5 Things Stopping You from Being Successful

Though we differ in many ways, and there are many reasons why we have yet to reach success—as defined respectively, the fact remains that most of us suffer from these five life-blocking sentiments:

1. We’re afraid we’re not talented enough 
2. We have fear of rejection
3. We’re afraid it’s already been done
4. What we desire is not important enough to make a change in other people’s life
5. We’re afraid we don’t have the right degree or training

On some level we all do this; we all build our lives around the things we believe most about ourselves and the world. There's a saying that goes like this, “argue for your limitations, and you get to keep them.” Keeping this quote in mind, is this the kind of life you want to build? A life built around fears and limitations? Or do you want to build your world around knowing that anything is possible. That nothing can or should stop you because others that have come before you have done “it!”

This is what happens when we allow this type of thinking to control our lives:

1. Because we think we’re not talented enough, we never try anything new. 
2. Because we have fear of rejection, we don’t put ourselves out there.
3. Because it’s already been done, we keep our inventions tucked away at the bottom of the drawer, or worse, in the corner of our minds until it disappears completely. 
4. Because what we have to offer is not that important,—like say, savings lives, we don’t share what could possibly save someone’s life—like a song, a story, a favorite recipe, a dance that moves someone and awakens their souls. 
5. Because we don’t have the right degree, we don’t apply for that job, or reach for that goal because, well, there’s no point really…. 

I suggest this, any time any of the above limited beliefs creep into your thought life challenge it by asking yourself this: What will I build my next hour around, fear or bravery? By bringing to the surface that you’re about to step on that fear track, it will shake you--alert that you’re about to play small. Never again allow fear to be the place from which your life is built. Instead be brave, take chances and live fully.

Till Next Time

 

Jumping Before You're Ready

Are you waiting for the right moment to come before doing what you want? Say, take the vacation of your dreams. Move to a new city. Take a new job…

Most of us have this thing—big or small that we desire to do, yet we are holding off until the stars align. The problem with this is that we don’t realize that the moment our desire was placed in us, the stars have begun to align. These so-called stars will not truly form until we begin to take steps to fulfill our desire. But why is it that most of us sit back and wait for the perfect circumstances to appear before we take action? I believe fear is obviously at the root of this waiting game.

My Dream Vacation, London

The danger in waiting for the “perfect moment” is that IT may never come. There’s always going to be something that comes between us and that thing we want. If we allow fear to immobilize us, we may never achieve what we want, again big or small. We must be willing to jump before we are ready. 

In Lisa Nichols' book “Abundance Now” she gives an example of jumping before you’re ready.   She explains how people who jump out of planes jump out way before the parachute opens. “They fall a long way before achieving safety.  They have to give themselves this permission, to fall before they open their parachutes and soar.”

Nichols believes “jumping, regardless of the outcome is the real problem.” I agree with her. I believe this is at the core of why we sit by the side-lines, watching as others get to live the life we want. We are so afraid of the outcome, what if it’s not what I want? What if it’s exactly what I want and somehow my life changes? These thoughts confine us and make us live small.

We are all here to live the best life we can. Because by doing so, we are moving the world forward, as I previously stated in my blog Answering the Call of Inspiration.

Imagine this for a moment: Jumping before you’re ready.

The call to action this week is to simply do one thing you’ve wanted to do, and go for it without thinking of the outcome. You want to go swimming in the ocean but have been avoiding it because, well, doing so means wearing a bathing suit. And people will look at you! Simply go to the ocean and swim and don’t wait to lose the weight. Letting go of the outcome means forgetting those awful negative thoughts and just doing what you want in that moment. That moment of action will lead you to the next. Then the next. Until you are finally a person who doesn’t sit back and let life pass you by--waiting for the “right moment.” The right moment is now!

Till Next Time!

Is Being Right More Important than Being Understanding?

I’m of the belief that everything in our lives is a learning experience. However, it’s up to us how quickly the lesson is learned, if at all. With that in mind, I believe I’m in the process of learning a very valuable lesson.

For months I’ve been confronted with situations where the only rational explanation for what keeps happening is that each person involved is seeing things very differently than me. Given how very differently each person perceived each situation, is it fair to say then that one person is wrong and the other right? Could it be that each person is right AND wrong?

This business of “perspective” is the foundation from which our lives are formed. Perspective is the way we as individuals view the world, which ultimately dictates the decisions we make. Through our perspective we create our lives. We decide what type of lifestyle is acceptable. What dreams we deem attainable. What jokes we find funny. What type of people we like to be around and how we get along with others, among many other things.

Knowing how important perspective is, I’m beginning to see how UNIMPORTANT proving I’m right is. I’m fully aware that saying I’m right, is saying that the other person is wrong. And, since at numerous times in my life I’ve been accused of being wrong, I know exactly how that feels. I’m left thinking, how could I be wrong? I lay out my case in my head, and to others that will agree with me, only to confirm how right I am. It’s a very difficult space to be in: when you’re 100% convinced you’re right.

I’ve been thinking about this because not only have I been faced with such a dilemma, but others in my circle have too, as I suspect everyone in the world has at one point. If we can for one moment put aside that need to be right, then recognize that the person is not wrong but instead it’s just their perspective--based on the life they’ve lived, then we can move to a more important place, LOVE.

Being right is not more important than being LOVING, CARING AND UNDERSTANDING. Love is how each and every relationship should be handled. Love is Kind. Love is Patient. Love is Understanding. If we ever hurt another human being to the point of tears, it is our duty to be compassionate and open our heart to this person, pushing aside ALL PRIDE!

Luckily for me, the people in my life that caused me to shed tears over perspective have come around. And for that I am thankful!! Recently, someone in my family was incredibly hurt by someone’s perspective. This was a very valuable lesson for me. Forcing the need to be right is not only wrong, but CRUEL.  I’m constantly preaching about self-love, but, by no means does this mean forgetting about giving love and showing love to those that matter most in our life.

Call to action this week is this: I believe if we listen closely we'll know exactly what lesson we’re in the midst of. Listen, learn and move on.

Till Next Time!

 

Like A Bird Set Free

Once upon a time I was going to be a singer. As a little girl, through my teenage years and through early adulthood I dreamed of a career in music. There was nothing I loved more than music, but I especially loved good vocals and good lyrics (this was my first insight into a passion I was yet to discover—writing).

My love for music led to a girl group with a couple of my friends, which led to ultimately meeting my husband—an amazing singer and music producer. But that’s where the dream stalls forever.  Though I loved singing and I spent hours upon hours in my room singing, there was one thing that came between me and my dream--Self-sabotage.

I allowed my negative talk to stop me from singing my song, from pursuing the dream in my heart. All I wanted was to sing, and to sing well. I didn’t even care if I made it famous, I just wanted to sing. But the more love I felt for singing, the more doubt I poured into myself. I would constantly say that I couldn’t sing. I would declare it to the world and felt sorry for myself for it. I hated that I was given this passion for singing yet I couldn’t fulfill it. How unfair, I thought.

After a while I laid the dream to rest and I went on with my life. Along the way I discovered another passion, writing. Looking back, I was able to see how writing had always been a part of my life, but I was too busy paying attention to how unfair life was (giving me a passion I couldn’t fulfill). But something interesting happened. The more I started falling in love with writing, a familiar voice emerged and I started self-sabotaging this dream too. Things like, “I’m not good enough.” “I can’t write. Look at this, I did it again! Another typo.” “CAN I SPELL?” I mean on an on… It was so bad that when I first joined social media I wouldn’t write anything because I was afraid I was going to say it “wrong.”  It was like I didn’t know how to talk. Suddenly every choice of word seemed like the wrong one. This way of thinking almost stopped me in my tracks again, stalling yet another dream.

Thankfully, I picked up on this destructive behavior and decided, NOPE! Not again. I will not do this to myself again. And I went for it. I began writing posts on social media, and if I made a mistake I didn’t care. Then I began to blog. Then I finished my first young adult novel More Than Words Can Say, a fantasy novel based loosely on that experience of joining a girl group and meeting an enigmatic music producer. Since then I’ve written two other novels, one that will be released this year!

For a full description of the novel click here

Recently I’ve been obsessed with Sia’s new album Alive and her song "Bird Set Free". The lyrics speak to me in a special way:

“And I don't care if I sing off key
I find myself in my melodies
I sing for love, I sing for me
I shout it out like a bird set free”

These lyrics inspire me because I can relate. Many times we allow our imperfections to stop us from chasing that thing that lights us up. But if we could just see that no one is perfect, even those that we deem as such, we wouldn’t let our insecurities prevent us from doing what we love. I allowed my insecurities to stop me once, but never again.

So if I don’t use a properly placed comma. Or if I accidentally use the wrong word. Or if I don’t use quotation marks correctly, I don’t care. This is me. I’m not perfect and I’m okay with that. I write because it makes me happy. I feel closer to the real me when I write. I write with love, I write for me. I'll shout it out like a bird set free!

Have a listen to Bird Set Free

Till Next Time!

How I Transformed My Body with Light

One of the most important teachings of heard on the topic of healing is "adding light to darkness". 

When I first heard this phrase I didn’t really get it. Don't get me wrong, I understood the concept, however, I didn’t really know how to apply it to all areas of my life. As time went on I began to understand it more and more, but it wasn’t until recently that I realized the magic that occurs when this method is applied to our lives.  

Like most women, I’ve spent most of my life obsessing over my body. For years I dwelled over every pound and beat myself up over everything I ate. I thought I was overweight, which caused me to be insecure. I cried many times over the distorted self-image I'd created.

Learning to view life with a positive mindset meant I had to make some major changes. Over the last few years I started shifting my perspective about my body, food and exercise. By doing so, I shifted my outlook on food and exercise from one of wanting to be skinny to one of wanting to be healthy (adding light to darkness).

Before I knew it this method of adding light to darkness trickled into this area of my life, transforming me forever. I began to get curious about exercise and discovered that when it comes to working-out it’s all about me, and what works for me. Exercising is not a one-size-fits-all. Before this, I felt awful when I wouldn’t complete my workouts because I was bored, or simply wasn’t enjoying myself. Still, because I wanted to be strong and flexible and healthy I kept searching for a workout routine that I enjoyed, which ultimately led me to Yoga and now Pilates.  Then, my curiosity for learning about nutrition began to expand tremendously. It was no longer just about not eating bread for a month to see the pounds drop, it was about what was going to make me really healthy. What foods could provide the best nutrition for my body? (adding light to darkness)

By adding light to darkness I have transformed in that I no longer think about my body or food in negative ways. I work-out because I want to. I eat healthy because I want to. Because at the end of the day it makes me feel great when I do. By no means does this mean that I work out five days a week or that I don’t have my favorite red-velvet cupcake. All this means is that by adding light to a once dark area of my life I’ve been able to overcome a very difficult area of my life. I’m more comfortable in my own skin. I can now tell the difference between being overweight and needing/wanting to be toned. The negative thoughts that played in my head like a broken record no longer govern my life. I am a work-in-progress and I can see that for what it is, nothing more nothing less.

Taken March 2011 when I thought I was FAT

Adding light to a dark area of our life can be easier than we think; but only if we’re willing to work at it. Sometimes we stay in the darkness because it’s all we know, it's become habit to think the thoughts we think. But the truth is there’s no better way to live than to live in the light. Our quality of life will be better once we step into it.

How did my enlightenment physically change me? Well it's funny, once I started viewing nutrition and exercise differently, I began to eat better and exercise more. This led to shedding some pounds, which led to some toning, which led to some flattening of the belly. Because I noticed all the positive changes I was making, I was able to notice how my body was also changing for the better. In the past, any change would have gone unnoticed.  I've said it before, but I'll say it again, FOCUS IS EVERYTHING.

Taken May 2016 with my Grandson

As you can see my one thought of “I want to be healthy” shifted my entire thought process, which ultimately liberated me from a lifetime of self-mental abuse on my body image. So call to action this week is for you to take notice of any area of your life that’s consumed by darkness and begin to add light, start with a candle light if that’s all you can give. What’s important is that you take that first step to light up your world.

If Not Now, When!

Toward the end of 2015 I watched a clip of Oprah Winfrey announcing she was joining Weight Watchers. Winfrey basically said that she was not going to dwell on any past failures because each of those “failures” led her to where she was today. Her decision was steered by one thought, “if not now, when?”

Pic from our family vacation, Malibu, CA

Since we are almost half-way through the year I ask that you take stock of your year thus far. Starting today, take notice of what improvements you’ve made--no matter how big or small. Leave behind any feelings of disappointment for all the things you haven’t yet achieved. But most of all, understand that if you tried to make a change and you haven’t succeeded yet, all is not lost.

Whether you can see it or not, progress was made. A seed was planted. Now it’s time to cultivate. Reassess your goals, set deadlines and make an action plan that will thrust you straight into seeing results. Furthermore, don’t discount the changes or the progress that you have made. Sometimes you don’t even realize how much progress you’ve made because you’re focused on the BIG goal. It is wise to sit down and begin to take note of all the ways in which your life has changed for the better. For example, if your goal was to get healthy, have you improved in at least one area? Say, are you now down from five sodas to one. In order to stay on track it is important to notice all the ways in which you are moving toward your goal.

In my own life I can see progress (I can see it because I’m looking):

Being healthy and active is now a regular part of my life, not something I wish for.

I traveled (got on  a plane again and didn’t let past fears stop me)

I completed my 2^nd novel, and got feedback from literary agents (this one, I’m especially proud of. I’ve only been writing since 2009 and when I send my queries out my heart is my throat. So when I finally get feedback, when they actually request my manuscript, words cannot express the relief and joy I feel at knowing that I am growing. I am changing. I am progressing.)

Had I focused on things like: well I’m still not working-out five days a week. Or I only traveled once this year. Or I still don’t have a publishing deal; I would be missing out on seeing all the good that’s happened. Focus is everything!

As I usually do, I will ask you to take the challenge of taking your life into your own hands. Take whatever steps necessary to reach your goals. Start by focusing on how great you really are: because if not now, then when?

Till Next Time.

My husband and me loving our time together at Malibu, CA

 

How to Feel ALIVE and BALANCED in Minutes

When something in my life is not exactly the way I pictured it would be, it throws me completely off. And when I’m derailed, everything suffers, including my health. I’m not sure about you, but when I get like this, I need to remedy it quickly. I am so uncomfortable that it feels like I can’t be inside my body. It’s like I don’t fit. I get constant headaches, and every single bone in my body hurts. So needless to say I search for ways to get out of it quickly.

The thing I have found that works like a charm is meditation! But wait, before you stop reading, you should really give it a shot. I know you’ve heard it before, and perhaps you’ve tried it and thought "this is not for me," but I disagree. Meditation is for everyone. There’s no way it can’t be.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m fairly new at meditating, therefore, I still need a little guidance, so I use guided meditation. I've had a really difficult month, and during my month from hell, I meditated every day, but in the last week, I didn’t just meditate, I listen to a Chakra Clearing meditation. And let me tell you! I FEEL ALIVE!!!

For those of you who don’t know anything about “chakras” here’s a brief explanation as defined by a Mind Body Green article “The 7 Chakras for Beginners,” “The seven chakras are the centers in our bodies in which energy flows though”.  When any one of these points is blocked, it could cause major problems in our bodies and mind.

So knowing this, I immediately turned to handy-dandy YouTube and searched for a “chakra clearing” meditation. And I found many, but I’ve been listening to this one Before Sleep | Spoken Guided Meditation | Chakra Alignment | Chakra Balance . And Wow does this work! After several days of using this method I began to feel better, not just mentally but physically.  During the clearing I was able to do things that I couldn’t do while I was “awake”.  I was able to send my troubles away by sending forgiveness.  

For me, this seems to be one of the things I struggle with the most: forgiving others who I feel has wronged me or someone that I love. But, in my meditated state I could see the amazing benefits of forgiveness and I wanted to reap the benefits. I wanted release from the pain and anguish. I wanted happiness again, and the weight to be lifted from my shoulders. I wanted peace. And in my experience, forgiveness is the only way to achieve this.  Forgiveness doesn’t have to be this difficult impossible thing to give, after all, forgiveness doesn’t mean that you accept what a person has done to you. Forgiveness, as I see it, means you no longer choose to carry the other person’s burden. Forgiving someone means you set it down, and move on with your happy life.

I hope my experience with meditation has sparked some curiosity in you and you try it for yourself. If you do and it helps, feel free to share your experience with me. I'd love to hear from you!

 

Till Next Time!

How to Find Your Muse

I've learned that the best way to find my muse is to look for examples of those who are already doing what I want. This brings me to Shannon Kaiser. Kaiser is a best-selling author, travel writer and life coach.

Kaiser left her career in advertising to follow her dreams of being a writer. Through her YouTube channel and Play with the World website  I’ve been able to follow her journey around the world.  Kaiser is proof that living the life we want is possible. The key is to recognize what each of us—individually want. We are all different human beings with different wants and needs, and as such we must be clear on what we desire. Some of us may be happy climbing the corporate world, acquiring tons of titles, degrees and initials after our name, but others may not.  Being crystal clear about our goals is an important step in finding our muse.

People like Kaiser inspire me because she serves as a reminder that what I want is possible. Not long ago she was working the 9-5 (and then some) corporate world, and by her own admission she was riveted by depression and anxiety. She knew things had to change, that a major transformation had to take place, if for no other reason, for her health.

Though quitting her job did come with the natural fears--those that come with leaving our financial securities behind,  she didn’t give herself the option to turn back, she jumped all in. She decided that going forward she would only work on what she loved, work that brought her joy. After a short time Kaiser created a life that she loved. She got an agent, she got published, she travels the world writing about her experiences and she's a life coach. Because of her hard work and dedication, people have taken notice: Kaiser was named Top 100 Women to Watch in Wellness by Mind Body Green.

No matter what our dreams, it is important to find others who are doing what we sometimes deem “impossible.” By doing so we are reminded that we too can do it.

So go on, seek and you shall find the inspiration you need.

Till Next Time

Nyle DiMarco: Redefining Our Beliefs

Every now and then I come across people that inspire me beyond measure, today, this person is Nyle DiMarco.

Nyle DiMarco is a contestant on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and the winner of the 22^nd season of Americas Next Top Model. What is so special about him you ask? Well DiMarco is deaf!  And while that alone doesn’t make him special, his determination to not let his deafness be a limitation but an asset does.

Week after week DiMarco dances with such precision and rhythm that I can't help but be baffled, yet completely inspired. Since he can’t hear the music, his only way of keeping rhythm is by being in tune with his dance partner. In my opinion he is the best dancer of this season, and is guaranteed to take home the mirror ball.

It is people like DiMarco that live to remind us that anything is possible. Sometimes we let our beliefs limit us, but he is proof that beliefs can either limit us or set us free. He could’ve listened to the belief that said, “I’m deaf, so I can’t dance—at least not well”.  Yet, this couldn’t be further from the truth. He, a deaf man dances—better than most on the show that can hear the music.

Let DiMarco’s serve as an example, to motivate us and push us past our own limited beliefs. What have we been telling ourselves we can’t do because of________________.  Recognize in this moment that this is the only thing preventing us from having it. Our beliefs make our lives. So let us start creating the life we came to live by eliminating our limited beliefs. With the right beliefs guiding our lives, anything is possible. Watch DiMarco dance and you'll be convinced of this!

Till Next Time!

How Changing On The Inside, Changes Your Outside

If nothing is changing on the outside, it’s because nothing has changed on the inside. I try to remember this every day, especially when things aren’t panning out exactly how I planned.

 

Whenever I get upset about not seeing things manifested, I’m reminded of a popular phrase that circulates around this way of thinking—thoughts become things. If you’re looking into a mirror and you don’t like your reflection, you don’t reach for the mirror trying to change the reflection there. You must be the one to change, and then, the reflection in the mirror will change. We must change the things we think about in order to see a change in the physical world.

 

Same goes for our lives. Aside from the obvious love I have for my family, the “thing” I value most is my freedom. Freedom to do as I please, when I please and how I please, which usually means spending time with my family and taking care of myself—exercising, meditating, traveling, shopping….

Like I’ve said before, pretty much everything in my life is damn near perfect, all but one little thing, that darn 9-5 that makes me feel stuck! However, as 2015 came to a close I was presented with an opportunity that promised to finally move my life in the direction I’d been dreaming of.  I had done it! I had manifested my freedom-- in a good positive way.  But then, fear took over, I began to panic over the uncertainty the lied ahead, and just like that, POOF my opportunity vanished.

I realized this: the reason it sometimes takes longer to see on the outside what I’m seeing on the inside is because I don’t fully believe that what I want is possible. But, every time I do believe it, once it just is-- like the air that I breathe, it ALWAYS SHOWS UP. Every time. Without fail. The reason the things I don’t want show up so much faster is because I find those things more plausible.

The lesson today is simple. In order to change the outside world, you must believe in your inside world more!

Till Next Time!

 

Answering the Call of Inspiration

What is inspiration? Is it something that only applies to those in the creative field? Or is inspiration something we all have access to?

Inspiration is kind-of-a tricky thing. It doesn’t warn us when it’s coming. Or how it’s coming. Or even what topic it will lay upon our heart. The only promise it makes is that it will come to all of us.

So, what will you do with it when it comes? Will you even recognize it when it’s upon you--begging you to help it take form? And if you do recognize it, will you put it off till later? Or will you do something about it? This is exactly what I want to talk to you about. Adhering to the call of inspiration.

Inspiration can hit any of us at any time. It can whisper in our ear as we sleep. Or it can shout at us while we drive. It will swirl around us for days, months, sometimes even years. But with each passing hour that we don’t answer, we take the chance of inspiration leaving us. This is not to say that it won’t come back again, but more than likely not with the same inspiration.

How many times have you had a great idea, one that won’t leave you alone? You think about it all the time and get goose-bumps at the thought of “it” coming to fruition. But because you did nothing about it, later you see someone else “took” your idea.  Well, that idea wasn’t taken from you. You gave it away.  

Inspiration occurs for a reason, it wants to be created. It must find its way into the world and it has come to you to make it happen. But you can be sure of this; if you don’t answer its call, it will find a new host. We all get those bursts of inspiration, it’s up to us to listen and take action.

So this, is this week’s call to action. The next time inspiration comes knocking at your door, whispering things like, I should write down this recipe, you should do it. Or I think having a store selling “____” is a great idea. You should do it. Or I really like writing, or singing or acting, or being a coach or a teacher or a mechanic. You should do it. Get the point?

Inspiration will come to each of us in different ways, and it is our duty to obey for the advancement of the world. Think about all the amazing things we would be missing out on if others had ignored their inspiration like sometimes we ignore ours. People like Walt Disney and JK Rowling have made amazing contributions to the entertainment world because they listened.  This goes for all industries--all inspiration matters. So go ahead, listen closely to what inspiration is trying to have you do and DO IT.  

Till Next Time!

 

Morning Rituals: Successful People Swear By Them, Shouldn’t You?

Morning rituals… what’s that all about?

For starters, some of the most successful people of our time swear by morning rituals: such as Tony Robins, Oprah Winfrey, Mark Zuckerberg and the late Steve Jobs to name a few.  Their morning rituals, is partly what sets them apart from the rest.

Morning rituals are a way to get your day started on the right foot. Rituals such as exercising, meditating and tackling your hardest task first are essential in creating the day AND life you desire. Steve Jobs once said that the first thing he did each morning was to look in the mirror and ask himself, "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" He said, "And whenever the answer had been no for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something."

Because I know how powerful morning rituals are, I did them, and what transpired was pretty remarkable.  I began to see great progress in my life. However, because I’ve been a little busy lately, I started to neglect my morning rituals and I have noticed a huge change in my attitude—as far as the way I tackle the day ahead. I’m not as optimistic or relaxed or happy. Needless to say, tomorrow I go back to my routine.

Your morning ritual can be anything that makes you feel good. It shouldn’t be forced. For example, if the thought of meditating freaks you out, then don’t push yourself to it. Though, I recommend you try to slowly incorporate meditation as part of your routine. Meditation is a way to center yourself. It’s a reset of sorts. Most of the time, if not always, you will come out of meditation with a new and clear mindset.  But until you are able to make your way there, do other things that will help start your day right. Go for a short walk, 10 or 15 minutes and watch the sun come up. Or listen to something positive, even 10 minutes of something motivational can get you AND keep you pumped the entire day. Stay away from your phone, computer and television. All those things will only interrupt the process.

Try it for one week. I am confident that you will start to notice great changes in your days and life. Plus, you will be better equipped to handle the tough things that may come your way each day.

Till Next Time!

 

Top Reason Why You Hate Working-Out

Have you ever decided to start working out only to quit before the first day? If so, you probably experienced the same problem as me.

I have been on a health journey for the last three years, one that includes eating superfoods, practicing yoga and meditation. Through this journey I learned a very valuable lesson that I want to share with you. Prior to starting this journey I was drawn to yoga and the people who practiced it. I placed yogis into this holistic-peace-loving category of people, and I desperately wanted to be like them. However, not having an athletic bone in my body and being extremely challenged—as far as flexibility goes, I didn’t see how I could ever do yoga. Still, the desire to practice yoga wouldn’t leave me alone and so I decided to just go for it.

Fast forward to three years later, and I am happy to report that I can do yoga and I love it. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no better way to get fit. Yet, even knowing this, I started to dabble into other areas of fitness, like weight lifting and cardio, and this is what happened. I went from practicing yoga every day to not exercising at all. Why, you ask? The reason is simple. I started to dread my workouts. So instead of going back to yoga (most logical choice) I decided to “stick” with the new exercise program I had committed to.

This is where the lesson lies; many of us don’t get past the first day of our workout because we are dreading what we’ve signed up for. Knowing what I know now, I can say with certainty that if you want to reach your fitness goals, you must be in love with the program you select. Sure, it may take you some time to find out just what that program is, but once you do, you will realize that exercising is not as bad as you thought it was.

Through this journey I realized that I don’t like cardio, in fact, I hate it. However, knowing that cardio is vital to my health, I found a way to fit cardio into my life that doesn’t totally tear me apart. I enjoy going for walks in the afternoons with my husband; so, when I get home from work, we walk to a plaza near our home, we typically walk 3.5 miles a day, more than I ever would if I were on a treadmill.

So I suggest this:  dedicate yourself to finding the right fitness program for you, because once you do, it will change your fitness life forever.

 

 

 

Self Love - Vital Step in Getting Along with Others

 

So let’s call February the month of love, but not just because of Valentine’s Day, but because after applying some of the techniques I provided in January, the next valuable step is the practice of LOVE.

What do I mean by practicing love? Well, I mean showing yourself some love!

Do you ever find yourself trying to have a good day, yet every single person you come into contact with ends up annoying you? I think this has little to do with them, and everything to do with you. Hear me out.

I am of the belief that anything you want reflected on the outside, must begin on the inside. So, if you find yourself wishing others were kinder to you, then start by being kinder to yourself. This means speaking only in the highest terms about yourself. You may be thinking, well, this doesn’t apply to me, I’m super confident and I totally love myself. And if you feel that way, that’s good, but I would ask that you make certain that is true.

A great way to test if you are showing yourself the kind of love that you want to see in others is by listening to some of the self-talk you may be engaging in without realizing so, as in, “I’ll never get that promotion, if I’d only….; Or “I need to lose 10lbs I’m so….; Or “if only I had done ___ I would have…”

Believe it or not, this type of dialogue is precisely the thing you must cut from your life if you want to see a change in the “love” category (aka other people annoying you, other people’s faults, other people’s attitude). Negative self-talk  is often a domino affect that trickles down to others around you, thereby making you see the worse in them, instead of the good.  To give you a little boost on getting started, I recommend a great read, Jane Sincero’s “You are a Badass”.

http://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Badass-Doubting-Greatness/dp/0762447699

I hope this  book helps get you started on the best trend of your life, practicing self-love.

Till Next Time!

 

 

Planning and Dreaming and Visualizing the Year Ahead!

I don’t know about you, but for me, visualizing all the things I want is a fun step in the creation process. So, to assist in this step, I create visions boards.

In case you don’t know what that is, it is simply a collection of pictures that match up with the goals you have already written down. This is a fun step in setting up your year ahead. After you’ve completed the steps mentioned in previous post, this last step should be easy and fun.

Begin by either searching the internet for photos that match your goals, or dig out those old magazines that you will never read and start cutting out things that catch your eye.

Things to lookout for: When I first did my vision board, I did it on a white poster board. I went through all my magazines, cut out letters to make words that inspired me and pictures that did the same. Then I hung it up in my bedroom where I could see it daily. The only problem was that it wasn’t very pretty, as far a décor went. So the following year, I decided to get a binder and construction paper and do my vision board that way. I found all the pictures that inspired me, glued them on the construction paper, placed the construction paper inside plastic sheets, then inside the binder, and I was done. The problem was that I put the binder away and didn’t look at again. That’s a no-no.

So finally, I found what worked for me. I went Jo Ann’s and bought a picture frame that I fell in love with. Then, I found craft paper that spoke to me to use as a background (pictures of maps since I really want to travel).  First, I glued the craft paper down. Then, I glued all the pictures and words in a way that inspired me on top of it. Then, I hung the picture-frame/vision board in my home office, over my desk where I could see it daily and be reminded of all the things I was working for.

Creating a vision board is a great step in getting you to start visualizing. Visualizing will get you excited for what’s ahead. That feeling is the key to obtaining your goals. Being content NOW, will attract the things that you want.

So have fun with this step and if you do a vision board and would like to share it with us I would love to see your master piece.

 

Till Next Time

 

Why Knowing Your Why is Important

In honor of January, I’m going to stick with the theme of setting goals to ensure that you successfully set up your year.

If you’re anything like most people, chances are that you have already defaulted on your new year’s resolutions. If you have, don’t’ worry, I’m here to offer some tips on how to get you back on board.

First, let’s eliminate the word resolution and let us call it goals, I think this is a better way to look at  it. Then, let’s try to understand why you have defaulted so soon.

The reason could be because you don’t know your why. Setting goals and setting a plan are both great ways to get the year started; however, equally as important is knowing your why. If you have already set your goals and have decided upon a plan of action, now it’s time to do one more step. Know your why! This powerful step will provide you with the fuel you need that will get you back on board and/or keep you going until your goal is achieved.

Let us say that you have a financial goal of doubling your annual income by the end of the year (goal). And,  you have already written down what you’re going to do daily to achieve this goal (action). Now, on a brand new page of your 2016 journal, write the goal as your heading and write down your why. Maybe your why is so that you can buy a house. Or maybe it is so that you can finally take that vacation you’ve always wanted. Or maybe, you want to get out of debt . Whatever it is, putting a reason behind your goal gives it a deeper meaning and understanding as to why achieving this goal is so important, thus reminding you why you must get back on board, and/or keep going until you have successfully reached it.  Be colorful in your description. I recommend that you add several things to your description of why:

1. What is my Why:   I want to double my income so that I can finally take that month long vacation to Europe.
2. Write a story about what you want:    I can’t wait to take my vacation next Spring. Upon earning the money, I will decide on which countries I will visit, then, I  will book my flight and hotel,. Finally, I will go shopping for… etc.
3. How will I feel once I achieve my goal:   I will feel like anything is possible. I will feel happy that I reached a goal that I set only 12 short months ago.

Don't feel bad if you have defaulted, or never even started, or feel lost in taking your goals to the next level. It is never too late to get a plan together.  The important thing is that you have a desire to make this year different than all the others. That desire WILL eventually get you on track to success.

Next week I will provide another vital step in getting you all set up for a successful year.

Till Next Time.

How to Solve Any Problem

Have you ever wondered why something is “happening” to you? If you have, then this post was written just for you.

The first thing I would like you to do is to open your mind to the possibility that what I’m about to tell you is true. Then, envision your current “problem” with this new point of view.

So now that you’re ready to accept what I’m about to tell you without any resistance, here it is. What if your current problem is not happening to you, but instead it is responding to you? I’ll wait while it sinks in…

Jeopardy Theme Song

One of the most important steps in solving any problem is accepting responsibility for our part in it. By taking ownership of our “problem” we have suddenly shifted things in our favor, making it possible to find a solution. One of the worse things we as human beings can feel is that feeling of hopelessness, that feeling that says we are not in control, or that life is out of control. But nothing could be furthest from the truth. The fact of the matter is that life is not happening to you, it is responding to you. Your life is made up of the thoughts that you hold, because those thoughts guide your feelings, your feelings guide your actions, your actions lead to your life.

Taking ownership of our “problems” doesn’t excuse others from whatever part they played in it; it simply gives us the power, the control to change it without expecting others to do it for us.

If you want to test this theory, it’s simple. Take one of your major problems, then push away any thoughts that blame others for your current condition, and own it. If you do it correctly, you will start to see the role you played in it, which created that problem. Good news is, now that you can see how you created the problem, you can also see how to solve this and any other “problem” you may be having.

It all starts with taking control of your life and knowing that it is up to you to change it. With faith in yourself, a plan and action you can solve any problem and avoid most others.

 Till Next Time!