I know, “self-compassion” and “Wall Street Journal” are not two terms you’d expect to see together, but in this case it’s true.

I found this article interesting and helpful because it contains a few practical tips you can employ daily to support yourself. They also point out the breadth of positive effects that result by being a good friend to yourself:

- Greater Happiness
- Age More Gracefully
- Better Health

I also like that it includes a short 4-minute video so you don’t have to read the whole article.

Where I think it falls short is that they talk about “rewiring your brain” for greater self-compassion, but the tips and hints they give don’t really accomplish that.

What does help you rewire your brain? I’m so glad you asked! Our audio programs of course!

If you’re interested in self-compassion (or helping someone you know with that, start with Super Strength Self-Esteem, or take a look at all our titles in the Self-Esteem category.

The post Tips on Self-Compassion from the Wall Street Journal appeared first on Effective Learning Audio.

“Prior to the tapes, I used many “self-help”-style books. Some helped, others not so much, but few had a lasting influence. That all changed with Effective Learning.”

When asked what’s been most helpful, he responds “One bit of specific advice I’ve found helpful is Mark Twain’s quote: ‘Worry is interest paid in advance for a debt you may never owe.’ This and many other quotes are now part of my everyday coping mechanisms for life. Also, the visualization techniques and examples are very useful for day-to-day situations.”

The results for Dorsey have been very encouraging. “The programs have enabled me to increase my focus on positive outcomes. The process of listening for 30 days seems to be an effective way to drive home points about positive approaches to problems. My wife has also benefitted from using the tapes.”

As with many users of the programs, love is at its core. “For me, the programs are a positive reminder of God’s love manifesting externally and perhaps more importantly, within me. I simply have to take time to breathe and notice what is happening in my life. Y’all are truly helping.”

The post Transforming Lives: Dorsey’s Focus on Positive Outcomes appeared first on Effective Learning Audio.

The post Be Happy! appeared first on Effective Learning Audio.

For the next 3 days you can get the CDs for just $15.97 (normally the price is $24.98). And for a digital download which normally sells for $19.98, they are now just $12.97 if you order by Monday July 9th.

Browse the titles today and pick a couple to see how they help you sleep and help you change your life!

Improve Your Life While-U-Sleep

• Free Yourself from Fears, Anxiety, and Worry
• Succeed at Weight Control
• Attract Money and Enjoy Prosperity
• Attract Love Into Your Life
• Sleep Soundly Every Night

Please remember to order by July 9th to enjoy this special pricing.

The post A Birthday Present for You appeared first on Effective Learning Audio.

Right now, somewhere in the world, it’s likely that someone is listening to Bob Griswold’s The Love Tapes. Since 1976, this series of audio self-help programs has helped over a million people reprogram negative thoughts and unleash their potential. When they were first created, the tapes were literally cassette tapes. But the idea of the “tape” also relates to negative messages that become embedded in people’s brains.

“The idea for the Love Tapes came to me when I was jogging one day,” begins Griswold. After working in insurance, theatrical

Bob Griswold, Founder

productions, and rock music promotion, Griswold wanted to make a change in his life. “I had a wife and four children and worked in a stressful business. I had ulcers and migraine headaches and I was looking for answers. I’d read books about positive thinking, but I’d put the books down and go back to the same habits. I realized you have to internalize it. You don’t read about riding a bike and then ride – you have to experience it.” It led him to create his own programs.

“The tapes, which are now available as CDs, MP3 downloads, and mobile apps, are designed to overcome negativity and provide self help for self-esteem which includes loving yourself,” continues Griswold. “When you love yourself, it’s easier for others to love you and easier for you to love them. We’re told to love our neighbors as ourselves, not more than or instead of.” When asked why he chose “love” as his theme, he offers, “It just made sense to me. Love is a basic need. Everyone needs love. No matter how independent, macho, wealthy or successful a person is, without love there’s no self-actualization. These audio programs can help you get more in touch with the great power of love. Love is an energy and this energy can bring you more happiness, health, peace of mind and better more loving relationships. People also say they love to experience them and they love the great results.”

In the decades since they were released, the Love Tapes are still popular and selling well. “We have tons and tons of letters, emails, and phone calls. People have done miraculous things with their lives. They’ve lost a hundred or more pounds, they’ve improved their relationships, their marriages and income. You could call them the miracle tapes. But the real miracle is that people have fantastic potential and the Love Tapes help unlock that potential.”

One of the First Love Tapes Catalog Covers

Fear is one of the biggest obstacles preventing people from realizing their full potential. When confronted with new or challenging situations, we often respond with a worst-case scenario. “We’ve been taught to fear,” says Griswold. “Most negative things in our lives have been taught to us. We’ve been programmed from childhood to feel fear, to feel shame, to feel we’re inadequate. These tapes help you conquer fear and believe in yourself. Through the proper use of guided visualizations, positive affirmations, and other techniques, these programs engage all your senses. That’s what’s needed to “unlearn” the negative behaviors and thought habits you acquire through your life.”

Does being positive mean we can avoid tough times? “We all go through tough times. The main thing to keep in mind is that it’s temporary. There’s a silver lining to every cloud. Obstacles should be seen as opportunities to grow. Every problem has a gift. We just have to look for it. Sometimes you lose a job and you feel down and low and you dwell on that. But that just makes the situation more difficult. I had a student who was programming for a better situation at work. He came back a week later and said he was fired. I said maybe there’s something good in that. A week later he got another job that he wouldn’t have been exposed to if he hadn’t lost the first job.”

“In several of my audio programs, I teach goal setting. People have to take action. If we occupy ourselves with wishful thinking, that doesn’t really help that much. Here’s the way I look at it. Many years ago I was stressed out financially and I found myself projecting forward in time and feeling happy that things were much better. It was as if I moved forward in time. And when I was there, I looked back and saw the steps necessary to get back to that point. Every inventor does that. All people who create things are dreamers, but it’s constructive dreaming. They take action. Sometimes people wish for things and when it happens, they realize it’s not what they really wanted. It’s why we do a lot of self-examination in our courses. It’s important to get in touch with what’s really important to you, through introspection.”

One testament the power of Bob Griswold’s voice and message is that decades later, people still listen to their original copies of the Love Tapes. It’s the power of love.

The post All You Need Is…The Love Tapes appeared first on Effective Learning Audio.

“I’d listen to the program in the car. It’s one hour long, and I really liked listening to Deirdre Griswold. And then I started making changes to my behavior. Instead of eating dinner in front of the TV, I started to eat at the table. I used to eat really fatty food, too. Now, I make better choices and have more self-control. I also go walking for 3 miles every day.”

Marlin also describes the importance of changing his self-image. “You need to see yourself as thin. In the past when I lost weight, I still thought of myself as fat so I always put the weight back on. Now, I’ve lost 70 pounds and I’m keeping it off because I’ve changed my habits. Part of it is visualizing myself as thin. It really did help me lose weight.”

Following his weight loss success, Marlin tackled his unhelpful procrastination habit. “I used to sleep in until 10 o’clock every morning. Now, I’m up at 6. And I always used to put things off and tell myself I’d do it tomorrow.” Using the Conquering Procrastination program, Marlin learned important tools to help him deal with this issue. “Each morning, I write a list of what needs to be done and I get it done.” When asked what helped him the most, he mentions breaking tasks down into 15 minute blocks rather than feeling overwhelmed with big projects. “I’d had trouble with procrastination for 50 years, so this really was a breakthrough for me.”

Marlin believes what makes Effective Learning’s programs different is the way they change your brain. “You learn better habits. It teaches you how to create better habits to achieve your goals.” He’s since purchased other programs from Effective Learning including Discovering and Developing Your Talents and Freedom From Insomnia. Now, Marlin is writing a book and completes 15-20 pages a day. “I highly recommend these programs. They are well-priced and they work.”

The post Transforming Lives: Marlin’s Story appeared first on Effective Learning Audio.

Jenny came across Effective Learning Systems at a Barnes and Noble store. “I began using the Effective Learning programs almost twenty years ago and noticed a difference in my behavior within a few weeks,” she shares. “I’ve been able to overcome almost all of my negative “programming” and negative self-talk. I was even able to give a presentation about the benefits of guided imagery and self-hypnosis to 150 people. This from a woman who couldn’t speak up in class.”

Part of the appeal for Jenny is the nature of the programs. “It’s both spiritual and science-based so the part of me that wants to nurture a spiritual perspective appreciates the message that we are all part of this grand experience called life. The other part of me that is skeptical of things that sound “too good to be true” responds to the science-based explanations about breathing.”

When asked about the process, Jenny explains, “I am led into a deeply relaxed state and guided to experience some beautiful images. If I use a CD at night, it facilitates my falling into a deep restful sleep. I often have uplifting dreams as well. If I use a CD during the day, it makes me feel refreshed and as though I’ve had a long nap. I wouldn’t say the programs are a “magic bullet” but I think of their use as an exercise regime done to get in shape. You will want to use them on a long-term basis for continued inspiration for your goal.”

Jenny suggests Weight Loss/Stay Slim to help me lose weight and Super Strength Self Esteem/Improve Your Self Image. She uses them a few times every week, sometimes as a sleep aide. “I just ordered four new titles,” she adds. “I’ve used products from at least three other companies of a similar nature. Effective Learning Systems are my favorite. I’ve been using Loving Your Body for about two weeks now and I really like it. I’m not thrilled about being close to 50 and have been a bit down about the natural effects of aging on my body. I believe the program is already giving me a better attitude that’s making me take even better care of myself. I will continue to recommend Effective Learning Systems for years to come.”

The post Transforming Lives: Don’t Fear Life – Embrace It! appeared first on Effective Learning Audio.

Today, gently spoken Annie Marie says you are what you believe but for many years, her self-belief was distorted and damaged. “I moved to Florida in 1989 with my second husband who then decided he didn’t want to be married any more. I didn’t want to be alone so I jumped straight into a new relationship. I needed someone to love me.” Annie Marie found herself trapped in a negative relationship for thirteen years worsening her already fragile self-confidence. “It got to a point where I couldn’t handle it any more. I was isolated and swamped in negativity.”

Wandering through a thrift store in Florida, Annie Marie found an audio self help program that would change her life. “It was just after leaving the relationship,” she says. “I had no self-confidence, I was alone for the first time in my life and I knew I needed to make changes. And then I spotted this second-hand tape in a thrift store.” The tape was ‘Become Super Self Confident…Automatically’ by Bob and Deirdre Griswold of Effective Learning Systems. “I started listening to the program over and over again hearing Bob and Deirdre explain how to reject negative thoughts and use positive affirmations to change how you think and feel about yourself.”

Part the process for Annie Marie was learning to accept and love herself. “It’s something I hadn’t done and led me to make choices that weren’t good for me because I didn’t think I deserved to be happy. Now, I choose to be happy. I was a very inward person but the tape explained how to eject negatives and to choose to be confident. I started by smiling at other people and of being loving towards them. You get back what you give out.”

Annie Marie used to worry what people thought of her and often avoided social situations. “I used to be easily intimidated until I realized most people feel the same way you do. Rather than focusing on your insecurities, if you start putting out love and think about the other person you feel better and they feel better. I also learned to stop criticizing myself all the time and I stopped being judgmental. Using positive affirmations really helped turn my self-belief around. So much happens in your subconscious so the more positive messages you plant in there, the better.”

With a strong faith and new self-confidence, Annie Marie describes herself as blessed. “Now, I’m outgoing and don’t dwell on negative thoughts. And I make sure to say hi to someone at least three times a day. I put out the love thought. As I result, I’m attracting more loving people into my life. You are what you believe you are.”

The post Transforming Lives: Annie Marie Chooses Happiness appeared first on Effective Learning Audio.

After finding the Loves Tapes helpful, Rasheedah purchased other programs from Effective Learning Systems. “We listened to Alpha Break almost every morning prior to starting the day. In the afternoons, my sons often listened to Effective Studying and Test Taking, Peak Performance in Sports or Self-Image for Children. We used the programs related to self-confidence, relaxation, effective speaking, self-esteem, health and healing, relaxation, concentration, and freedom from stress and worry. I now use the Blood Pressure, Super Strength Memory Power and Immunity and Longevity programs as well as the Effective Meditations and While-U-Drive CD’s. I actually listen to Achieve Your Ideal Weight Auto-matically while on the treadmill from time to time.”

Just as some families watch TV together, Rasheedah’s family listened to Effective Learning’s programs at the same time. “We usually listened to our tapes once we retired for the night since we knew that we were absorbing the knowledge subliminally even if we fell asleep. Our cassette player was in the hall between our respective bedrooms so we could all hear the chosen tape.”

When asked about the effect on her life, Rasheedah says, “The changes I noticed were profound, but subtle. I frequently recommend the programs to others. In fact, I’m planning to gift my sons with the stress relief and anger management programs just in case they need a refresher.”

How did the programs affect her sons? “My sons are now 35 years-old and physicians in practice together. Both are married with children of their own.”

The post Transforming Lives: A Single Mom Raising Twin Boys appeared first on Effective Learning Audio.

“I don’t remember how I first came across a little flyer about The Love Tapes back in the late 70s or early 80s,” begins Julia. “But I ordered ‘How To Be Positive’ and still have the original cassette in working condition, though not from of lack of use!”

‘How to Be Positive’ helps you to think, feel, and be more positive in any situation. Julia says she’s recommended the tapes to her patients, family and friends. “I stopped counting how many of these jewels I own when I accumulated more than forty,” she shares.

“I realized I owe Effective Learning more than just my gratitude. Bob Griswold was at my side during what was nothing less than my dark night of the soul. For many years, the Love Tapes were my lifeline. Now, the tapes continue to be an absolute joy and my number one referral source for all of my clients.”

Julia is very appreciative. “My deep thanks for decades of inspiration and hope.”

The post Transforming Lives: A Nurse’s Lifeline appeared first on Effective Learning Audio.