Oct 31, 2019 | Podcast
Do you believe Financial Freedom is possible for you? Is it even an option, or do you believe it’s something reserved for other people? Not you. No way… you’re an “X” so you can’t possibly be financially free…
It isn’t true. Financial freedom IS an option for every single one of us, no matter your age, income, family status or education. In today’s episode, I explore what it takes to become financially free, no matter who you are or what your situation is.
I share 5 steps you can take. I’ve also written about these, so whether you choose to read or listen (or both), give yourself permission to believe that financial freedom is possible for YOU. Not just a possibility, but an inevitability.
IN TODAY’S SHOW YOU WILL LEARN:
- How this is one of the most common questions I get from listeners, and why the idea of financial freedom seems so impossible for so many
- Why defining what financial freedom means to you is the first step (and how it’s possibly the most important one of all)
- How YOU can choose to open the door to financial freedom or keep it closed for the rest of your life
- What the 5 Steps to Financial Freedom are, and how you can choose to take each one of them (there’s no time like now)
- About the book that changed my life, and how it helped me escape $130,000 of debt
- How an athlete recently changed my entire perception of what’s possible, and how it’s got more to do with your financial freedom than you may think
- A few tactical steps you can take to monitor your finances and become aware of exactly how much you have at all times
- Why the number “5” is so important when it comes to creating true financial freedom
TODAY’S RESOURCES:
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One of the most common questions I’m sent focusses on… yep, you guessed it: MONEY!
Financial Freedom… is it even possible for a person like me?
I see other people who have it.
I would love to have it. If I did…
- I’d feel less stressed…
- My relationships would be better…
- I could travel more and experience new things…
- I would give my family the life they deserve…
But… BUT… I guess it just isn’t for me. I’m “X”, so surely someone like me would never have true financial freedom. I’ll always have to live on a budget, be careful with my money and save relentlessly.
This is my life. I guess I just have to accept it.
NO! If you can relate to this in any way, please know that it is NOT true. Financial Freedom is possible for you, and I believe it’s possible for every one of us.
Financial Freedom… Closer Than You Think?
Not long ago, I was $130,000 in debt. The idea of financial freedom was a distant dream. I too didn’t allow myself to think it was possible, which is why I remained stuck where I was for so long.
The first step to all this is to know that you can have it.
Financial freedom is possible. It IS possible for you.
I promise you that.
The next step is to define it. This is where most people get stuck. I speak to listeners and clients who tell me about why they couldn’t possibly be financially free. So I ask them: what does it look like for you?
Often, they do not know.
They’ve never thought about it.
It’s time to. What does becoming financially free mean to you?
- Is it an extra $2,000 per month?
- Is it to pay your bills and have enough left over for an annual vacation?
- Is it to buy the car you’ve always wanted (or a boat)?
There’s no right or wrong answer. Financial freedom means something different to everyone. That’s the point. You need to define what it means to you. Once you do, you can work your way toward it.
Until you do, you’ll likely remain stuck in a scarcity mindset.
Get clear about what you want. Once you have, these 5 Steps to Financial Freedom will help.
1: Take Full Ownership of Your Earning Power
I discuss all 5 of these steps in greater detail in the podcast episode that accompanies this. I encourage you to listen to it in full, as I explore financial freedom in a way I never could in an article like this one.
It all begins — no matter what your situation is or how you define financial freedom — with this: YOU taking ownership of your earning power.
This means you have to STOP accepting your current life (unless it’s one you love, of course). You can have any life you wish. It is possible. It’s within your reach.
But nobody will hand it to you.
YOU are the one who must take it.
Instead of coming up with excuses about why you can’t… focus on solutions that you’ve yet to try. In this day and age, everyone can make more money. Maybe you need to get creative. Maybe you need to take a risk. Maybe you need to push outside your comfort zone. Maybe you need to do all these things…
It’s possible. You must believe this!
2: Get and Stay Debt Free
I talk more about the sort of debt you need to stay clear of in the episode, so be sure to listen to it in full.
The point is that you’ll never become financially free while you have debt hanging over your head.
Depending on how much debt you have, it may be a tough and long road ahead.
But it is possible for you to get debt-free, and more important… Stay Debt Free!
Not long ago, I was stuck with $130,000 of debt. It hung over me like a dark cloud. I never believed I would escape it. Yet I read ‘Total Money Makeover’ by Dave Ramsey, which showed me a simple process to take. Did I become debt-free overnight? No.
Did I take daily steps and make more progress than I ever thought possible? YES!
Whatever your debt is, you can escape it. If you want financial freedom, you need to make it a priority.
3: Level Up!
Wherever you are right now, you need to set a new standard for yourself. A higher standard; one that expects more of you, and pushes you to challenge yourself to grow.
There are three aspects to this:
1: Mindset
You need to level up your mindset. Instead of settling for what you have, get clear on what you can have and who you can become. I use affirmations to remind myself of who I want to be and where I am going every day. I push myself to level up every single day.
It begins within you. YOU need to set a higher standard for the life YOU live.
2: Environment
Who do you surround yourself with? Do they have a positive impact on you, or do they fuel the scarcity mindset that keeps you settling for less?
You can’t always rid yourself of all the people you would like (family, for instance), but maybe you can distance yourself from some. Either way, you can choose to spend time with positive, abundant people. You can join a mastermind or hire a mentor.
You can even start small by joining a free Facebook Group like our Primal Potential one.
3: Education
You likely don’t have all the answers you need, but all the information you require is available to you. Dave Ramsey’s book helped me escape debt. There are podcasts and video series, and courses designed to help you level up your money management.
Level up. It’s time to level up your mindset, environment and education.
4: Monitor!
If you know me, you know how much I value AWARENESS!
It’s the first step to all growth. You cannot begin until you know where you are. The same applies to your financial freedom. You need to monitor and track it, and measure the progress you make.
I discuss a few ways I do this in the episode that accompanies this article.
Listen to it in full to learn a few practices to monitor and measure your wealth.
Once you do, your financial freedom will become more possible than ever before.
5: Diversify
One of the biggest barriers that prevents people from financial freedom is the belief that one income stream is enough. You need to have a very good job to achieve this.
Even then it will steal so much of your time that you won’t feel free.
For financial freedom, you need multiple streams of income — I personally believe you need five.
Here’s mine:
- Real Estate
- Stocks and Bonds (not including my 401K)
- My Primary Hustle (Primal Potential, and all the products and services that come under it)
- Books/Royalties
- My Side Hustle (Amare — the mental wellness company I’m involved with)
The point is to not place all your eggs in a single basket. If you do, and your situation changes, your entire world can flip upside down. Always look to diversify your income. If you currently have one, think about how you can add a second.
Start small, progress and keep going until you have five income streams that fuel your ideal lifestyle.
Financial freedom isn’t a fantasy. For many generations throughout history it was. That is no longer the case. You have access to so much opportunity that it would be ridiculous if you didn’t take advantage.
You deserve financial freedom.
It is within your reach.
It begins by defining what financial freedom means to you. Get clear on this. Don’t just read this and listen to the podcast… Take action. Take the time to think about YOUR financial freedom. Once you do, you may see it’s not only possible… but rather inevitable.
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Thanks for reading. Please listen to the podcast that accompanies this article in full, as I discuss these 5 steps to financial freedom in much greater detail. I also share several practical steps you can take today, so you no longer have to settle for less.
I’ve been there. When I had a $130,000 debt hanging over me, I didn’t believe financial freedom was possible for me. Yet today I am. If I can do it, so can you. I explain how in this episode ⇒
Thanks again for listening and reading. If you have any questions about financial freedom, add them in the comments below. And to subscribe to the podcast and connect with me on social media, follow the links below.
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Oct 28, 2019 | Podcast
What separates successful people from those who are stuck in the “struggle”? When you’re stuck in it, it often feels impossible to break free; as though it’s out of your control. Yet successful people also face adversity, obstacles and pain. It’s how they approach all this that sets them apart…
In this episode, I discuss the 10 rules of success that successful people live by. I was inspired to record this after two recent conversations I’ve had. Speaking to these two powerful, successful women made me question: is success a choice? Can we choose to escape the struggle?
Yes! I explain how in this episode, sharing the 10 rules of success that successful people commit to on a daily basis. I’ve written an article that accompanies this below, so whether you read, listen or both… make today the day you choose to break free from the struggle for good.
IN TODAY’S SHOW YOU WILL LEARN:
- How two recent conversations inspired this episode on success, “the struggle” and what is possible for you and your life
- About the way successful people think and act, and how these common traits shine through no matter who the person is or their situation
- The 10 rules successful people live by, and how those stuck in the “struggle” tend to lose sight of these
- BUT how even those in the struggle often abide by at least a few of these rules already
- The role awareness plays in all this, and how it’s oftentimes the first step (and one of the most important you can take)
- That successful people don’t face fewer obstacles than anyone else (they usually face more), but how they react to them and prepare for them that differs to most
- What the most important rule is, and how even if you master the other nine… it all unravels unless you master this ONE aspect
- How you can ensure 2020 is your year of success, and the steps you can take today to make this happen
TODAY’S RESOURCES:
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Is success a choice? Or are some people just destined for it?
Go back a few years and I subscribed to the latter. I didn’t think it was possible for me. It was too hard, and I wasn’t sure if it would even be worth it. Some people seem to have it, and others don’t.
I wasn’t one of them. And that was okay… I guess.
If you know me at all today, you know I no longer think this way. I know success is possible. It’s a choice. It isn’t reserved for a special bunch, and it has little to do with money. The most successful people in the world weren’t destined to become a success story. They faced adversity, too. They had to struggle.
It wasn’t easy for them, yet these are the excuses so many people use. “I’m not successful because”
- I don’t have the time…
- I have a family…
- I’m sick, or someone I love is…
- I didn’t have the best upbringing…
- I don’t have a degree or experience…
I’ve been stuck in the “struggle”, too. I spent a lot of my life there. It was hard. At times, it felt impossible to escape it. But I did, and as I look back now I only wish I had broken free sooner.
Because it was never not available to me.
At any point in my life, I could have chosen success.
Two Recent Conversations Led Me To This…
I recently had two incredible conversations with two powerful, successful women.
If you haven’t listened to these two conversations in full, I encourage you to because they were so impactful. I walked away from both with a surge of energy.
I heard stories about their past and their struggles, and the journey they’ve taken to who they are today.
They chose success, despite it seeming like success didn’t choose them.
A question formed in my head… is success a choice?
I knew it was, which means there must be certain rules successful people live by that everyone else does not. I reflected on this and came up with 10 rules for success that I’d like to share with you here.
I learned these, not just from speaking to Bec and Megan but having escaped the struggle myself…
1: Successful People Pay Attention Instead of Avoiding
Before we get into it, I encourage you to listen to the podcast episode that accompanies this article. I talk about all 10 rules in greater detail and share lots of stories and examples.
Listen to the podcast episode here ⇒
And look, chances are you live by some of these rules already. That’s great. But be honest with yourself. It has to be a strength of yours. If you only do one of the rules sometimes, it’s not a strength.
Make it your aim to work on all 10 rules and turn each one into a strength.
Starting with this one: Pay Attention!
Successful people do. They’re aware of how they feel, what their biggest problem is and where their focus should go. They’re also aware of when they’re avoiding something.
It’s a sign to tackle it right now. Because it won’t go away until you do, and it will only get worse.
Awareness is always the first step. I share a few questions I ask myself throughout the day to achieve this in the episode. It’s so simple to do, but the impact it has is incredible.
2: Successful People Create Clarity
Anytime you meet a successful person you can guarantee they’re clear on what they’re doing. They have a purpose, vision and mission. They keep it top of mind, focussing on it each day.
Does life try to distract them? Of course.
But they don’t let it. They remain clear on their path.
This is one of the main reasons I journal. Each day, I remind myself of where I’m going. I reconnect to it and get clear on what I need to do to progress.
3: Successful People Make Growth a Priority
This is a big one and is why so many people are stuck in the “struggle”. Each day, they react to life. It doesn’t feel like they have hold of the wheel, and that’s because they don’t.
They rush from one task to another and react to put out fires here, there and everywhere.
Successful people DO NOT do this. They don’t go through the motions and allow life to get the better of them. They make growth a priority, every single day: be it personal growth, their business or relationships.
They set aside time for it. They plan for it. They prioritize it, and it’s always high on their list.
4: Successful People Pursue Possibility
The cliche says that you’re either glass-half-full or glass-half-empty.
Those in the “struggle” are the latter. Maybe they weren’t always like this. Maybe they don’t think like this all the time. But when it comes to making a change, they focus on the obstacles in front of them instead of the opportunities on the other side.
Successful people have the same obstacles and barriers. But they also have a vision and know what’s possible if they achieve it. They don’t focus on all the times they failed in the past. They look at those as a lesson to make this next time count.
Make the impossible, possible!
5: Successful People Do Not Rush!
I used to find this strange, because I’d meet a truly successful person who had a much busier and more chaotic life than me, yet still seemed to be on top of things.
How is that possible?
Where everyone else rushes through life, they seem to take their time…
It’s a choice. It’s one I’m still learning to make, and am working on it each day. I cannot control life or what it throws at me, and being a business owner and soon-to-be-mother means I’ll always have a full schedule. Yet I don’t need to rush, multitask and think about the next thing before I finish this thing!
You can choose to be present, quiet your mind and focus on NOW. Take your time. Do it right. You don’t have to rush. Successful people don’t. It’s one of the reasons they’re successful in the first place.
6: Successful People Take Ownership Instead of Making Excuses
Sometimes something will go wrong. Maybe it’s your fault. Maybe it’s somebody else’s. The go-to reaction for almost everyone is to assign blame. Get angry. Get frustrated. Get mad and focus all your energy on the thing that went wrong.
Yeah… doesn’t make much sense, does it?
Instead of using all your energy on the mistake, you could use it on finding the solution. This is what successful people do. They take ownership no matter what and focus on getting past the problem, not clinging to it.
7: Successful People Look For The Lesson
This follows on from above…
- Don’t play the victim
- Don’t have a pity party
- Don’t assign blame
Whatever happens, look for the lesson. See the mistake as a stepping stone to a better solution. This is what successful people do, and it allows them to grow faster and farther.
8: Successful People Are Excited
It isn’t to say they don’t have bad days, feel sad or cry at night. They aren’t always happy and live life at 100%. Successful people are still people, and emotions like these are part of the journey.
Yet successful people are excited about the mission they’re on.
They focus on what’s ahead, not what’s happened beforehand. Those stuck in the “struggle” tend to look at what went wrong, and it stops them from feeling excited about their goal/dream/vision/purpose…
Be excited. Allow yourself to feel excited about the journey ahead!
9: Successful People Deliberately Practice Discipline
Remember, successful people weren’t destined for the life they lead. They had to work for it. They had to commit to it and show up every single day. They chose to be disciplined. They weren’t born with it.
It’s a choice; a conscious one.
It’s one you have to make for yourself.
No matter what you want from life, you have to practice, show up and put in the work. It isn’t easy and you won’t always want to do it. Successful people don’t either, but they do because they know what it takes.
10: Successful People Take Action
This may be the most important rule of all…
It’s one you can practice right now.
Don’t just read this. Don’t just listen to the podcast.
Take action.
DO something!
Spend a few minutes thinking about what success means to you. Define it. Get clear on it.
Think about what success isn’t, and consider the path you’re currently on.
Make notes on what you’ve just read.
Listen to the podcast and ask yourself the questions I mention in it.
Take action. Until you do, nothing will change.
Thanks for reading and listening. If you haven’t already, please listen to the podcast that accompanies this article in full. I not only dive deeper into these 10 rules but share a few stories, examples and practices I personally use to get conscious on my success.
I never used to. I too, like so many others… remained stuck in the “struggle”.
I escaped it, and I believe anyone can. Maybe you’re there right now. Maybe not. Either way, these 10 rules can help you fulfill your best self and live the life you deserve.
Thanks again for listening and reading. If you have any questions about these 10 rules, add them in the comments below. And to subscribe to the podcast and connect with me on social media, follow the links below.
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Oct 26, 2019 | Podcast
Can we change everything about ourselves or are there some things we just need to accept? This is one of many topics we’re diving into today on this Q&A episode of the podcast!
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- I know that if you think you’re an emotional eater that is what you’ll live like. But: what if that’s what you really are? And what about being stubborn? Is that a characteristic that is really you or what? Can you really change everything you want or is it that sometimes you need to just accept that that is who you are?
- How do I push myself to get to my goal?
- Are values and standards the same thing?
- My knees hurt, I’m 80 lbs over weight, but my doctor told me I should exercise. I’m working 2 jobs and am in graduate school full time, I’m barely getting my 7 hours of sleep a it is. What can I do?
- I was wondering if you had any suggestions for adult acne? Can it be cured through one’s diet?
Today we’re giving away a bottle of Mood+! You can enter to win our weekly prizes in any or all of the following 3 ways:
- Leave a rating and review of the Primal Potential podcast in Apple Podcasts
- Leave a review of Chasing Cupcakes on Amazon
- Tag me on IG or FB with your fave Primal Potential episode or something you’ve learned from the show!
Oct 24, 2019 | Podcast
The next 10 years can be exponentially better than the last 10 years. You can choose to make huge changes, especially in those areas of life you don’t think are possible. They are. Your past doesn’t define your future, which is what we explore in today’s episode as I speak with author, wife, mom and coach, Megan Valentine.
Megan and I explore what’s possible, how to build a powerful vision and get clear on the life YOU desire. As well as exploring Megan’s journey with some revealing stories, we focus on practical steps you can take to make the changes you need to.
I’ve written an article that explores this further, so whether you choose to read, listen or both, be sure to let go of your past and embrace who you can be. Through Megan’s advice, you’ll soon be set free to make the next 10 years of your life exponentially better than the last 10 years.
IN TODAY’S SHOW YOU WILL LEARN:
- How one of her daughter’s school reports forced Megan to think about how she was living her life, and whether it was how she wished to continue to live.
- The impact in giving yourself the space to think and reflect, and how you can do this even if you live a busy and full life.
- How to overcome self-doubt, and how these insecure moments can pave the way for huge growth in the future.
- How sometimes your greatest mentor maybe someone closer to you than you can ever imagine.
- The sweet spot between being present and dreaming about the future, and why this is so important to your personal growth.
- The difference between hard work and heart work, and how learning to do both can drastically change the next 10 years of your life.
- How YOU are both the obstacle and the way (and what you can do to take control of this).
- The role “expectations” play in your life, and how learning to change them can set you free.
TODAY’S RESOURCES:
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“You were born to blaze new trails, pioneer great adventures, reclaim new territory, take daring risks. You were born to tell an original story. Be God strong and foolishly courageous, let faith, not fear be your compass.”
I recently read this quote from the ‘House of Belonging’ in Megan Valentine’s book, ‘No Place Like Known’. As soon as I read these words I thought about a topic close to my heart: what is possible.
So often we settle for less.
We don’t take risks because we’re scared.
We don’t believe we can escape the life we’ve always known.
The Impossible is possible for some. But not me. I’m not like them.
Instead of saying yes, you say no. There’s always a reason.
- I don’t have the time right now…
- I don’t have the energy…
- I don’t have enough money…
- I have too much on my plate already…
- I’m just not ready for it. Maybe one day, but not now…
There’s always a reason not to do what you know you need to. There’s always an obstacle (or ten). That’s life. It will never change. No amount of waiting for the “perfect” period will help this.
All it does is waste your time.
So what you need to ask yourself is: do I want the next ten years to be the same as the last ten?
This is the question that sparked huge transformation in Megan Valentine’s life. As she read one of her daughter’s school project about what she liked and didn’t like. She write about how she didn’t like the dark, sharks and… hurrying up.
A knot in Megan’s stomach formed.
She realized how much of a hurry she was in. How the previous ten years had gone by so fast, and how she spent so little time appreciating where she was. Instead of living her life, she survived it. She wasn’t at the wheel, she merely sat in the back going along with the ride. And it turns out she had been hurrying up her daughter at the same time.
Did she want her next 10 years to be like this?
How To Make Your Next 10 Years Better Than The Last 10 — with Megan Valentine.
In the latest episode of the Primal Potential podcast, I have a conversation with Megan Valentine about transformation, letting go of your past and redefining what is possible.
I encourage you to listen to our conversation in full, as this article only touches upon some of the aspects we talk about. It’s one of the most impactful conversations I’ve had recently, and I hope you take as much from it as I have.
It’s inspired me to write this article and consider a few key insights I took from Megan.
Each one is a reminder for me on how to live life now (and moving forward into the future).
Megan’s a great example of not settling. Where you’ve come from, and who you’ve been doesn’t have to define who you are, will be and where you’re heading.
Let go of your past and embrace the future you deserve.
1: Grace and Space
Megan had a career. A great job with greater prospects ahead. She also had a young family, and a schedule that was always full; too full.
Always go-go-go, Megan never had the time to step back to appreciate what she had.
She rushed through life. Her youngest daughter wasn’t like that, however. During our call, Megan described her daughter, talking about the type of person she was.
“Me, I get off one rollercoaster and I’m walking to the next one. But my daughter likes to stop, take what’s going in around her. ‘Mom, look, just come and look at this flower. Isn’t it beautiful.’”
Megan began to see how she lived life. Her schedule was in charge of her, not the other way around. But your schedule is only ever as full as you allow it to be. You have a choice. You have certain control.
Once her daughter turned ten-years-old, Megan asked herself if she wanted the next 10 years to be like the last 10 years. She didn’t. She wanted to have more space, and more time to appreciate what she had.
She prioritized her responsibilities and gave herself permission to reflect and slow down. It changed her life and helped her see A LOT of what was going on beneath the surface.
2: The Sweet Spot of Today and Tomorrow
Some people are dreamers, taking the time to sit back and think about who they will be tomorrow (and many years into the future). You create a vision. You can see it and practically touch it. It’s wonderful to have a vision like this, but dangerous if you spend too much time dreaming of tomorrow.
It stops you from living in the present.
So maybe you flip the script and focus on today. You slow down and remove thoughts of the future. You learn to love where you are and take life as it comes day-by-day. This is also good, but without thoughts of where you’re going, you can slip into a life of settling and going through the motions.
You need to find the sweet spot between enjoying today but also make decisions that prepare you for an amazing tomorrow.
Megan talked about this during our conversation. She spent so long dreaming of tomorrow that she spent no time appreciating the present. So she worked hard on fixing this, only to lose sight of her vision and the life she wished to build.
It isn’t either-or. You don’t have to choose between today or tomorrow. It’s possible to be both present and think of the future. Megan talked about how she found this sweet spot by giving herself permission to do both.
Dream, and also reflect.
You are so often both the obstacle and the way.
You are what holds you back, but also the solution to set you free.
3: The Difference Between Hard Work and Heart Work
Megan mentioned the difference between Hard Work and Heart Work on our call, and how you need both to live the successful life you desire.
To achieve all your dreams… it requires a lot of hard work. It won’t come easy. You need to commit to it fully, challenge yourself, invest in yourself and work harder than you ever have before.
It won’t just happen for you. You won’t wake up one day and have it.
You need to work for it, but you also need to be kind and listen to your heart. When Megan talked about ‘heart work’, she spoke of looking within, listening to your inner voice and investing in yourself.
- What are you feeling?
- What holds you back?
- What have you learned today?
- Who are you today, and who do you want to be?
You won’t have the life you desire by simply working harder. A successful business is only as successful as the person behind it. You need to grow you, upgrade your mindset and focus on… YOU.
Hard Work and Heart Work… you need both.
What Will the Next 10 Years Look Like For You?
My conversation with Megan seemed ideal, considering we’re about to enter a new decade.
As I think of 2009 and recall who I was back then, I consider what I’ve learned over the last 10 years.
- How far have I come?
- If I was to define this decade, how would I define it?
- And… what comes next?
As we enter 2020, not just a new year but a new decade, I’ll become a mother. How do I want the next 10 years to play out? What do I want my daughter’s first 10 years on this planet to be like?
How do I want these next 10 years to play out for me, my business and my relationships?
You don’t need to wait for a new decade to think about all this. Today, right now, this very moment… you can choose to make the next 10 years exponentially better than the last 10 years. You get to choose that for you. It’s your choice. It’s within your control.
Speaking to Megan reminded me of this. I hope you listen to the episode in full, and I hope it impacts you as much as it has done for me.
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Thanks for reading and listening. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to listen to my conversation with Megan Valentine in full (and consider reading her book ‘No Place Like Known’). As we enter a new decade, this conversation seems more relevant than ever.
Yet the reality is, asking these questions is relevant at all times.
Do you want the next 10 years to be better than the last 10 years?
How do you want to define the next decade: for you, your family, your business…?
Huge thanks to Megan for sharing her incredible journey with us. Please listen to it in full and take action on the steps she offers. And if you would like to start 2020 in the best possible way, I encourage you to join the 12 Weeks To Transformation wait list.
We focus on much of what we talk about in today’s episode, so join the wait list now and I’ll send you more details of 12 Weeks To Transformation soon.
Thanks again for listening and reading. If you have any questions about any of the topics we discussed in this episode, add them in the comments below. And to subscribe to the podcast and connect with me on social media, follow the links below.
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Oct 21, 2019 | Podcast
If you want to improve your life, hit that big goal, or simply become a better version of yourself, you have to upgrade your mindset. I often see people try and solve a problem with the latest tactic, trend or ‘quick fix’. At best, this offers short term relief. At worst, it sets you back and leaves you in a worse position.
Your mindset directs so much of what you do. That’s what we’re diving into today with entrepreneur and trail-blazer, Bec Sadek. Bec and I talk about her personal growth in recent years, and the steps she’s taken. We share stories about what it takes to upgrade your mindset (actual steps you can take).
I’ve written an article that accompanies this, which explores some of the biggest takeaways I’ve taken from my conversation with Bec. Whether you choose to read, listen or both, I hope this inspires you to look at your mindset and decide who you want to be moving forward.
IN TODAY’S SHOW YOU WILL LEARN:
- The journey today’s guest, Bec Sadek has been on, and how she’s personally upgraded her mindset in recent years.
- How people often search for solutions in the wrong place, and how mindset is usually the answer to most questions.
- The importance of investing in yourself, and how this investment doesn’t always involve money.
- But how money does play a vital role in your personal growth, and how everyone needs to spend it on themselves to truly upgrade their mindset.
- The role fear plays in mindset, and how to overcome it to continue your growth.
- The relationship successful people have with time, and how Bec had to learn this the hard way.
- The 3 biggest mindset shifts Bec has experienced in her own life, and what YOU can do to implement these steps into yours.
- How choosing a mentor is important to achieve all this, but how the right mentor may not be who you presume it is.
TODAY’S RESOURCES:
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Many people believe their past has greater power than their present or future does.
Who you’ve been your entire life is what will define your future.
If you’ve failed at struggled over the years, you will continue to moving forward.
Who you have been is who you are and who you always will be.
It isn’t true. It’s a choice. It often isn’t an easy choice because you only know what you know. Your past holds you back and reminds how much you’ve struggled to:
- Lose weight
- Live healthier
- Make money
- Control your emotions
- Find love…
You try to protect yourself: “maybe I’m not the sort of person who can do that. Maybe I’m average, and maybe I have to accept the fact.”
No. It is not true!
Your past doesn’t define you.
We all have one. We’re all held back by limiting beliefs, past situations, and pain that stays with us to this day. We have all lost, missed out and failed on many occasions. It’s part of living, but whatever you have gone through in the past does not define who you are today — or who you can become tomorrow.
A great example of this is Bec Sadek, a woman I haven’t known long but have learned to love and respect. She’s a holistic health coach, mom and wife. She has incredible energy, which I feel every time we talk.
One of these conversations inspired this article, as Bec and I had an honest and raw talk about mindset and the role it plays in fulfilling your potential. It’s an inspirational conversation that I hope you will listen to in full, as Bec’s journey is one to take a lot of lessons from.
Like so many, she would often think she was destined for average; that she didn’t have what it takes. Even when she took the leap and became an entrepreneur, she would often look at other people and think they had something she didn’t.
She “knew” what she had to do, but didn’t feel ready…
- “I can’t possibly focus on my personal growth until I’ve achieved more with my business.
- “I can’t spend money on myself, not when my business isn’t hitting its goals.”
- “I’ll get to that later, but first I need to achieve [fill in the blank with typical excuse] …
Feel familiar? Yeah, thought so. As I spoke to Bec, I related to a lot of her journey. The self-doubt. The insecurity. The worry that I wasn’t ready.
One of the main reasons I invited Bec on to the podcast is because she escaped this way of thinking. She upgraded her mindset and managed to get past the excuses that hold so many people back. When I speak to mutual friends about Bec, they always say how she lives and breathes personal growth.
She doesn’t just help her clients do it… she’s done it for herself. Those who know her see the impact it’s had on her, her family and her life as a whole. She’s been on an inspiring journey, and it’s one I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from.
3 Lessons I Learned From My Conversation with Bec Sadek
During our conversation, Bec said how she’s invested $30,000 into her own personal development in recent years. When she tells some people about this, it shocks them.
It didn’t shock me. I know how much goes into upgrading your mindset and growing your business. I often say that if you want to double your business, you must first triple your growth.
Not growth, as in your revenue…
Rather the growth that relates to YOU: your mindset, your own development, who you are…
Your business is only ever as strong as you are. If you want it to reach its potential, focus on ensuring you reach your potential first. Upgrading your mindset like this impacts all facets of your life.
- Your work.
- Your family.
- Your love life.
- Your relationship with yourself.
- Everything!
Oftentimes, you’ll try and solve a problem with the latest tactic, trend or quick fix. I understand why because I used to do this. The biggest example of when I did was with my weight. Rather than dive deep into the root cause, I’d jump from one diet to another.
I’d progress a little and then slip back into bad habits.
Yet once I upgraded my mindset… it all clicked into place.
Mindset is almost always the answer. It turned out it was for Bec too, who offered three mindset shifts that stuck with me. I hope they stick with you, too.
1: “I Decided The Expected Was Not For Me”
As soon as she said this, I smiled.
Bec said that she knew sitting in a small cubicle from 9-5 would never make her happy. Was she afraid to leave that life behind? Of course she was. The fear gripped her at times, and I could relate because it stopped me from leaving my job for a long time.
Yet if you’re honest with yourself, you’ll know whether the “expected” is right for you.
For a lot of people it is, and that’s fine. But for many others it isn’t. That too is fine.
Every person has their own reasons why the standard path isn’t right for them.
What matters is being honest with yourself. Facing that fear. Staring it down and deciding it won’t hold you back. Accepting this sets you free. It seemed to set Bec free because it led to her next giant mindset shift.
2: “Whatever I Want Out of Life is Possible For Me”
Bec told me how she struggled at school. She had learning disabilities, so each day was a battle. She would avoid challenges and settle for the easier path because she knew how hard she would find it.
“Maybe certain things aren’t for me,” she said to herself…
Is it any wonder she found herself in a cubicle, suffering through a 9-5 job she knew she didn’t want. For years she built a belief that most things weren’t possible for her. She would fail. She would fall short.
It’s amazing how many of us create these stories for ourselves.
Today, Bec says that if she wants something, she will get it. It reminds me of a quote from The Third Door that said, if you wonder, the answer is yes.
You get to decide what is possible for you. Nothing you want will come easy, but you get to choose to stop at this point or have it be the start line; the point in time you finally commit to living the life you want.
3: “I Realized I Didn’t Just Want More out of My Own Life, But To Inspire Others To Do The Same.”
I loved hearing this.
A huge turning point for me was realizing I wanted to build a better life not just for me, but for those around me: my family, my soon-to-be daughter, my listeners and readers, my clients…
A vision often begins with you at the center. Yet if you continue to explore this, you’ll realize you want to involve other people into it. It’s always more fulfilling when you involve others. It creates synergy and community, but also provides greater reinforcement for you and your obstacles.
I love the community I’ve built here with Primal Potential. I try to deliver as much value as I can each day, but I always get so much back from those who are a part of it. I personally find the journey easier when I involve others, and Bec described how she’s experienced something similar.
I find it one of the most important mindset shifts there is: going on your own to involving others.
Your Mindset Determines Your Tomorrow (NOT your past)
Upgrading your mindset is important, no matter where you are on your journey.
At the root cause of whatever your biggest problem is, an upgraded mindset will help you overcome it with greater ease. I didn’t always believe this. Like many, I tried to overcome my problems with trends, fads and quick-fix advice.
None of it worked.
At least, none of it was sustainable.
Upgrading my mindset set me free and upgrading your mindset will help you achieve the life you desire. Don’t try and do it on your own. Toward the end of our conversation, Bec talked about the importance of mentorship.
Not always the “expert” you have to pay for, but sometimes the person like you — only a few steps further ahead.
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Thanks for reading and listening. I took so much value from my conversation with Bec. I hope you do too. If you haven’t listened to the latest episode of the Primal Potential podcast in full, please do.
This article only skims the surface.
She offered an incredible insight into your mindset, and how you can upgrade it no matter what your situation is. I thought her outlook on mentorship was also amazing and is something I’ve personally experienced. Surrounding yourself with the right kind of person is one of the best investments you will ever make.
It’s what we strive to achieve with the 12 Weeks To Transformation. If you want 2020 to be the year you get the support you need, join the wait list now (I’ll be in touch soon with more details).
Thanks again for listening and reading. If you have any questions about your mindset, add them in the comments below. And please subscribe to the podcast and connect with me on social media. I’d love to get to know you better across those different platforms.
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Oct 19, 2019 | Podcast
Sarah and I love Saturday shows! We spend the entire episode answering your question! If you have questions or topics for the Saturday show, you can submit them here.
Here are the questions we’re tackling on today’s show. Be sure to listen in case you are winner of our weekly giveaway!
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What is the best probiotic?
What supplements do you take, Elizabeth?
If you start taking probiotics, how long until you notice a difference?
I saw that you have two side hustles. What are they are how do you make the time?
Why in the world did you say “yes” to network marketing?
You always say that you aren’t a sales person – how will you make it work for you?
How do you get over your fear of people rolling their eyes or saying no?
I’ve heard you talk about building a team. What does that mean? What does it look like to be on your team?
Here’s the private FB group we mentioned in the episode if you want to learn more about my mental wellness side hustle!
Here’s a link to the brain-focused probiotic product we discussed.
To see more about Elizabeth’s day-to-day, follow her on Instagram!
To learn more about my mental wellness side hustle, watch this video!
Oct 17, 2019 | Podcast
A misunderstanding has the power to ruin your day. They’re one of the primary drivers of stress, drama and unhappiness (not just at home, but in all walks of life). In theory, overcoming all this is easy, as it involves YOU listening to the other person…
In reality this is hard, and requires a lot of practice and intentionality!
In today’s episode I discuss how to do this, sharing four techniques you can use to minimize the misunderstandings you have with other people (and yourself). If you find yourself wondering how an argument snowballed and began in the first place… this episode is for you.
I’ve written an article that accompanies this, so please read, listen (or both) to ensure you don’t have to suffer with the negative drain misunderstandings have (and on those you care about the most).
IN TODAY’S SHOW YOU WILL LEARN:
- How to get your own questions answered in a future episode of the Primal Potential podcast
- The dangers of misunderstandings, and the impact they have not just between you and other people, but you and your own internal struggles
- About a recent misunderstanding I had with a contractor, and how it inspired this episode
- The 4 approaches to minimize misunderstandings, and how to turn the situation from a negative into a positive (full of lessons and growth)
- How minimizing misunderstandings doesn’t only create less stress, but improves the quality of your relationships (and life as a whole)
- How to manage internal misunderstandings, and the four aspects that often cloud your judgment (that can lead you to miss out on transformational opportunities)
- The questions you need to ask yourself in the moment to halt these four destructive patterns
- How to train yourself to do all this, and how you don’t have to wait for your next disagreement to put these steps into practice.
TODAY’S RESOURCES:
[smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/primalpotential/669_managing_misunderstanding.mp3″ background=”#00ccbb” social_email=”true” ]
He tilted his head to one side and sighed… “all I ever hear from you is that this project is never going fast enough,” he said.
My first reaction to this? Woah!
I stood there, frustrated. I could feel it as my fingers bunched together tighter in my palms.
- I have never said that, I thought.
- Who does this guy think he is?
- He’s wrong, and I can’t let him think he’s right about this…
I’ll be honest, had this conversation took place a few years ago, those thoughts wouldn’t have remained inside my head. But I’ve learned a lot about myself in recent years, and one of the most important is how to better manage misunderstandings.
Which this clearly was.
How This Misunderstanding Began in The First Place…
To give you some context, this conversation took place between me, my contractor and foreman. As you may know, we’re having our home renovated. A lot goes into this, and there are a lot of moving pieces.
My role is to project manage these, and I recently noticed some changes I hadn’t signed off.
Changes the engineer hadn’t approved, nor the town…
So, I sent a text asking my contractor the reasons why, and also asking to be informed before any future changes are made. As I sent this text, I felt totally within my right and didn’t imagine anything further.
“I think we need to meet in person,” he replied.
The next morning we did, which is when the conversation above took place.
The 4 Techniques to Minimize Misunderstanding
I hadn’t said anything about the project being behind, or that I was unhappy.
However, I clearly must have inferred this at some point for my contractor to feel this way.
I thought one thing…
He had thought another…
And both are valid. What we deem true is often subjective, as we only know what goes on in our own head. We get half of the story, which is where misunderstandings begin.
You don’t need me to tell you how destructive these can be.
I imagine you’ve had arguments with your partner (or someone at work), only to step back later and wonder: how did everything spiral out of control like that?
The reason is nobody took control of the situation and tried to gain understanding from the misunderstanding. Without this, misunderstandings lead to truly negative situations. Yet with this, a misunderstanding is a wonderful opportunity to gain greater insight.
Which I’m happy to say happened this time, between my contractor and I.
This is why…
1: Make it a Priority to Understand Where The Other Person is Coming From
You know how you feel. You know what you meant when you said that thing or sent that email…
However, you have no idea what the other person feels.
Make it a priority to figure this out. Take focus away from you, and place it on to them. Ideally, both parties do this, but so long as one does, a misunderstanding is quickly understood.
You can’t rely on the other person doing it, so take control of the moment and listen to them.
After I took a few breaths, I asked my contractor questions.
- What did I do or say that made you feel this way?
- Is there a situation that took place that made you feel I was unhappy?
I quickly learned that he inferred certain things into what I said and actions I took. Did I feel this way, and did I mean for it to come across like that? No. It doesn’t matter. He felt this way. It was true for him.
Learn what’s true for the other person, and you’ll quickly diffuse the situation.
2: Choose a Perspective of Getting it Right Instead of Being Right
In situations like these you often make it worse by focussing on being right, rather than finding the right solution.
Old me would have focussed on this. I’d have hit back straight away in a bid to prove myself right (and therefore, prove him wrong). There’s an important question to ask here, though…
Why? Why is being right important to me?
It isn’t. A boost to your ego, sure… but being right is a lonely place. It doesn’t deliver a solution, and it doesn’t help you (nor the other person) grow. Often, it leads to resentment and further misunderstanding.
So instead of being right, focus all your attention into getting it right.
Once I listened to my contractor, I drew a line in the sand so we could focus on the right solution moving forward. Not only did it alleviate any conflict, but it helped us save a lot of time and money.
3: Own Where YOU Could Have Done Things Differently
The misunderstanding doesn’t end when you walk away from the conversation.
Unless you learn, you’ll likely end up back in the same place further down the line.
Oftentimes this is because you continue to focus on what the other person did wrong.
You’re mad at them.
You’re frustrated.
You want them to own their part of it.
You DO NOT get to control any of this.
You do, on the other hand, get to control you.
- What could you have done differently?
- What can you do better in the future?
- How could you have minimized the misunderstanding in the first place?
I walked away from my contractor wondering how I could better manage this project. I realized I could communicate better and be more clear when I do. It’s not only minimized that particular misunderstanding, but it’s made our working relationship much better since.
4: Practice Becoming an Expert in Your Ability to Differentiate Between What Actually Happened and How You Feel About What Happened
You don’t have to wait for your next misunderstanding to practice this one.
- The next time you read an email and read something into it, stop yourself…
- The next time your partner comes home and seems a little off, stop yourself…
- The next time you make an assumption toward someone or something, stop yourself…
What do you know? What is factual, and what is a story you made up in your head?
Do you know what the other person means or feels, or are you simply reading into it?
Facts and feelings are different.
Yet we often allow our feelings to rule what we do and how we think. We give everything meaning, and build stories around each piece of life. A lot of the time, these stories are not true.
They breed misunderstanding, and you can actively choose to stop this each and every day.
How To Manage Internal Misunderstandings
These four techniques help you minimize and manage misunderstandings with other people, but often the most damaging misunderstandings are the ones that happen within.
- The beliefs we form…
- The stories we create…
- The excuses we make…
Learning how to manage your internal misunderstandings not only minimizes the ones you have with other people, but it sets you free and releases so much overwhelm and uncertainty.
I talk about how to manage your internal misunderstandings in the podcast episode that accompanies this article. If you’ve taken value from what you’ve read, I encourage you to listen to it in full.
Not only does it provide greater context into the misunderstanding with my contractor, but dives deep into those internal misunderstandings we have with ourselves (the most damaging of all).
It’s these internal misunderstandings that hold us back the most, but the actual impact they have may surprise you. Listen to the latest episode of the Primal Potential podcast in full to find out how…
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Thanks for reading. I encourage you to listen to the episode of the Primal Potential podcast that accompanies this in full, as it walks you through how to manage your internal misunderstandings.
I cannot overestimate how powerful learning this is. Once I did, it changed how I not only communicate with others, but how I figure out the right decisions to make each and every day.
It’s fascinating how it works, and I’m excited to explore it with you in today’s latest episode ⇒
Thanks again for listening and reading. If you have any questions about misunderstandings (either with other people, or those you have with yourself), add them in the comments below.
And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and connect with me on social media.
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Oct 14, 2019 | Podcast
Do you ever feel like you’re on the ‘Hard Road’, and that maybe life is harder than it should be? Each time you make changes, it’s so hard to progress (even just a little). It always feels like an uphill battle, and often as though life is out to get you…
What if I told you there was another way, and that YOU get to choose to take the Hard Road or the easier one. Because the reality is, it is your choice. You get to choose, and you always have had this choice.
In today’s episode I talk about the 9 Hallmarks of the Hard Road, and the alternatives you can choose to take to enjoy the easier one: the road where you do progress, you do win and you do grow.
I’ve written an article that accompanies this, which overviews these 9 Hallmarks of the Hard Road. Whether you choose to read or listen (or both), I hope it inspires you to take control of the path you take.
IN TODAY’S SHOW YOU WILL LEARN:
- Why taking the Hard Road is always a choice, even when it doesn’t feel like you have any control over it
- How this is one of the most common issues I come across with my clients (and how I too struggled with it for years)
- What the 9 Hallmarks of the Hard Road are (and how each one holds you back and prevents you from fulfilling your true self)
- The 8 Hallmarks of the Easier Road (and how you can choose each one of these whenever you like)
- How these choices are never a one-time deal, but rather you need to commit to choosing them again-and-again (often, on a daily basis)
- The damage comparing yourself to others has on you, your mindset and the path you choose to take
- Why mindset is always more important than skillset (always!)
- How everything discussed in today’s episode is a practice, but it’s one inside your control at all times
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TODAY’S RESOURCES:
Do you ever reach the end of the day, lay in bed and wonder if all “this” is worth it?
… like you’re sprinting on the beach, the sand slipping under your feet.
… as though you’re going uphill, no matter what you seem to do.
… that everything is that much harder than it needs to be.
It feels out of your control. Life has you on the Hard Road, and nothing you seem to do makes a difference. It’s tough. You want to make changes in your life, but each time you do you get nowhere fast.
At least, not without A LOT of effort!
Maybe it’s to do with your diet or health…
Maybe it surrounds time management or work…
Maybe you’re trying to focus on your relationships…
Whatever it is, making changes in your life seems much harder than it should be. It runs you down, and maybe like I used to, you lay in bed at night exhausted; you sometimes even want to quit.
You’re on the hard road.
Some people are on the easy road.
But YOU are not one of them!
Yeah, I’ve been there. I speak to people all the time who are also on the hard road. They tell me how painful it is, and that most of it’s out of their control. I nod along because I understand.
I used to feel like this…
The problem is, this isn’t true. Life on the hard road is a choice. If you find yourself on it, it’s because you chose it. That may sound unfair, but it’s true. In this article I’ll explain why, introducing you to the 9 Hallmarks of The Hard Road.
Each one’s a choice. You can choose NOT to do each one of these.
Once you do, you’ll step off the hard road and onto a much easier one.
(note: I’ve written this article on the back of my most recent episode for the Primal Potential podcast. For greater context, examples and personal stories, I encourage you to listen to this episode in full)
1: Valuing Novelty and Intensity Over Consistency
I see this in my clients all the time. I used to struggle with this one too, especially around food, diets and weight loss. There’s always a new trend or shiny object to follow. Each one promises you success, so you drop everything and dive into this new, guaranteed method / program / technique / whatever…
The new thing is always the more attractive thing.
Especially true when this new thing promises you overnight success. The problem is, each time you choose novelty or intensity over consistency, you place yourself on the hard road.
Success almost always comes down to turning up day-after-day. Commiting to consistency is all you need, so the longer you bounce from one idea to another, the longer you’ll stay on the hard road.
2: Putting Off Until Later What You Don’t Feel Like Prioritizing Today
We’re all guilty of procrastination. You know what you need to do, but you don’t feel like it so you put it off until later. As though you’ll feel like doing it this evening, tomorrow or next week.
Come on. You know what happens when you do this… you just reach tomorrow and go through it again.
It’s short term gain that produces long term pain. The longer you put off what you need to do now, the longer you’re stay on the hard road is. Sure, it may be easier to put it off until later.
But it keeps you stuck where you are right now.
Stop putting it off. Do what you have to. Get it done… NOW!
3: Focusing on Your Skillset More Than Your Mindset
I recently spoke with a client who was stuck. She couldn’t decide whether she should join a new fasting course she wanted to take. She knew investing into it meant she couldn’t invest into other areas of her life.
She also told me how she had been struggling to show up and consistently make the right decisions. She knew what she needed to do, but kept coming up with excuses and putting things off.
So I said to her: “it sounds like you have a mindset issue, not a skillset one. I’m not sure learning more about fasting will help you achieve your goals.”
In an instant, she knew what she had been doing and knew what she had to do next. Oftentimes, the biggest barrier preventing you from making progress is within you.
Learning more about a skill does nothing but distract you from the root cause.
You want to learn more, instead of DOING something about it.
4: Investing Energy into The Problem Instead of Acting on The Solution
This used to get me all the time. When something bad happened, I’d focus all my energy on the problem.
- Who was to blame.
- What the mistake was, and who made it.
- What it would cost, both time and money.
- How bad it was, and how it would set me back.
You become a victim, and reserve all your energy for playing it. Why? What’s the point?
Surely it’s better to draw a line on the problem and focus all your time, energy and effort into the solution.
You can’t change the past, but you do get to choose what happens next…
5: Making Yourself a Victim of Factors Outside Your Control
Speaking of making yourself a victim…
So often this is a choice. Something outside of our control happens, and we play the victim.
- Someone else says something or does something to us.
- Some random situation happens, and it impacts us.
- Something happens and it releases anger, fear or some other emotion…
If you can’t control it, don’t focus your energy on it.
Let go of it. Don’t be its victim.
All you do is make life harder for yourself and stay on the hard road for longer.
Control what you can, and let go of the rest.
6: Making Decisions Based on Emotions Instead of on Principle
This is a big one. We’re all human, and we cannot control our emotions (at least, not in the moment). If something happens and you feel mad, sad or bad, you feel it.
But what happens next is on you.
Don’t base your decisions on these emotions. An area where this affects many people is eating… when stressed or upset, you turn to the cookie jar.
You don’t want the cookie. You know the cookie won’t help.
But the cookie is what you want right now, because you let your emotions make your decisions.
This keeps you on the hard road.
You need to make decisions based on clear principles (more on how do this soon).
7: Trying To Do Everything Right Instead of Focusing on Doing The Right Thing
Ever feel so overwhelmed by all the things you want to do that you end up doing nothing?
Yeah, me too!
A big tipping point for me was realizing I don’t have to do everything, and that it doesn’t have to be perfect. So instead of trying to do everything right, focus on doing the right thing.
- What can you do right now that will get you closer to your goal?
- What small step can you take in the right direction?
- Which task will create the biggest impact?
Focus on doing the right thing, instead of overwhelming yourself by trying to do all things right.
8: Talking Yourself into an Excuse Instead of Talking Yourself into Progress
I come across this with my clients all the time.
You want to make a change, but in the beginning it’s so huge and overwhelming that you make one excuse after another why now isn’t the right time.
Instead of building yourself up, you put yourself down.
It’s crazy, but we have all done it. We want to see huge progress, but we know it will take time and that worries us. So we put it off and create a few excuses, and take the scenic route on the hard road.
Do something today, however small. Progress a little each day. One step after another.
In time, you get to where you need to get to.
9: Focusing on The Journeys and Opinions of Others Ahead of Your Own
This is a big problem these days. We’re connected to so many people at all times, it’s hard to cut through the noise. You see people live a life you want to live. They have the body you desire, or the lifestyle or just seem happier and more relaxed.
You compare your journey to theirs.
Sometimes you may even try and copy them.
The problem here is:
-
- You don’t get the full story (only an edited version of their life)
- You are YOU!
Your journey is yours to own. Being true to you and your journey is all that matters.
The 8 Hallmarks of The Easy Road
All this is a choice. It may not seem it at times, but these 9 Hallmarks of The Hard Road are a choice. You can choose to make them and take the hard road, or make your life easier…
- Choose To Value Consistency More Than Intensity and Novelty
- Win The Moment You Are In (Leave Yesterday and Tomorrow to One Side)
- Commit To Improving Your Mindset Every Day
- Invest Your Energy Into Solutions Instead of Validating The Problem
- Practice Principle Based Responses Instead of Emotionally Infused Reactions
- Focus on Doing The Right Thing Instead of Doing All Things Right
- Keep Your Eyes on Your Own Work
- Cease Every Opportunity to Break Away From past Patterns
These are the alternatives to the hard road.
I talk about all of these in the episode that accompanies this article. I encourage you to listen to it in full, not only to gain greater insights into the Hard Road (and why so many of us spend longer on it than we need to), but to learn how to choose the easy road instead.
The 8 Hallmarks of The Easy Road are easier to achieve than you may think.
Listen to the episode in full so can show you how!
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Thanks for reading. To gain greater insight into the 9 Hallmarks of The Hard Road and how you can choose the easy road instead, please listen to the latest episode of the Primal Potential podcast in full.
I cover everything in greater detail, as well as share lots of stories and examples.
Plus, I’ve only touched upon the 8 Hallmarks of The Easy Road here. To truly embrace them, I believe you need to listen to how I describe each one. They’re easier to attain than you may think, and if there’s one thing I hope you leave with today, it’s the ability to choose the easy road for yourself.
I know how hard the hard road is. My hope is that you’ll choose to step off of it today 🙂
Thanks again for listening and reading. If you have any questions about the hard road, add them in the comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and connect with me on social media.
TODAY’S RESOURCES:
Oct 12, 2019 | Podcast
How can you transform a relationship for the sake of accountability? That’s what one listener is asking on today’s Q&A!
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We absolutely love listener questions and today we’re tackling a bunch of them! If you have questions for the Saturday show, you can submit them here!
- I’ve really been enjoying bulletproof coffee. However, the last couple of days it seems to be upsetting my stomach. Any idea why?
- I understand the value of like-minded people but those closest to me are my partner and my best friend. How can I transform these relationships to help hold me accountable?
- What is the starting point for someone completely hopeless and paralyzed on his/her health goals and still refuses to seek help?
- I just recently got dumped by my back up guy. I know that sounds harsh – long story, even longer drama which I will spare you. My question is after two months I still think about him all the time and I read his letter that he wrote. Yesterday your YouTube question about rereading the old chapter hit me in the face. I want to move on so badly. Am I failing because he still pops into my head?
- How do I stop beating myself up for failures and start celebrating small wins?
Today’s episode is brought to you by Four Sigmatic. You can check out my favorite picks AND get additional savings by shopping through this link.