
MINDSET ZONE
Our mindsets determine the way we see the world, as well as, the way we behave and who we are as people. It’s very easy and normal to stay stuck in fixed mindsets – limiting beliefs about our abilities and skills that prevent us to learn new things. We can intentionally cultivate a growth mindset that allows us to stretch our minds and amplify the realm of possibilities of what we do, and who we are. Amplifying our mindsets is one of the secrets of success, for most entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals out there.
Latest episodes

Oct 4, 2024 • 19min
AI Audio Overview of the MINDSET ZONE Book
"The first step is just acknowledging that we all have them. These biases exist. We all have them."
- Ana Melikian, Ph.D.
Exploring insights from her book, "Mindset Zone: Actualize Your Human Potential," Dr. Ana Melikian uses this new AI-driven podcast format to help make complex ideas more accessible and actionable.
Ana introduces the amazing Google NotebookLM that creates audio overviews. Through the AI-generated conversation, you can learn about key themes such as belief-based mindsets, information processing modes, and the critical concept of frames of reference.
You'll learn about pivotal topics like Carol Dweck's fixed versus growth mindsets, the impact of our lenses on our reality, and how different mindsets can affect various aspects of life. Discover practical tools like Gabriele Oettingen's WOOP Method (Wish, Outcome, Obstacles, Plan) and Ana's PIE Method (Pause, Increase Self Awareness, Embrace Experimentation), built to help you unlock your full potential.
It's all about expanding what's possible—are you ready to adjust your lenses and dive into your mindset zone?
Let’s dive in!
This week on the MINDSET ZONE:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:14 Navigating AI Disruption
02:42 Deep Dive into "Mindset Zone: Actualize Your Human Potential"
03:43 Understanding Belief-Based Mindsets
04:28 Praise and Growth Mindsets
05:11 Deliberative vs. Implemental Mindsets
06:27 Unfocus for Better Focus
07:01 Introducing the WOOP Method
08:16 Frames of Reference and Cultural Biases
08:51 Ana’s Personal Growth Journey
09:39 PIE Method for Managing Blind Spots
10:56 Mental Fitness and Its Importance
12:23 Connecting AI with Human Potential
13:03 The Mindset Zone Explained
14:36 Real-World Application of Mindset Tools
16:14 Final Thoughts on AI and Human Potential
Meet Your Host:
Ana Melikian, Ph. D., helps leaders amplify their impact while avoiding burnout. Passionate about teaching others how to unlock human potential, she introduces simple yet powerful frameworks, such as the PIE method, to improve well-being and effectiveness.
𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?
Schedule a time to speak with Ana HERE to learn about your (or your team’s) burnout risk and elevate your well-being and effectiveness!
Connect with:
Ana on LinkedIn
Resources:
Google's NotebookLM: A Game-Changer for Education and Beyond
REVOLUTIONARY NotebookLM Changes AI Forever [DEMO]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQALlJVjKFk
Related episodes:
Expand What’s Possible!

Sep 27, 2024 • 31min
Exploring Open-Label Placebos with Claudia Carvalho, Ph.D.
It seems that open label placebo offered to people the possibility of gaining self awareness on their body and being more empowered in the way they manage their pain."
- Cláudia Carvalho, Ph.D
In this episode, the host, Ana Melikian, dives into the fascinating world of placebo effects with guest Dr. Cláudia Carvalho, a board-certified clinical psychologist and founder of the Institute Milton H. Erickson of Lisbon. Together, they uncover the powerful impact of placebos, both in clinical trials and therapeutic practice.
Cláudia explains the importance of suspending disbelief to experience the therapeutic benefits of placebos, even when patients are aware they are taking an inert substance. Ana and Claudia discuss the ethical dilemmas surrounding placebo use and explore the emerging field of open-label placebos. Claudia shares insights from her own study on chronic low back pain, revealing that open-label placebos can yield significant and lasting pain relief.
They highlight the broader implications of this research, emphasizing the vital role of the patient-provider relationship and the potential to revolutionize medical care. They also underscore the importance of human connection, trust, and communication in achieving effective treatment outcomes.
To further your understanding, Claudia encourages listeners to explore resources from the Program in Placebo Studies at Harvard Medical School (PIPS). Don't miss out on the profound insights this episode offers into the mind-body connection and the powerful, often underappreciated, role of placebos in medicine.
Let's dive in!
This week on The Mindset Zone:
00:07 Introduction and Welcome
01:15 Introduction to Claudia Carvalho and Her Work
04:00 Understanding Placebos: Inert Substances with Therapeutic Effects
06:45 Placebos in Clinical Practice and Drug Trials
10:20 Psychological Impact and Ethical Dilemmas of Placebo Use
12:30 Introduction to Open-Label Placebos
14:50 Details of Claudia’s Study on Chronic Low Back Pain
19:30 Significant Findings and Long-Term Benefits
23:40 The Importance of Patient-Provider Relationship
26:50 Broader Implications for Medical Care Paradigms
29:20 Encouragement to Explore PIPS Resources
31:00 Closing Remarks and Additional Resources
Meet Our Guest:
Cláudia Carvalho, PhD, is board-certified in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy and a member of the Applied Psychology Research Center Capabilities & Inclusion. She completed a PhD in Health Psychology in 2008 under the mentoring of Irving Kirsch. She is an active affiliated team member who leads collaborations with Irving Kirsch and Ted Kaptchuk on open-label placebo projects carried out in Lisbon, Portugal. Her research interests include open-label placebo, hypnosis, suggestibility, and the patient-provider relationship and how it influences health outcomes.
Resources:
https://claudia-carvalho.com/
http://programinplacebostudies.org/
http://programinplacebostudies.org/media/
Expand What’s Possible!

Sep 20, 2024 • 29min
How To Disagree Respectfully with Justin Jones-Fosu
We can vehemently disagree with someone's ideology and yet still passionately pursue their humanity."
-Justin Jones-Fosu
In this episode, Ana Melikian speaks with the extraordinary Justin Jones-Fosu, a speaker, author, and social entrepreneur, about mastering the art of respectful disagreement in an increasingly divided world. They delve into Justin’s latest book, "I Respectfully Disagree," which offers a timely exploration of maintaining humanity in contentious discussions.
Drawing from personal influences, especially his mother’s teachings, Justin illustrates the importance of seeing beyond ideologies and valuing the humanity in others. He introduces his five pillars framework for respectful disagreement: Challenge Your Perspective, Be the Student, Cultivate Your Curiosity, Seek the Gray, and Agree to Respect. Each pillar is designed to foster growth, understanding, and meaningful engagement, whether in personal relationships or professional settings.
Justin and Ana discuss practical applications of these principles, highlighting real-life examples including how agreeing to disagree respectfully can enhance organizational culture and individual interactions. They emphasize the critical role of listening, the power of curiosity, and the necessity of maintaining respect even amidst profound disagreements.
If you’re curious about how to foster healthier conversations and bridge ideological divides while maintaining mutual respect, this episode provides valuable insights and actionable strategies.
Let's dive in!
This week on The Mindset Zone:
00:07 Introduction and Welcome
00:50 Guest Introduction – Justin Jones-Fosu
01:49 The Premise of Valuing Humanity While Disagreeing
02:21 Influence of Justin’s Mother on His Ideals
03:48 The Start of "I Respectfully Disagree"
04:28 Explanation of the Five Pillars of Respectful Disagreement
05:15 Challenge Your Perspective
08:07 Be the Student
10:07 Cultivate Your Curiosity
13:15 Seek the Gray
15:13 Agree to Respect
17:33 Application in Organizational Culture
22:09 Creating Spaces for Respectful Disagreement
24:36 Personal and Generational Reflections on Courage
27:12 Conclusion and Wrap-Up
Meet Our Guest:
Justin Jones-Fosu is a husband, full-time daddy of 2 high-energy kids, and he also recently summited one of the 7 Summits (the tallest mountain on each continent). He also happens to be a highly sought-after business speaker, social entrepreneur, and meaningful work researcher. He is the founder and CEO of Work. Meaningful. where he speaks 50-60 times per year to companies, organizations, and associations in the US and Internationally on meaningful work and diversity/inclusion.
He is passionate about helping organizations and individuals take ownership of their mindset, purpose, and performance to achieve amazing results. He is the author of Your WHY Matters NOW, The Inclusive Mindset, and his latest book: I Respectfully Disagree: How to Have Difficult Conversations in a Divided World challenges the reader to spend more time building bridges than erecting barriers. He is passionate about turning events into memorable experiences with his humorous and engaging delivery as well as his research-based content!
He is the Chairman of the Board of Work Meaningful Foundation where they support educational initiatives on the continent of Africa and the country of the United States.
Connect with:
Website: HowToRespectfullyDisagree.com
Company: WorkMeaningful.com
LinkedIn: Justin Jones-Fosu
Other Episodes to Explore:
Dialogue: Beyond Speaking & Listening with Bhakti Karkare
Expand What’s Possible!

Sep 13, 2024 • 29min
Strength-Based Mindset with Taymour Miri
There is a direct relationship between playing to your strengths, being engaged at work, and performance."
-Taymour Miri
In this episode, the host, Ana Melikian, interviews Taymour Miri to delve into the concept of a strength-based mindset. Taymour, a seasoned ICF Master Coach and Gallup Strengths Coach, introduces the idea that by understanding our unique strengths, we can navigate life's circumstances more intentionally.
Ana and Taymour discuss how self-awareness is crucial for recognizing and leveraging these strengths, allowing individuals to be at their best when it matters most. Taymour walks through a practical exercise to help listeners experience the power of operating from their strengths, highlighting the importance of focusing on what we are naturally good at rather than struggling with what doesn’t come easily.
The conversation also tackles real-world scenarios, for instance, showing how leaders can adapt their approach to working with teams that may not share their enthusiasm for new technologies. They emphasize the need for leaders to be self-aware and manage their talents effectively while helping their teams do the same.
Taymour shares valuable insights on how focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses leads to higher engagement and better performance and how doing so can prevent burnout. He concludes by discussing the importance of continuous learning and coaching in developing both individual and organizational potential.
Let's dive in!
This week on The Mindset Zone:
00:07 Introduction and Welcome
01:11 Introducing Taymour Miri
01:39 What is a Strength-Based Mindset?
02:38 Importance of Self-Awareness and Unique Wiring
04:00 Experiencing Your Strengths: Practical Exercise
07:46 Focus on Strengths vs. Fixing Weaknesses
10:12 Real-World Scenario: Leaders and Technology
13:49 Talents: Identifying and Investing in Them
15:26 Managing Multiple Talents in Different Scenarios
18:01 Creating Impact While Preventing Burnout
22:14 Recognizing Tasks That Play to Your Strengths
24:00 Final Thoughts and Conclusion
Meet Our Guest:
Taymour Miri is an ICF Master Coach and Gallup Strengths Coach with some 20 years and over 6000 hours of coaching experience with Organizations in Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S. to enhance results through strength coaching.
He was one of the first 136 coaches worldwide to be given an Advanced Certification in Team Coaching (ACTC) by ICF. Taymour has trained over 2000 coaches across six continents at all four levels of ICF credentialing (Associate, Professional, Master, and ACTC) and has been in partnership with ICF for over 10 years as an accredited coaching education provider.
Connect with:
https://icoachingeducation.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/taymourmiri/
Other Episodes to Explore:
Expand What’s Possible!

Sep 6, 2024 • 28min
Energy Over Time: Maximizing Your Impact with Joseph Frost
Energy is here in the present, and it's always with us.”
-Joseph Frost
In this episode, the host, Ana Melikian, dives into a transformative conversation with Joseph (Joe) Frost, a global speaker, thinker, and entrepreneur, about the intriguing concept of energy management versus time management. Joe shares his personal journey of transforming productivity by focusing on harnessing energy rather than adhering strictly to the constraints of time.
Ana and Joe explore how facing serious life challenges, like cancer, can shift our perspectives on what's truly important. Joe introduces Bruce Schneider's concept of “Energy Leadership” and the seven levels of energy, highlighting the detrimental effects of catabolic energy and the empowering nature of anabolic energy.
A significant part of their discussion revolves around managing and optimizing personal energy, especially during conflicts, and how leadership in today's decentralized work environment can benefit from an energy-focused approach. Joe also addresses the importance of aligning personal and organizational core values to navigate through what he calls “core value conundrums.”
Joe emphasizes the importance of creating a multiverse of visions, relying on core values to guide the way. Frost's experience with decentralized leadership models demonstrates how embracing an energy-centric mindset can lead to better outcomes in both personal and professional realms.
Let's dive in!
This week on The Mindset Zone:
01:01 Introducing Joe Frost
01:17 Joe’s Take on Energy Management vs. Time Management
02:16 Joe’s Personal Experience with Cancer and Time Perception
03:02 Shifting from Time to Energy Focus
04:14 Levels of Energy Leadership
06:40 Practicing Energy Awareness and Curiosity
10:00 Addressing Energy Triggers and Catalysts
11:11 Exploring the Seven Levels of Energy Leadership
13:33 The Role of Core Values in Navigating the Multiverse of Visions
15:17 Aligning Personal and Organizational Core Values
17:35 The Impact of Energy-Centric Leadership in Decentralized Models
20:51 Leveraging Energy in Productivity and Future Work
25:49 Applying an Energy Perspective in Personal and Professional Life
26:14 How to Learn More About Joe Frost
Meet Our Guest:
Joseph (Joe) Frost is an entrepreneur, speaker, and thought leader, pioneering the future of work through fractional and decentralized leadership. As the co-founder of yorCMO, the first franchise business in this space, Joseph helps business owners gain clarity and drive growth with fractional CMOs.
Beyond yorCMO, Joseph founded the Fractional Professionals Association, a community for executives embracing the evolving work landscape.
His diverse career spans from launching a lawn care business in high school to founding companies in various industries, teaching entrepreneurship, and creating a documentary on the seasons of entrepreneurship.
Joe’s innovative thinking and ability to turn unconventional ideas into impactful strategies make him a sought-after advisor. As the host of "The Fractional C-Suite Retreat," he connects with thought leaders on the future of the C-Suite.
Connect with:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephfrost/
https://josephmarkfrost.com/
Resources:
Energy Leadership: The 7 Level Framework for Mastery In Life and Business by Bruce D Schneider
Related episodes:
Expand What’s Possible

Aug 30, 2024 • 9min
The Four Agreements: Always Do Your Best and Perfectionism
"We will be procrastinating because of the fear of not being perfect."
- Ana Melikian
In this episode, the host, Ana Melikian, delves into the profound wisdom outlined in Don Miguel Ruiz's book, "The Four Agreements." As she explores the final agreement, "Always Do Your Best," Ana emphasizes the importance of interpreting this agreement through a balanced lens.
Ana shares how "doing our best" can vary from moment to moment and why striving for perfection can be detrimental rather than beneficial. She relates her personal experiences as a perfectionist and workaholic, highlighting the potential pitfalls of misinterpreting the agreement. Instead of aiming for unattainable perfection, Ana encourages listeners to focus on continuous self-improvement and self-compassion.
Through poignant passages from the book, Ana illustrates the necessity of embracing our imperfections, learning from our failures, and the ongoing journey of mastering transformation. This episode serves as a gentle reminder that doing our best is about effort, not flawlessness, and is key to living a healthier, happier life.
Let's dive in!
This week on The Mindset Zone:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:35 Exploring "Always Do Your Best" in "The Four Agreements"
01:53 The definition of "Always Do Your Best" by Don Miguel Ruiz
03:34 The Trap of Perfectionism vs. Striving to Be Our Best
04:44 The Importance of Avoiding Perfectionism
05:43 Reading a Key Passage from "The Four Agreements"
07:00 Self-Compassion and the Journey of Self-Improvement
08:25 Encouragement to Share the Episode with Others
Meet Your Host:
Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.
𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?
Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!
Connect with:
Ana on LinkedIn
Resources:
Book: The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
Related episodes:
Overcoming Assumptions: Third Agreement of the Four Agreements
Internal Vs. External: How Attribution Theory Helps Us Apply The Four Agreements
Transforming Self-Talk: The Impact of Words on Mindset and Growth
How the Four Agreements Can Help Uncover Your Mindset Blind Spots
Between stimulus and response, there is this space
Courage To Be Imperfect
Expand What’s Possible

Aug 23, 2024 • 13min
Overcoming Assumptions: Third Agreement of the Four Agreements
"The problem is to believe that the assumptions we make are the truth."
- Ana Melikian
In this episode, the host, Ana Melikian, dives into the intricacies of the third agreement from Don Miguel Ruiz's renowned book, "The Four Agreements"—Don't Make Assumptions. Ana illustrates the detrimental effects of holding assumptions as truth and how this mindset limits our potential.
Ana emphasizes the importance of finding the courage to ask questions and clearly communicate with others to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and unnecessary drama. She skillfully parallels this agreement with the previous one, “Don't Take Anything Personally,” highlighting how both are rooted in the projection of our internal realities.
Using relatable scenarios—like sending an important email and awaiting a response or interpreting social interactions at a conference—Ana demonstrates how easy it is for assumptions to take over and lead to negative mental chatter. She encourages listeners to adopt mindfulness to let go of these assumptions and underscores the value of clear communication as a way to prevent false beliefs from clouding our interactions.
For those looking to expand their self-awareness and master the skills of better communication and present-mindedness, this episode is a must-listen.
Let's dive in!
This week on The Mindset Zone:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:53 Brief Recap of Previous Agreement
01:21 Introduction to the Third Agreement: Don't Make Assumptions
02:33 The Natural Tendency to Make Assumptions
04:01 Real-Life Scenario: The Unanswered Email
06:18 Real-Life Scenario: Conference Interaction and Assumptions
08:35 Understanding Assumptions as Thoughts
09:42 The Mindfulness Approach to Letting Go of Assumptions
10:58 Clear Communication: Making Lives Easier
11:57 Preview of Next Episode: Always Do Your Best
12:15 Conclusion and Call to Action
Meet Your Host:
Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.
𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?
Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!
Connect with:
Ana on LinkedIn
Resources:
Book: The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
Related episodes:
Internal Vs. External: How Attribution Theory Helps Us Apply The Four Agreements
Transforming Self-Talk: The Impact of Words on Mindset and Growth
How the Four Agreements Can Help Uncover Your Mindset Blind Spots
Between stimulus and response, there is this space
Expand What’s Possible

Aug 16, 2024 • 20min
Internal Vs. External: How Attribution Theory Helps Us Apply The Four Agreements
"What others say and do is a projection of their own reality."
- Ana Melikian
In this episode, Ana Melikian delves into "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz, focusing this time on the second agreement, "Don't Take Anything Personally." Ana breaks down Ruiz's perspective by examining the three core points he presents: nothing others do is because of you, what others say and do is a projection of their own reality, and how becoming immune to others' opinions can save you from unnecessary suffering.
Through relatable social media scenarios, Ana explores the significant mental shift that occurs when we stop taking things personally. She also introduces the attribution theory from social psychology and dissects how our interpretation of successes and failures can influence our emotional responses. By providing concrete examples of negative and positive experiences, Ana emphasizes the powerful choice we have in how we perceive and respond to the actions of others.
Ana encourages listeners to reflect on their tendencies to take things personally and to consider the balance required to achieve a more nuanced approach.
She leaves us with an important question: Are you taking things too personally, or have you found a balanced application of this principle in your life?
Let's dive in!
This week on The Mindset Zone:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:50 Overview of "The Four Agreements"
02:20 Focus on the Second Agreement: "Don't Take Anything Personally"
03:38 Exploring Real-life Scenarios on Social Media
05:20 Projection of Others' Reality
07:45 Immunity to Opinions: Path to Freedom
09:20 The Complexity of "Don't Take Anything Personally"
11:20 Attribution Theory in Social Psychology
15:07 Applying Attribution Theory to Negative Situations
17:16 Positive Situations and Balance
19:43 Conclusion and Invitation for Comments
Meet Your Host:
Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.
𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?
Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!
Connect with:
Ana on LinkedIn
Resources:
Book: The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
Related episodes:
Transforming Self-Talk: The Impact of Words on Mindset and Growth
How the Four Agreements Can Help Uncover Your Mindset Blind Spots
Between stimulus and response, there is this space
Expand What’s Possible

Aug 9, 2024 • 19min
Transforming Self-Talk: The Impact of Words on Mindset and Growth
"Use words with care and attention."
- Ana Melikian
In this episode, the host, Ana Melikian, delves into the timeless wisdom of "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz, focusing particularly on the power of words.
Ana uncovers the concept of “self-limiting beliefs” or “mindset blind spots” and speaks about how to overcoming these obstacles with the Four Agreements: Be impeccable with your word, Don’t take anything personally, Don’t make assumptions, and Always do your best.
Highlighting the first agreement, “Be impeccable with your word,” Ana discusses the profound impact of words and how they shape our reality. Drawing from various sources, including Ruiz’s book and Dr. Carol Dweck’s research on mindset, Ana illustrates how our language and self-talk can either empower or limit us.
Ana shares insights from Dr. Dweck’s work on the dangers of labeling children based on intelligence rather than effort. She emphasizes the importance of praising effort to foster a growth mindset. This shift in perspective can have significant implications on personal and professional development.
Join Ana as she explores the intersection of language, mindset, and possibilities, providing actionable insights to help you embrace a growth-oriented approach to life.
Let's dive in!
This week on The Mindset Zone:
00:00 Introduction
00:20 Concept of Self-Limiting Beliefs/Mindset Blind Spots
02:38 Overview of The Four Agreements
03:47 Focus on the First Agreement: Be Impeccable with Your Word
06:16 The Power of Words and Quotes from Don Miguel Ruiz
09:14 Insights from Dr. Carol Dweck's Research on Mindset
10:46 Study by Carol Dweck on the Impact of Praise
13:19 Implications of Praising Effort Over Intelligence
14:52 Reflecting on Self-Talk and Personal Self-Image
18:23 Encouragement to Share Comments and Experiences
Meet Your Host:
Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.
𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?
Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!
Connect with:
Ana on LinkedIn
Resources:
Book: The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
Book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
Blind Spots – We All Have Them
Related episodes:
How the Four Agreements Can Help Uncover Your Mindset Blind Spots
Expand What’s Possible

Aug 2, 2024 • 14min
How the Four Agreements Can Help Uncover Your Mindset Blind Spots
"I don't have to react. I can choose how to respond."
- Ana Melikian
In this episode, the host, Ana Melikian, delves into the powerful concepts presented in "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz and how they relate to mindset blind spots. Ana discusses the importance of recognizing these self-limiting beliefs, which she calls "mindset blind spots," and how they shape our reactions and perceptions.
Ana explores the profound idea that these beliefs are learned and can be unlearned, much like visual blind spots can be identified. She introduces an "A-B-C" process to help listeners become aware of these blind spots: Awareness, Breathe out, and Create your response. Ana emphasizes the significance of creating spaces for self-awareness to discover these subconscious rules that govern our lives.
She also challenges listeners to a seven-day awareness practice, aimed at focusing on becoming aware of self-limiting beliefs without trying to change them immediately. This lays the groundwork for future discussions on the four transformative agreements proposed by Don Miguel Ruiz: "Be impeccable with your word," "Don't take anything personally," "Don't make assumptions," and "Always do your best."
Join Ana as she embarks on this journey of self-discovery and growth, offering practical steps to expand what is possible in our personal and professional lives.
Let's dive in!
This week on The Mindset Zone:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:18 The Purpose of the Podcast
00:51 Introducing The Four Agreements
02:09 Understanding Mindset Blind Spots
03:21 The Power of Awareness in Changing Self-Limiting Beliefs
04:33 The Domestication of Humans and Learning Rules Subconsciously
06:08 The Importance of Challenging Unwritten Rules
08:07 Introducing the A-B-C Process: Awareness, Breathe Out, Create your response
09:08 The Space Between Stimulus and Response
10:15 Seven-Day Awareness Challenge
13:11 Invitation to Next Week's Topic
Meet Your Host:
Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.
𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?
Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!
Connect with:
Ana on LinkedIn
Resources:
Book: The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
Blind Spots – We All Have Them
React or Create – Your Choice
Between stimulus and response, there is this space
Related episodes:
Expand What’s Possible