Meet Dr. Lisa Cortez

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Lisa Cortez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Lisa, so happy to have you on the platform with us today and excited to chat about your lessons and insights. Our ability to make good decisions can massively impact our lives, careers and relationships and so it would be very helpful to hear about how you built your decision-making skills.

Growing up with doubt, fear, anxiety, and imposter syndrome was not easy. Making simple decisions was hard, as I always doubted my choices. The path to developing robust decision making skills and unwavering self-belief was challenging. I had to be resilient and self-discovery played a key role. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the unwavering resolve of my family, who faced hardships with grace and determination. Growing up as a proud Mexican-American my foundation of character was laid upon the values of generosity and perseverance, instilled by my mother who selflessly helped others despite our humble beginnings. Their resilience became a guiding light, showing me the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.

As I navigated the complexities of being a minority, the shadows of self-doubt and anxiety often hindered my confidence and ability to make decisions with true faith and conviction. However, the desire I had for growth and success drove me to learn more about my anxiety and my doubt. This led me to learn more about how the brain works and shapes our thoughts, emotions, and ultimately our actions.

Learning that the brain creates doubt in everyone to keep us safe, was life-changing. I unearth the key to unlocking my potential and fostering a sense of unwavering self-belief. The journey towards mastering decision-making and learning from self-doubt was arduous. With every hurdle overcome, I was inching closer to a place of clarity and confidence. Learning what I truly wanted, and what I desired and harnessing confidence helped you with decision-making. When you know what you want and believe in yourself, the decision-making becomes easier and easier.

Clarity about your goals and values provides a solid foundation, guiding your choices with purpose and conviction. Confidence fuels the belief in yourself. It then serves as a beacon of assurance, dispelling uncertainty and hesitation, and allowing you to navigate decisions with clarity and certainty. Learning this aided me in becoming adept at decision-making.

But the ultimate tool my secret weapon, and something I teach all my patients, is MEDITATION. Harnessing confidence, desire, and purpose while I meditate has become a powerful technique that I employ in visualizing my deepest aspirations. This daily practice for the past 24 years not only allows me to cultivate a sense of clarity and focus but also aids me in navigating decision-making with intention and determination. Through the stillness of meditation, I find the space to connect with my innermost desires, aligning my goals with my authentic self, thus enabling me to make choices that resonate with my true purpose.

My journey toward improving decision-making skills has been a transformative fun experience characterized by overcoming self-doubt and anxiety, embracing resilience, and nurturing a deep sense of self-awareness. Going within to truly find my desires. I have unlocked a powerful methodology that not only sharpens my decision-making skills but also helps me with so much more. This holistic approach, rooted in self-discovery and purposeful intention, continues to propel me forward on a path of empowered decision-making and personal growth. And helping others do the same.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Dr. Lisa Cortez, an anxiety expert with over 24 years of experience in the mental health field. As a psychotherapist, entrepreneur, and host of The Anxiety Dr. Podcast- one of the top podcasts in the world – I have dedicated my time and career to normalizing mental health and wellness through my work. I have founded the Mind. Set. Grow. project, where I spread awareness and provide valuable insights to children and schools around the nation. In addition to these projects, I run a private practice, where I offer individual therapy, group coaching programs, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), and mental health business consulting to top Fortune 500 companies. Helping individuals be their best selves and companies prioritize their employee’s well-being. My combined experience and love for business drive me to help individuals and companies alike.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Self-awareness is a fundamental quality that has played a key role in my success as an entrepreneur. By having a deep understanding of your strenghts, weaknesses, values, desires, wants, and emotions, you have the ability to make informed decisions, build strong relationships, and navigate challenges effectively. This has allowed me to leverage my strengths, address areas for improvement, and maintain a clear sense of purpose in the face of uncertainty. From this, I have learned that there is always room to learn. I am always learning and reading about my industry. And last, but certainly not least, rest. Rest is crucial for maintaining mental clarity, creativity, and overall well-being. Taking time to rest and recharge allows you to approach challenges with a fresh perspective, make better decisions, and sustain long-term success.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

Knowing when to step away and rest is crucial for me and my well-being. It is important to recognize the signs of burn out, stress, and frustration. Not stepping away when you need the rest can lead to decreased productivity, increased stress levels, and difficulty concentrating, making it harder to find solutions. When I start feeling like this, I step away. I take a break and do something that I love to do. That can be anything, listening to music, spending time with my family, or just some sort of self-care activity. For me I meditate this allows me to go within, clear my mind, visualize, and then feel recharged. I gain clarity, and this improves my overall performance and mood. Making it easier for me to make decisions. Take a break, find what works for you, and implement these things into your life.

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Image Credits

Allison Wilkins photography

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