you read that correctly, when I was 25, I went on a solo trip to Antarctica.<figure id="figure-yeyoshyi7dmfdjthuo" class=""><img id="yeyoshyi7dmfdjthuo" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2bHXpB3byhNe5grDhfSx3aLjXzYP5FlYfac4vbJkUYjsDWbMsiWV0pb0PtmJ9UGU.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: 50% 100%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="3:2" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="100%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2bHXpB3byhNe5grDhfSx3aLjXzYP5FlYfac4vbJkUYjsDWbMsiWV0pb0PtmJ9UGU.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: 50% 100%;"></figure>I had a goal to hit all 7 continents by the time I was 25 and Antarctica was the final frontier.That’s a tale for another time but to cut a long story short, on the boat to Antarctica, there were a bunch of young Aussies.We ended up getting absolutely plastered on the 2-day trip back to South America and I vividly remember when we got back to land, I was standing in the middle of the road with barely any money left, no girlfriend, no job and I had just completed what was meant to be the best trip of my life, and I was just severely hungover.That was when I made the commitment to stop drinking.The thing was, I still had a few weeks in Argentina before I came home and they love red wine and steak over there.It took a lot of determination to not have any wine while I was eating at steakhouses with some my fellow travellers but I did it.&nbsp;I made it over that 1-month hump and got back to Australia ready to complete my mission of 1 year sober.The next lesson I learned was the power of social accountability.<h2>3. Social media accountability.</h2>During my 12-months sober, I documented every month with a “social media check in”.I would make a post on instagram to mark every month I had stuck to my commitment.If you go back through my page you can probably still find those posts…1 month sober2 months sober3 months soberIt was amazing how much this actually helped me to stick to my plan.I knew everyone was watching me so I didn’t want to fuck it up.For a lot of people, social media is a really toxic and negative thing.I personally think it can be a great tool if it’s used properly.Using it to document your journey, keep yourself accountable and confront your fears is a very positive way to use it.Comparing yourself to others highlight reels is not.That’s just my two cents as someone who has utilised the power of social media to my advantage over the years…Again, it all comes down to your own self control, discipline and commitment.<h2>4. Confidence and clarity.</h2>One of the things that stops people from succeeding with going sober is the fear of judgement from others.I know that was the case for me, my whole social environment was built on drinking and so to stop drinking was like to become an outcast.There’s a real deep sense of “belonging” that influences a lot of our behaviour as humans without us realizing it.When you go against the grain, it’s like you’re going against the tribe and biologically, going against the tribe is kinda like suicide.It’s like you’re getting thrown out into the unknown and you’re all alone with no safety.That’s the unconscious narrative anyway (even if it’s not really true).Thoughts like…<ul><li>“What will they think of me?”</li><li>“Will they think I’m a loser?”</li><li>“Everyone else is doing it, maybe I should just do it”</li><li>"I don’t want to be a loser”</li><li>“I don’t want to be a vibe kill”</li></ul>These thoughts are just the surface of a deeper sense of not belonging to the tribe.In my experience, when you actually own your decision, it’s the exact opposite.I’ve put that last statement in bold and underlined because you have to have the confidence to own your decision.If you’re not confident in your decision, people can smell it on you and you can become a target.When you are confident in your decision, there’s like an energetic shield which comes over you.I was committed to my decision so when I went out people would come up to me and tell me how inspiring it was for them that I went sober.It wasn’t uncommon for me to get drunken rants from strangers about how they wanted to go sober as well.Or I would see them visibly withdraw into feelings of guilt and shame.You could literally see their body language change when I confidently stated I was sober.It was this clarity and confidence that kept fuelling the fire of my sobriety journey.<h2>5. Going out sober. </h2>A common misconception about going sober is that you become a hermit who doesn’t go out. This was not my experience at all.I wanted to continue going out with my friends so I went to clubs, pubs and festivals, completely sober.It was fun.Watching people drunk is pretty funny. It’s wild some of the shit people do when they’re pissed.As a guy in my mid 20’s at the time, going out sober was incredible for my confidence.I would try to pick up girls sober and I would quite often get rejected.That actually helped my confidence so much because I learned it doesn’t really matter if you get rejected.And after I got used to being rejected, I actually became LESS awkward.So in the end, I became way more confident and attractive.Let’s just say, the year I was sober was a great year for my dating life.<h2>6. A new understanding of choice.</h2>At the start of this, I mentioned I went sober for 363 days.You would think that I would have wanted to go for the fully 365 days right?Well on the last few days, I went for a camping trip with 2 of my best mates at the time.We did some amazing hikes and explored some of the beautiful natural areas north of Sydney.One day, after a massive day-long hike and visit to some waterholes, we got back to our Airbnb and they cracked open the beers.At this point, I was 363 days into my sobriety journey.I made a conscious choice to enjoy a beer with my mates.I ended up having a few (3) beers that night and I didn’t regret it at all.<figure id="figure-hzp3hetkpsmfdk9489" class=""><img id="hzp3hetkpsmfdk9489" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/26oYD8VvyNyjouDlS9GP8rzWdMozuBLG9x1qliuCAeaMYD6r99xwH4jzU9CPpWdW.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="My first beer after 363 days sober." data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/26oYD8VvyNyjouDlS9GP8rzWdMozuBLG9x1qliuCAeaMYD6r99xwH4jzU9CPpWdW.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">My first beer after 363 days sober.</figcaption></figure>Over that 12-month period I had completely reshaped my relationship with alcohol, I had created new levels of self confidence and I was totally at peace with my decision to have a drink.I had done the work and I was proud of myself.That was nearly 6 years ago now and I can confidently say that I have never had any issues with drinking since then.Do I drink now?&nbsp;Yes I do. I drink at celebrations with my family. I sometimes have a few drinks with our neighbours and for friends' birthdays.But these days, it’s usually only a couple with the rare occasion of a big night (like my sisters wedding earlier this year).I really believe taking a year off alcohol can completely reshape your relationship with alcohol, drinking and yourself and I highly recommend it for anyone considering it.It worked for me and the lessons I learned will last a lifetime!Plus, now I know if I ever wanted to quit again, I could easily do so and that mindset is priceless.Are you looking for help with your mindset, habits and discipline? I offer self development coaching and mentorship services.Here are a few ways you can work with me:1. You can <a data-mce-href="https://www.skool.com/conscious-creator/about" href="https://www.skool.com/conscious-creator/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Join Mind Launch</a> on our monthly membership and get access to all the tools, methods, resources and frameworks that have helped 100's overcome anxiety, stress and emotional reactivity in a self-paced way.2. You can <a data-mce-href="https://mindlaunch.com.au/" href="https://mindlaunch.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">apply to work with me 1:1</a> and get personalized support from me as your private coach.3. Still not sure? <a data-mce-href="https://mindlaunch.com.au/free-training" href="https://mindlaunch.com.au/free-training" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Try this free 15-min training on my website</a>. It’s one of the most popular (and powerful) trainings I’ve ever delivered.If you know you need to change then now is the time to draw that line in the sand and make your decision!With Optimism,Josh

I Quit Alchohol For 363 Days. Here's What I Learned...

Imagine if you were just one belief change away from overcoming anxiety…The real question is, are you willing to change your mind?Because I’m about to tell you exactly what it takes.Changing your thoughts and beliefs is actually very easy.&nbsp;I'll break it down for you in this post in such simple terms that even an idiot could understand.Let’s start with a high level overview to show you the top-down approach:<ul><li>Consciousness</li><li>Thoughts &amp; Beliefs</li><li>Feelings</li><li>Actions</li><li>Results&nbsp;</li></ul>Now let me explain each step so it’s crystal clear.Prefer watching? Click here for <a data-mce-href="https://youtu.be/D5QXvFYZXzM" href="https://youtu.be/D5QXvFYZXzM" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Idiot Proof Way To Change Beliefs &amp; Overcome Anxiety</a>.<figure id="figure-bkitflvo7gmfapc4yz" class=""><iframe id="bkitflvo7gmfapc4yz" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D5QXvFYZXzM" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/D5QXvFYZXzM" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D5QXvFYZXzM" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure>1. First you have consciousness.Consciousness is basically a fancy way of saying awareness and your awareness is primary.What I mean by that is if you didn’t have consciousness (awareness), you couldn’t be conscious of ANYTHING in your life.So consciousness comes first…2. Thoughts and beliefs come next.You are aware of your thoughts and beliefs when you are conscious of them.Most people just “have” thoughts unconsciously and have no conscious control of them.Remember, consciousness comes first, then thoughts happen second.If your thoughts are happening unconsciously, you can’t control them.3. Thoughts create feelings.Your thoughts literally send electrochemical signals from the brain to the body through tiny little neurotransmitters.These neurotransmitters signal hormones and chemical reactions in the body (feelings).Negative thoughts = stress feelings&nbsp;Positive thoughts = happy feelings&nbsp;4. Feelings determine actions.Angry? You’re more likely to be aggressive&nbsp;Happy? You’re more likely to be loving&nbsp;Stressed? You’re more likely to act crazy 5. Actions create results.I don’t think I need to explain this too much.But for the purpose of this activity, think about this statement.“You reap what you sow”6. Results&nbsp;What we all want right?Now here’s the catch…Most people are living backwards.They start from the outside (external) and work from there.&nbsp;They try to change results without addressing beliefs, thoughts, feelings or actions that lead to results.Then they go round and round in circles like an idiot.When you work from the inside out, you address the beliefs, thoughts, feelings and actions which lead to the results&nbsp;This is a better way to work because here’s the kicker.Most of the time we don’t *actually* want the result…We want the feeling we think it will give us.So why not just start there?When you start with your conscious awareness, you can control your thoughts and change your beliefs.When you change your beliefs you can change your feelings.When you start feeling how you actually want to feel, you’ll start creating the life you actually want to be living.Do you want my personal help to overcome your anxiety by changing your beliefs?Here are a few ways to work with me:1. You can <a data-mce-href="https://www.skool.com/conscious-creator/about" href="https://www.skool.com/conscious-creator/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener">join Mind Launch on our monthly membership</a> and get access to all the tools, methods, resources and frameworks in a self-paced way.2. You can<a data-mce-href="https://www.mindlaunch.com.au" href="https://www.mindlaunch.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> apply to work with me 1:1 </a>and get personalized support from me as your private coach.3. Still not sure? <a data-mce-href="https://mindlaunch.com.au/free-training" href="https://mindlaunch.com.au/free-training" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Try this free 15-min training</a> on my website. It’s one of the most popular (and powerful) trainings I’ve ever delivered.Now you've got some options so stop being an idiot and start making some positive changes!With Optimism,Josh

The Idiot Proof Way To Change Beliefs And Overcome Anxiety

During my 5 years as a business owner, I’ve burnt out twice.One time it got so bad that I had to get my wisdom teeth taken out because of all the stress and inflammation.I’m also prone to mouth ulcers when I’m under high levels of stress and I can always tell when burn out is getting close because I get these painful little sores in my mouth.Physical symptoms of mental and emotional stress…Most people think burning out happens when you’re working too hard or too many hours but that’s not necessarily true.In my experience, burn out happens when you’re bringing too much mental and emotional stress into your workWhatever causes burn out, if you’ve experienced it, you know it sucks.Ever since I was 17 years old I have been interested in learning how to live well.I started meditation to help me deal with my mental health at the time.&nbsp;I overcame anxiety, depressive periods and addictions.And now I’ve helped 100’s of others overcome these issues as well.These days, the new beast for me personally is burn out and managing my work load.So that’s what we’re diving into today.The 6 Rules I Follow to Avoid Entrepreneur Burn Out<figure id="figure-mxykz77lo6mf6b4rot" class=""><iframe id="mxykz77lo6mf6b4rot" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JqMUhtcJBJ0" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/JqMUhtcJBJ0" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JqMUhtcJBJ0" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><h2>1. Protect Your Night &amp; Morning Time</h2>Your subconscious mind is wide open before bed and first thing in the morning. If you are checking client messages, emails, social media or anything like that before bed or first thing in the morning, you’re setting yourself up for stress, confusion and failure.I am ruthless about the information I consume before I go to bed. It’s mainly books and a clean wind down period without screens (after the kids are asleep). Sometimes I’ll “plan tomorrow today” so I know exactly what I’m doing the following day.In the morning, it’s meditation and journaling to get clear on my focus for the day and what thoughts I want to be occupying my mind.Then I’ll usually do some form of exercise, running or walking before I start working around 8am. By this point, I’m calm, clear and in a relaxed and focussed state.This makes such a difference compared to days in the past where I’ve woken up, smashed a coffee and got straight into work.&nbsp;The old way is instant stress and pressure on my system.&nbsp;The new way is clarity and a sharp self awareness.<h2>2. Clear Boundaries &amp; Standards</h2>All my notifications on my phone are turned off. This pisses my wife off sometimes and my friends wonder why they can never get a hold of me but my focus and attention is guarded heavily.My consciousness is sacred.I don’t allow anyone to hijack my mind or my thoughts. The mind is the most powerful tool we have to create the kind of life we want to live and when my mind is scattered, I become scattered.When my mind is clear and focussed, I am clear and focussed.I have no problems saying “no” to people or in some cases, not saying anything.You don’t need to answer everyone or be there for everyone. That’s called being a people pleaser and that’s actually trauma response.&nbsp;You are responsible for your life. They are responsible for their life.This doesn’t mean don’t be kind, caring or compassionate, it means don’t be a pushover.When I’m with my friends and my family, I’m present.When I’m working, I’m working.This is the standard.<h2>3. Lifestyle First</h2>I love my business and I love the work I deliver.But a big part of deciding to run a business was the freedom I knew it could give me.It’s so easy to get lost in running a business and working 12-hours days. I’ve done that and it is not the vibe.I’m interested in building a business that serves the lifestyle I want to live while also serving the customers at the highest level.There’s a little thing called Leverage which is very important to be aware of as a business owner.For example, when I started my business, I would be on back-to-back 1:1 calls with clients from Monday to Friday.&nbsp;Not to mention all the admin, marketing and back end stuff I had to take care of to keep things moving.Back then, I thought I need to be there with my personal time for every single client I have and that way of thinking actually limited me to only being able to help 20-30 people before I started getting too stressed (and burning out).Over the years, I’ve been developing systems for leverage.Now I can help 100’s of people get the same results with less time input from me.This allows me to do less hours at work with more output.I can focus for 2 hours a day and produce highly leveraged work which allows me to also have time to live an incredible life.I’m not saying this is the right move for everyone, but it works for me.&nbsp;<h2>4. Regulation As Strategy</h2>If I’m operating from a stressed out, anxious and pressured state, everything that comes from me is full of stress, anxiety and pressure.This is a shortcut to burn out.We don’t want to burn out.We want peace, presence and purpose.That’s why I start my days with self regulation and I constantly check in with myself during the day to see how I’m feeling.&nbsp;As soon as I start to feel like I’m pushing or applying pressure, I take a break.Usually I can do deep and focussed work for about 90 minutes - 120 minutes before I start to feel like I’m forcing it.Once I get that feeling that I’m operating from pressure instead of pleasure, I’ll get up, go for a walk, have something to eat or just change my environment for a period of time before getting stuck back into it.This helps me to stay regulated and in flow.I’m aware this way of working might seem totally contrary to what most people do and that’s because quite frankly, it is.You’re used to being told to work 9-5 and only leave your desk to take a piss or have a 10-minute food break.I’m working in a totally different way because I don’t want to live how everyone else lives.&nbsp;I want to live a life that actually inspires me and brings me joy.If what you’re doing isn’t working, why don’t you try something else?I can tell you from experience, working with nervous system regulation as a priority has helped me feel so much happier and healthier at work and in life.This requires a certain level of self awareness that most people just don’t have.You have to have a certain depth in your awareness of your body and your feelings.There’s a term for this called “somatic awareness” which is starting to become quite popular.Somatic awareness is basically just awareness of the body and awareness of the subtle energy systems within your physical system.I teach people how to develop this kind of self awareness inside the monthly <a data-mce-href="https://www.skool.com/conscious-creator/about" href="https://www.skool.com/conscious-creator/about">Mind Launch</a> membership.<h2>5. Mindful Exercise, Supplementation, Diet &amp; Sleep</h2>I love going to the gym, going surfing, running and generally being healthy.In 2024, I had a PT and we did a lot of strength training and lifting heavy weights. This was a great experience and I got a lot stronger and a better physique however one thing I became aware of was “over-training”.I noticed that when I was lifting heavy weights 5x per week, my recovery took a hit.My stress levels were higher because my body was under more stress due to the extra energy I was using to recover.I don’t think this is a massive deal but it’s definitely something to be mindful of if you’re prone to burn out.If you’re burning the candle at both ends with long work hours, high impact exercise, poor sleep and a low quality diet, you’re going to suffer.In my experience, doing 2-3 heavy weight sessions per week alongside a couple of cardio sessions (running or surfing) and some walking (10k steps per day) has been optimal for recovery and lifestyle.It really helps to have a clean bed time and wake time as well. For me the 9-5 schedule works best here.Sleep at 9. Up at 5.Or if we have a late night because of the kids, it might end up being sleep at 10, wake at 6.Finally, supplementation has been on my radar more recently. I’m not a doctor or health professional so consult your doctor for your specific needs.What has worked for me though, as a 32 year old male business owner, Husband and Father of 2 kids, is this stack…<ul><li>Zinc &amp; Magnesium (before bed)</li><li>Vit C + Collagen (morning)</li><li>Complex B Vitamins (Beef Liver capsules - morning)</li><li>Raw Honey Water (Sounds weird but has great anti-inflammatory &amp; anti-microbial benefits)</li><li>A healthy diet with simple whole foods (meat, fish, veggies, fruit, rice, eggs, etc)</li></ul>Again, this is just what has worked for me.If you’re gonna try the honey water, get the good honey from the markets, not supermarket shit.<h2>6. Spiritual Filter</h2>The final rule I have for you (which is probably the most important rule) is the “Spiritual Filter”.I’m a big believer that we all have a unique path in life.We all have an intuition that is trying to guide us towards our “Authentic True Self”.&nbsp;When we learn to listen to our intuition and follow our true path, we experience more fulfilment and purpose in life.When we do what we think we “should” do, we often struggle.Most people are living based off conditioning from their family, their parents or their society without ever thinking…“What do I actually want to do with my life?”When you take the time to answer this question, you can gain a lot of clarity.You can start to filter your decisions and choices through this “spiritual” perspective.It’s really about aligning yourself with your own personal values and purpose.The more I have followed my intuition and aligned with my true authentic path, the better life has got.It’s not always been easy. It requires courage and faith. But for me the alternative, a life lived in fear, is just not an option.So that’s my 6 rules for avoiding burn out as an entrepreneur!I hope it’s been helpful and you can draw some inspiration for your own life.If you want to go deeper and get more guidance on how to design your life with calm, clarity and confidence, this is exactly what we do at Mind Launch.I teach people the exact routines, methods and tools to overcome stress, anxiety and burn out quickly.Here are the two ways to work with me:1. You can join <a href="https://www.skool.com/conscious-creator/about" data-mce-href="https://www.skool.com/conscious-creator/about">Mind Launch</a> on our monthly membership and get access to all the tools, methods, resources and frameworks in a self-paced way.2. You can <a data-mce-href="https://www.mindlaunch.com.au" href="https://www.mindlaunch.com.au">apply to work with me 1:1</a> and get personalized support from me as your private coach.Here’s to a life of freedom!With Optimism,Josh

6 Rules I Follow To Avoid Entrepreneur Burn Out

Anxiety is a complex topic and these days there are a lot of differing opinions online so in this article, I plan to give you the no-bullshit, clear and simple path to end high-functioning anxiety.I’m not going to feed you some bullshit quick fix or magic bullet, I’m going to tell you exactly what it takes to overcome anxiety and build your self confidence naturally.If you’re ready for that then lock in for the next few minutes and focus on the information I am about to deliver.#1 "No BS" lesson: If you can’t bring yourself to focus, you’re fucked.I don’t want to hear any excuses about ADHD or whatever other bullshit excuse you’ve got in your back pocket.I guarantee if I checked your phone you would have at least 4+ hours of time focussed on that tiny little device everyday.That is EXACTLY what is fucking with your attention span…So tame the monkey mind and sit still while you consume this information.Here’s what we’re going to cover:<ul><li>Deleting the bullshit myths about anxiety</li><li>Understanding the brain-body connection</li><li>The problem with traditional mental health approaches</li><li>The Mind Launch solution</li></ul>If you prefer to watch, here's the Youtube video:<figure id="figure-l34g6q1pxbmf3hx04m" class=""><iframe id="l34g6q1pxbmf3hx04m" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VRIm9EimDvY" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRIm9EimDvY" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VRIm9EimDvY" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><h2>Deleting all the bullshit myths about anxiety</h2>Anxiety is not a permanent illness or disease, it’s a temporary experience.If you experience anxiety, it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you.It's just a sign you need to address the way you're living your life.The symptoms are not the problem... Negative thoughts, overthinking and spiralling thoughts are just the symptoms, the cause is a dysregulated nervous system, limiting belief systems and a life that is out of alignment with your soulAnxiety is not an outside problem, it’s an inside problem so it needs an inside solution.The truth is that anxiety is a mental, emotional and physiological issue so it needs a holistic mind, body and spirit solution for sustainable change.Oh also... medication and therapy are not the best solutions for mental health issues. Here's why...<h2>Brain-Body Connection (Nervous System, Human Physiology &amp; the Brain on Stress Hormones)</h2>The brain does not operate in isolation so the term “mental health” is actually flawed to begin with.Your brain is intimately connected to the rest of your body through your nervous system and physiology.The nervous system is essentially your body’s information highway, including the brain, brain stem, and spine.It carries tiny electrochemical signals through the body and controls everything from stress responses to heartbeat to the distribution of chemicals and hormones throughout your physical system.This is why when you get anxious thoughts, you often get physical symptoms as well.When you sense a threat in your environment (real or imagined), your brain perceives “danger” and your body prepares to defend itself by activating your nervous system.This triggers the sympathetic mode or the “survival response”.Your body then produces survival hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, helping you move faster and respond to potential danger.This is natural and healthy if there is a “Real Danger” and the nervous system is functioning well.However, if your nervous system is functioning well, you should be able to return to &nbsp;the parasympathetic mode or the “resting state”.The problem for most people with anxiety is that their nervous system isn’t working well, meaning they can’t easily return to their natural resting state.When your nervous system stays in a heightened state, cortisol and adrenaline levels stay high in your body and your brain suffers.The executive function in your prefrontal cortex, the part responsible for rational thinking, becomes impaired.In simpler terms, the top of your brain near your forehead (the prefrontal cortex) is where rational thinking happens.When you’re anxious, that part of your brain shuts down, and activity shifts to the survival or emotional center, the amygdala, toward the back of the brain near the stem and closer to the spine.This explains why you can’t “think your way out” of anxiety.&nbsp;Your rational brain is literally being hijacked by your emotional brain.&nbsp;There is even a term for this coined by the father of emotional intelligence, Daniel Goleman, called “The Amygdala Hijack”.So by now, you might be wondering, how do I actually make the necessary changes?Well it’s definitely not by taking medication to numb your emotions or just by talking about your problems forever with a therapist.<h2>The Problem with Modern Society &amp; “Mental Health”</h2>In today’s fast-paced world, stress levels and expectations are at an all-time high.We’ve built cultures of constant comparison and “keeping up.” We live in noisy cities, chase career progression, push financially, and try to juggle family life, all while pretending to have it all together.This constant pressure creates heightened stress and nervous system dysregulation.It’s no wonder mental health issues are skyrocketing in the West. The problem? We don’t have enough accessible education about how the nervous system and brain truly work.This is vital information that should be taught in schools. Instead, most people remain confused, seek quick fixes, and fall into the hands of an industry that thrives on keeping people dependent.This is what I am aiming to deliver in this blog post, clear information to help you understand the issue.Now I’m going to give you the No Bullshit Solution you can actually implement.Most people just don’t have the right answers or guidance.They’re told to turn to doctors, drugs, or the government for solutions.Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies profit massively from the confusion. There’s not as much money in teaching you to heal yourself, but that’s exactly what I am here to do…<h2>The Mind Launch Solution</h2>Over the past 15 years, I’ve dedicated myself to understanding the “inner world” of humans, our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and the nervous system that connects them all.This mission is deeply personal. I’ve faced mental health struggles in my own life and family. It’s an issue close to my heart, and it’s why I created the Mind Launch Method.Here’s the 3-step Mind Launch Method:1. Regulate the nervous system – reduce stress and anxiety in the body quickly.2. Reprogram the subconscious mind – change your belief systems and thought patterns.3. Reset your emotional response – respond to emotions in a healthy way, instead of suppressing, avoiding or blowing up.As I mentioned, this isn’t a quick fix.It’s not a magic pill.&nbsp;It requires you to put in the work, but it works.I’ve helped over 250+ people through this method with a very high success rate.I typically see transformative breakthroughs with my clients within the first 3-6 months of implementing the habits, routines and methods at Mind Launch.Once people “get it”, everything changes.Anxiety is no longer a problem.You develop a new way of thinking.You learn new tools to control your mind and your emotions.It’s kinda like saying, “once you see it, you can’t unsee it”.It’s really like that, once you have that “aha” moment through putting into practice the work I teach people, you never have to worry about your anxiety again.You know how to deal with it and you’ve finally put an end to the never-ending cycle of high-functioning anxiety.I believe everyone would benefit from being equipped with these tools.<h2>Proof It Works</h2>Here’s what Matt, one of my business owner clients, recently had to say:“I started with Josh approximately 5 months ago within the Mind Launch community. I was stuck in a rut with ongoing anxiety and overthinking. Being a busy business owner with two young kids, I needed change.After joining Mind Launch, I achieved a huge amount of self-reflection and learned practical tools to combat negative thoughts. My biggest takeaway was the meditation and 1:1 coaching with Josh himself.&nbsp;I now feel fantastic and look forward to continuing to grow and move forward into the future. I’m very grateful to have met Josh and couldn’t recommend him any higher.”&nbsp;— Matt SymonsHigh-functioning anxiety is not who you are… it’s a pattern running your brain and nervous system.&nbsp;When you regulate, reprogram, and reset, you return to your natural state of calm, clarity, and confidence.<h3>Want Help?</h3>If you are wanting some support, accountability and guidance to find freedom from anxiety and build your self confidence naturally, here are two options to work more closely with me:1. You can join the <a data-mce-href="https://www.skool.com/conscious-creator/about" href="https://www.skool.com/conscious-creator/about">Mind Launch Community</a> and get access to all the tools, methods, resources and frameworks in a self-paced way.2. You can <a data-mce-href="https://www.mindlaunch.com.au" href="https://www.mindlaunch.com.au">apply to work with me 1:1</a> and get personalized support from me as your private coach. I look forward to helping you transform your life!With Optimism,Josh

The Complete "No BS" Guide To End High-Functioning Anxiety

One of the most common things I hear my clients struggling with is their “negative thoughts” and "overthinking".If you’ve ever been told “don't worry about it” or “do some deep breathing” you already know how empty that advice feels.You wake up already stressed, negative thoughts start flooding in, and even though you’re aware of them, you still get sucked into the spiral.Here’s the truth: awareness alone won’t stop negative thinking.&nbsp;If your mind is in the wrong state, you’re just watching yourself get dragged along for the ride.The good news? You can change that.In this article, I’m going to break down how to get back in control of your mind.If you’d prefer to watch instead of read, here’s my latest Youtube Video:<a data-mce-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ4R0wgf_FA&amp;t=1017s" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ4R0wgf_FA&amp;t=1017s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Here’s How I Would Stop Negative Thoughts By The End Of 2025 (Copy Me)</a><figure id="figure-bdvrpgg00emeus2jcf" class=""><iframe id="bdvrpgg00emeus2jcf" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PQ4R0wgf_FA" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ4R0wgf_FA&amp;t=1017s" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PQ4R0wgf_FA" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><h2>The Trap of “Self Awareness”</h2>Self awareness is extremely helpful, but not enough to change by itself.Plenty of people say they’re “self-aware,” yet they’re stuck in the same loops of anxiety and stress.Why?&nbsp;Because they’re operating in what the late great Bob Proctor called the “deductive state”.Bob is a hall of famer when it comes to “Self Development &amp; Mindset” and I’ve recently been studying his work.The deductive state is where your conscious mind isn’t filtering what’s coming in properly.Your conscious mind is wide open, and every thought or piece of negativity goes straight into your subconscious mind.That’s why self awareness without a plan often backfires: you notice the thoughts, but you don’t know how to stop them from sinking deeper into your subconscious.<h2>Conscious vs. Subconscious Mind (Explained Simply)</h2> Think of your mind as having two parts:Conscious mind: where self awareness and reasoning happen.Subconscious mind: the storehouse of memories, beliefs and identity, most of which were conditioned into you during childhood and your earlier life.When you were a kid, your conscious reasoning wasn’t fully online. So whatever ideas, beliefs, or emotions surrounded you went straight into your subconscious.If you haven’t consciously changed it, that subconscious programming still runs today.Which means if you’re not using your mind effectively now, you’re still living on autopilot and that’s why you could be stuck in a loop of constant stress, anxiety and negative thoughts.<figure id="figure-k8iao1s4llmeus5nlp"><img id="k8iao1s4llmeus5nlp" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2feWybAHqpHVVk8z7C2BFltVgUyBEdzjSAhfd5rjPWH4DqxXBSvyU545AWuy7AAN.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="3:2" data-caption="My Interpration of the Model Bob Proctor used which was actually created my Dr Thurman Fleet, the founder of " data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2feWybAHqpHVVk8z7C2BFltVgUyBEdzjSAhfd5rjPWH4DqxXBSvyU545AWuy7AAN.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: undefined undefined;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">My Interpration of the Model Bob Proctor used which was actually created my Dr Thurman Fleet, the founder of "Concept Therapy" in 1934</figcaption></figure><h2>What Happens If You Stay In The "Deductive" State</h2>If you wake up and immediately feel stressed, pressured, or anxious, that’s your subconscious dumping old conditioning straight into your body.And because you’re in a deductive state, you accept those thoughts without question.Over time, the negativity compounds. For months it might feel like “just a little stress,” until one day it erupts into anxiety attacks, burnout, or depression.I’ve seen this with hundreds of people and I’ve experienced it myself.<h2>Shifting Into An "Inductive" State</h2>The opposite of the deductive mode is the inductive mode.This is when your conscious reasoning is online. Instead of just absorbing, you start questioning:Is this thought even true? Do I need to believe this right now? Does this idea serve the life I want to live? When you move into this state, you stop being a passive receiver of thoughts and start being an active filter.&nbsp;This is the moment you begin reprogramming your subconscious.Now let me break down exactly how I do this with my clients.<h2>The Mind Launch Method</h2>3 Simple Steps to Reprogram Your MindBob Proctor popularized the idea of “thinking into results.”What I’ve built on top of that and what I teach inside my coaching program is a simple routine to put this into practice called the Mind Launch Method.Step 1: Clear The Mind You must protect your mental space. Stop waking up and scrolling. Instead, start your day with intentional time carved out for yourself and your mind before facing the world.Step 2: Calm The Body Develop the habit of observing your thoughts. Don’t fight them. Don’t run from them. Just notice them. This helps you to move into inductive awareness.Step 3: Create A New Mindset Choose new thoughts daily and on purpose. Write them down. Speak them out. Not to “manifest a million dollars” (although you could do that if you wanted) but to create a stable baseline of clarity and calm.<h2>Creating a “Floor” for Calm and Confidence</h2>Without a routine, you don’t have a “floor”.Stress hits at work, and you collapse into it because you’ve got no baseline.With a morning practice, you’ve already set your reference point.No matter what happens during the day, you can come back to it.&nbsp;That’s how you stay grounded instead of reactive.<h2>Grow or Decline: The Universal Law at Play</h2>Nothing in the universe stands still. You’re either moving forward or backward. Growing or declining.Skip the daily practice and you slip into negative momentum.Stay consistent with the Mind Launch Method, and every day your subconscious shifts a little more toward calm, clarity, and confidence.This isn’t about perfection. It’s about direction.<h2>Final Thoughts</h2>Awareness is a good start, but it’s not the finish line.If you want to stop negative thoughts, you need to move beyond noticing them.You need to filter them, question them, and choose what goes into your subconscious from this point forward.That’s the real work. And it’s worked for the 250+ business owners and professionals I’ve worked with over the last 5 years.If what you’re currently doing isn’t working, why not try what we’re doing?If you’re a business owner or professional who wants to create a more calm, confident and clear life in the next 30-90 days, there’s two ways to work with me.<ul><li><a data-mce-href="https://www.mindlaunch.com.au" href="https://www.mindlaunch.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here to apply for private 1:1 coaching with me personally.</a> </li><li><a data-mce-href="https://www.skool.com/conscious-creator/about" href="https://www.skool.com/conscious-creator/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here to join the Mind Launch Membership.</a></li></ul>Either way, you’re going to get access to proven and tested systems to transform anxiety into alignment and I guarantee you’ll find more peace, presence and purpose in your life.The real question is… are you ready to change?

Why Awareness Alone Won’t Stop Your Negative Thoughts

Hey guys, it's Josh and I just finished putting the final touches on a brand new Anxiety Transformation Masterclass<ul><li><a data-mce-href="https://mindlaunch.com.au/free-training" href="https://mindlaunch.com.au/free-training">​You can watch it here.​</a> I'm calling it the Ultimate Guide to Anxiety Transformation in 2025.</li></ul>If you're reading this then I'm going to presume you want to transform your anxiety once and for all.You're tired of being bombarded with useless and confusing information about what you need to do to manage your anxiety.If that's the case, I can help by cutting out all the noise and focussing in on the One Big Domino that makes everything else tumble - your thoughts.If you'll give me 49-minutes of your time, I will break down what you need to work on in a way that makes it so easy and so simple to understand. I'll give you a crystal clear roadmap that takes the guess work out of transforming your anxiety.How would that impact your life?If you knew exactly what was going on with your anxiety, your mind and your nervous system, would that make it easier for you to manage and overcome the mental, physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety?To tell you exactly how this works, I just need a little bit of your attention so set aside some time and go watch this video.I will not let you down.I know what you might be thinking..."How do I know who to trust?"OR"Can I actually trust this guy?"​ I get it and I'm just going to level with you.It's not about trusting me.It's about you trusting yourself to make the decision to change.I'm not going to pretend to be your saviour, it's your responsibility to make those changes.However for arguments sake, check out what my client Elijah recently had to say about working with me...<figure id="figure-mi3r20yo1bm8edgrnq"><img id="mi3r20yo1bm8edgrnq" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/94JFourIUkV9Tgu9bJrJuyq1YGZHCkq7hIcfOb2OlEDi3LxGtFjzHJdh6Z72TF78.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 65% undefined%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="65%" data-positiony="undefined%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/94JFourIUkV9Tgu9bJrJuyq1YGZHCkq7hIcfOb2OlEDi3LxGtFjzHJdh6Z72TF78.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 65% undefined%;"></figure>&nbsp; Sound too good to be true?That's what Elijah thought before he joined as well but he decided to back himself and has experienced incredible success with his mindset, career and relationships since.All Elijah had to do was follow along with the amazingly simple routine I set for him and he was able to build his confidence, gain a positive mindset and master his emotions.He didn't have to spend hours doing course work and he didn't even need to show up to the weekly coaching calls.I'm sure he won't mind me saying this but he honestly did the bare minimum AND STILL saw awesome results.It took me years to figure this stuff out but now I have refined it down to such a simple art that anyone who has the will to change can make transforming anxiety as simple as A, B, C.The thing is, without this <a data-mce-href="https://mindlaunch.com.au/free-training" href="https://mindlaunch.com.au/free-training">Anxiety Transformation Masterclass</a>, you're fucked.You'll just go back to your default setting and you'll just keep repeating the same patterns over and over again.It's not your fault, it's your neurology... the way your brain is wired.I'll let you in on a little secret that very few people know...Your thoughts are neurons firing in specific patterns in your brain. Dominant thoughts create neural pathways through a process called neuroplasticity which makes certain (negative) thoughts habitual.This means if you have a default or automatic way of thinking negatively, it becomes a pathway in your brain and your brain will always take the path of least resistance.If you don't CHOOSE to change by making an INTENTION to do something different, you'll just stay stuck in the same pathways / programs of thoughts you've always had.That's why you need to Shift Your Consciousness.You might be wondering "if this works so well then why haven't I heard of it before?"Well, to be frank, the system we live in doesn't want you to know this stuff because if you do, they can't control you.Most people struggle with stress and anxiety, it's almost considered normal to struggle with these issues nowadays.If most people struggle and there's no mainstream solution that works, why are you still doing what everyone else does?What I am teaching you in this masterclass has personally changed my life in quite dramatic ways.I went from being broke, single, living on a farm, smoking weed everyday, just 5 years ago.To running a successful multi 6-figure business, getting married, buying my dream car, moving into our dream house and going completely sober.All by shifting my consciousness - and that's exactly what I teach you in the <a data-mce-href="https://mindlaunch.com.au/free-training" href="https://mindlaunch.com.au/free-training">Anxiety Transformation Masterclass.​</a>Imagine you learned how to shift your consciousness and you totally transformed your stress and anxiety.Picture yourself right now as the healthiest, happiest and calmest version of yourself possible.Imagine yourself totally free of worries, doubts and insecurities.How would that impact your relationships, your work and your life in general?If you'd like me to personally help you make this a reality then go watch the masterclass.​It's free to view (but pretend you paid $1,000 for it because it's worth that + more)By the end of it, you'll have a clear, no bullshit roadmap for transforming anxiety once and for all.But what you're really getting isn't just freedom from anxiety, you're getting your life back.You're gaining confidence and you'll tap into your superpowers.You'll get the master key for creating a life of calm, happiness and limitless success.All you need to do is go watch the video and focus, it's not over-complicated and it won't overwhelm you.Sit down for 49-minutes with a pen and paper, put your phone away and take notes.<a data-mce-href="https://mindlaunch.com.au/free-training" href="https://mindlaunch.com.au/free-training" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">This could be the most important video you watch in your life.</a>With Optimism,Josh

The Blog

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The Complete "No BS" Guide To End High-Functioning Anxiety

Why Awareness Alone Won’t Stop Your Negative Thoughts

Ultimate Gude to Anxiety Transformation in 2025