I’m excited to have Mandy Napier on the show today! Mandy Napier is a Transformational Mindset Coach at Mindset for Success.
Known as the ‘Mindset Alchemist,’ Mandy Napier is a Global Mindset & Peak Performance Coach, Speaker, Educator, and Author of ‘Creating Healthy Life Habits’. Mandy coaches high achieving driven professionals and individuals who have a desire and commitment to live life as the best version of themselves. She is adept at helping them clear their hidden programs and self-sabotaging patterns so they can step up to the next level in their lives. Mandy is a former athlete who has represented Australia in the sport of triathlon, competed in the gruelling Hawaiian Ironman World Championships and spent six years travelling the world with her backpack. From hitch-hiking through Eastern Africa, camping in the Sahara, journeying on the Congo by riverboat, visiting Iran, Pakistan and Myanmar (Burma) and trekking the Himalayas, to name a few places, she believes all these experiences have been integral in establishing and creating her successful business of 12 years, Mindset for Success
Below are some insights from Mandy Napier. Enjoy!
What is your personal definition of success?
My definition of success is defined ultimately by how I feel. A feeling of accomplishment, confidence, peace and happiness.
For me, this is made up of:
* Running a successful and fulfilling business and helping my clients to break through their current results and accomplish their goals
* Challenging myself to accomplish new things and do things differently
* Having great health and keeping fit; knowing I am looking after my body
* Ensuring I make the most of my time and have travel and adventures
* Having a great relationship with my husband, family and a close network of friends
* Serving others
Ultimately knowing I am living a life of meaning, joy and purpose.
Can you share the steps you take daily to improve?
Absolutely:
Morning – this is my time.
This is the most critical part of my day as it sets me up for the rest of the day. I exercise most mornings – in the summer we go to the ocean, swim and catch waves; sometimes I run there or do yoga and gym some evenings.
Coffee at the beach with my husband or at home – healthy breakfast or coffee if intermittent fasting
Then I go to my office – I read my daily quote, connect with my future vision and take a few minutes to plan my day
I have a list of SET TASKS for my day that I do my best to complete daily and score out of 100%
I make sure I stop during the day and re-calibrate. I either go outside and appreciate nature; tend the veggie garden or I sit in my chair and simply breathe for a few minutes to re-set.
At the end of the day, I answer seven simple short questions – I have distilled these so there is NO excuse whatever happens. This helps me take a few minutes to recall my day and see what I did, could have done better and what I must do tomorrow.
And each week I have a set of 10 questions I ask to review my week. This is what helps me keep focused and conscious and in charge of my business and life. And I read or listen to books on audible frequently.
What is your advice for someone making an important decision?
First, it’s helpful to know what this decision is part of – how will the decision impact your life and your goals? Spend a few minutes looking at the costs and benefits and if the options match your values and path. Sometimes asking other people’s advice can be helpful, but ultimately, it’s up to you. Don’t overthink it – you will know if you are doing this if you get stuck and can’t decide. Stop and ask your heart. If your heart feels good, i.e if the energy expands, it probably means this is the decision. And remember you can always make another decision.
Tell me about a specific moment that set you on the path you’re on now?
Three months after I completed the Hawaiian Ironman, my body started to behave in strange ways. Literally, when I was running it was like the muscles in my back were spasming and pulling me back – which made running very difficult. It got worse and then impacted my walking. I started to have chronic pain on the left-hand side of my back. My then physio thought it might be a disc, so she told me I must stop sport and not to race that weekend in one of my favourite triathlons – The Hell of the West – at Goondiwindi. It turned out it wasn’t a disc issue, yet despite seeing many professionals and allied health practitioners no-one could tell me what was going on. When I had a physio give up on me and another one shake their head, I realised I had to look deeper. I have always believed that we create our results, so I realised if I created it, I could dis-create it. So I ventured into the path of personal development and alternative healing modalities. The first step led me to Hawaiian massage and Huna healing, many other interesting courses and modalities from kinesiology to Australian bush flowers, diet and nutrition and eventually to NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) and accelerated learning and behavioural techniques. That was where I got a light bulb moment and realised exactly how to put all my experiences together. Oh and I transformed every area of my life. That was what led me to where I am today.
If you could recommend one book for our audience, what would it be?
I think for me it would be “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. It’s a simple yet profoundly wise philosophy. The agreement I love the most and one I often share with my clients is ‘Don’t take things personally.’ I often remind myself of ‘Be impeccable with your word.’ I am still aspiring to master this one and ensure my words are impeccable.
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- Creating Healthy Life Habits: Easy Tools for Getting Started Now by Mandy Napier
- The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Which character traits do you value most?
For me, they would be authenticity and honesty. So often we put on a mask or fake persona – I am not sure if it’s from my years of personal development and learning, but I can see straight through this. I guess I have never been inspired by fancy cars and designer clothes – I am more about having great experiences and spending time with interesting and inspiring people. Persistence is something I value highly. My motto for many years has been ‘never, ever, ever quit on yourself.’
Empathy is a trait I also value, as well as curiosity, contribution and courage.
Regarding the last one and the courage to do physical challenges, I have done many physical pursuits in my life so I love reading and watching videos about people who have done amazing physical challenges or overcome challenging situations.
How do you push through tough times?
Well, it depends on what we define as tough. As tough for one person isn’t always tough for another!
For me, in business, I just revert to action and remembering why I am doing what I am doing. I know action creates results.
Any physical challenges; well I have a lifetime of sports and adventures so I find that the easiest ones.
When it comes to health or happenings with family or friends I find this is harder. While I am mentally tough, I have learnt that when it comes down to emotional suffering we need to be kind to self, accept you need to slow down, might not function at your best and give yourself time. Sometimes simply sitting with the pain or fear is key and boosting yourself with things you love – good people, music and things you enjoy. For me exercise has always been a great help and leveller, as has connecting with nature, especially the ocean – my happy place.
What inspires you?
Listening to stories about people who have overcome great challenges or done great physical adventures – and what makes people tick and create the level of success they have. Not the stories about how I made a million, and let me show you how I did it – I find many of them a bit fickle. REAL people, REAL STORIES and REAL ADVENTURES!
How do you manage and prioritize opportunities?
Opportunities are everywhere, but sometimes we miss them. A while back I used to jump in and grab lots of opportunities. I think I have learned to take a few minutes to consider them before I jump in now. Other people’s opportunities aren’t always what they appear to be.
So now I carefully consider them and ask is this just to flatter my ego, or will it be collaborative? Will it benefit all parties and is it in alignment with my values and goals. I will also look at what I am currently doing and how much time I will need to commit to the opportunity and if it is the best time right now. If I am given the opportunity to speak for something I am passionate about or care about, I will probably jump in and do it.
What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
Be curious about life and the experiences and people you meet. Ask yourself better questions to see how you can use the learnings from the experience in a different way. Be a ‘thought’ leader, adventurer and live through the lens of curiosity and opportunity. Grab life and live it fully because it truly does seem to speed up as you get older!