A Journey into Mindset, Growth, and Courageous Conversations

Creating Change In Life - Philip Dykes & Kerry McLeod.

Difficult conversations, those moments where our words, intentions, or presence feel

exposed, often provoke a fear response. It might be with a colleague, a loved one, or even

ourselves. And if you’re reading this, chances are you’ve felt that hesitation: the internal

dialogue that whispers, “I can’t do this,” or “They’ll judge me,” or “I’ll get it wrong.”

What if we told you that the fear you feel in these conversations is not a flaw in you, but a

signal, a map pointing directly to the habits, mindsets, and subconscious patterns that shape

how you think, speak, and act?

These patterns are not random. They’re deeply embedded behaviours, formed over years,

often without your conscious awareness. And until you shine a light on them, they will

continue to dictate your confidence, your relationships, and even your spiritual growth.

Exploring your mindset is like exploring a new world, the 8th wonder of consciousness, yet

largely uncharted. Just like a medium steps into a reality beyond the physical, you step into

your mind when you reflect on these patterns.

Awareness of the mindset is the first step. When you notice a knee-jerk reaction, a self-limiting thought, or a block in a conversation, that’s your growth opportunity. You’re seeing a blind spot. The challenge is that blind spots are, by nature, hard to see. It often takes hitting a block, feeling panic, or sensing anxiety to notice them.

Many of us try to apply Mindset Growth and conversations we’ve learned elsewhere, communication techniques, meditation, or spiritual practice, but if the mindset underneath is still operating from fear or old habits, progress feels stalled. Using meditation is a useful way to help you step back from automatic reactions and observe your thoughts.

For those practicing mediumship or other intuitive arts, this awareness isn’t just

personal, it’s professional and spiritual. A blocked mindset doesn’t just limit your confidence

in a conversation; it can pull you out of the “power” you need to connect with spirit or feel

the essence of a communicator.

When you cultivate awareness, something magical happens: your internal shifts migrate

outward. Your confidence grows, your ability to read energy improves, and your intuitive or

healing abilities deepen. You see patterns where you couldn’t before, sense subtleties

others miss, and your presence becomes more anchored.​

Many find that our Mentoring Group​ assists them, as they work through one area of their

mediumship each month, then practice with time for questions and guidance, to assist

your journey. 

For now, explore these steps

Step 1: Notice Your Blind Spots

Journaling, self-reflection, or guided meditation can help uncover the automatic thoughts

that shape your interactions.

You're not aware of your blind spot.

Ask yourself:

• When do I avoid difficult conversations?

• What triggers anxiety or self-doubt?

• Which moments feel reactive rather than intentional?

  
  

​Also, try this exercise:

• Journal or meditate for 10 minutes.

• Ask yourself the above questions.

• Record any recurring thoughts, emotions, or behaviours.

These are your maps, clues to the unconscious patterns guiding your behaviour.​

Step 2: Name the Patterns

Once you notice a recurring behaviour or thought, give it a clear, explicit name. Naming it

removes some of its unconscious control.

Controlling Self limiting behaviour's

Examples of patterns to look for:

• “I tend to assume criticism.”

• “I freeze when confronted.”

• “I over-apologize.”

• “I ruminate endlessly about conversations.”

• “I seek approval before trusting my own decisions.”

• “I avoid conflict at all costs.”

• “I compare myself to others constantly.”

• “I procrastinate when I feel overwhelmed.”

• “I doubt my intuition.”

• “I people-please instead of expressing my needs.”

Step 3: Interrupt the Habit Loop

Once you’ve named a pattern, you can start making conscious choices rather than reacting

automatically.

We have a choice when we think!

Try this exercise:

• Pick one pattern from your list.

• Ask yourself: “What would I do if I responded consciously?”

• Write a new response.

Example:

Old Habit New Response

• “I freeze when confronted”

• “I will pause, breathe, and ask clarifying questions”

• “I over-apologize”

• “I will acknowledge myself and express my perspective”

Start small, practice in safe spaces: trusted friends, reflective exercises, or low-stakes

conversations.

Confidence grows with repetition. We will be exploring these steps in our next Soul Talk, a

90 minute talk and questions on 25th August at 7pm.

Step 4: Anchor in Values and Intention

When you act from a grounded place aligned with your integrity and purpose, fear loses its

power. You step out of reactive patterns and into intentional action.

Confident authentic self

Exercise:

• List your top 3 values (e.g., integrity, compassion, curiosity).

• Before a conversation, ask: “How would acting in alignment with these values

  change my words, tone, and presence?”

• Practice acting from this grounded place.

Strengthen this alignment with our Sitting in the Power meditation, designed to anchor

presence, clarity, and inner strength.

Step 5: Trust the Process

Change takes time. Rewiring old patterns, especially those formed over years, requires

patience. But consistent awareness strengthens intuition, clarity, and confidence, whether

in conversations, life decisions, or mediumship abilities.

Learn to like oneself.

Exercise:

• Choose one pattern to focus on each week.

• Journal your wins, challenges, and insights.

• Reflect weekly: “How is this change affecting my conversations, my presence, and my

  intuition?”

​If you wish this experience of change, then our next 5 hour workshop called The Mediums

Mind, will be doing just that on September 6th.

The Reward of Courageous Conversations

When you learn to shift your mindset, each difficult conversation becomes an opportunity

for growth. You’re not just surviving the interaction; you’re training your mind to operate

from clarity, calmness, and curiosity.

For mediums, this is transformative. The same principles that help you navigate challenging

interactions also enhance your spiritual practice:

• Your presence sharpens

• Your discernment deepens

• Your capacity to connect with subtle energies strengthens

  
  

Ultimately, the courage to confront your mind, its habits, and your fears doesn’t just change

conversations, it changes your life.

Reflection Exercise for Today

So, in relation to difficult conversations, take a moment to ask yourself:

• Where do I feel blocked in my conversations?

• What beliefs or fears are holding me back?

• How could shifting my mindset improve not just my words, but my presence,

  intuition, and ability to connect with others?

  
  

By exploring your mindset, noticing blind spots, and practicing intentional action, you

reclaim control over your reactions, your choices, and your growth, personally,

professionally, and spiritually.

Your mind is a frontier. Exploring it is the first step to growing beyond limits, whether in life,

relationships, or spiritual practice.

Explore our full range of resources, courses, and workshops here: Philip Dykes & Kerry

McLeod.