685: Motivation without Obsession? Listener Q&A

Staying motivated without getting obsessed with it? Is that even possible? Is obession bad? Can it be helpful? We have the answer for you in today’s Q&A episode!

Here’s the list of questions we’re answering today:

  • Staying motivated without getting obsessed —how do you do it?
  • You’ve mentioned on the podcast that you have quit drinking coffee during your pregnancy, and I wondered if you could share a bit about what led you to that decision.  I just learned that I’m pregnant with my second child, and while I did not give up coffee entirely during my first pregnancy, I think it might be beneficial this time around. I do love my morning coffee and would love some evidence to motivate me on those mornings when a cup of coffee is tempting.  Morning sickness hasn’t hit me yet, so I’m sure will also affect my coffee consumption. Also, did you quit cold turkey when you learned you were pregnant or did you gradually taper off?
  • How soon can we find out if we have made it into the 12 Weeks to Transformation?
  • How do I give up drinking regular alcohol when it’s such a big part of mine and my husband’s life and is how we spend our time bonding, as we have three kids and don’t do much else but work and look after the kids.
  • What is the best plan if I miss day(s) journaling?
  • How do I get off of being the victim over my health? I blame everything that is wrong with my weight on believed “malfunctioning body” when it fact is my lack of consistency that has brought me here.

If you have a question or topic for our Saturday Q&A shows, please share it here.

The free challenge mentioned in today’s episode kicks off on November 25th! You can participate by joining the Primal Potential Facebook Group or getting on the 12 Week Transformation Waitlist. We’d love to have you in both!

The registration for the 12 Week to Transformation – Winter starts on December 11th so make sure to stay tuned for that. If you aren’t on the wait list, join now!

684: An Open Letter About the Holidays

The Holidays are an amazing time of year, but can also bring a lot of stress, worry and overwhelm. I struggled with them for a long time. I would over-indulge and commit to too much, and come out the other side exhausted and unhappy. It got to the point where I dreaded the holidays.

In this episode, I explain how I escaped this, as well as the six things I’m focussing on ahead of the holidays that are approaching very soon. I’ve written an article that accompanies this, so whether you read, listen or both… think about how you can make the holidays easier and better for you and your family in the coming weeks.

IN TODAY’S SHOW YOU WILL LEARN:

  1. About the Free 7 Day Challenge I’m running that will help you make the most of the holidays this year.
  2. An important lesson I learned from James Clear about how you need to serve yourself before you can serve others.
  3. How I struggled with the holidays for nearly a decade, and how I dreaded them each year (avoiding them as much as I could).
  4. How your life isn’t black or white, and how a binary approach like this does not serve you or those around you.
  5. The 6 aspects I’m focussing on during the holidays this year to ensure I have a good time while sticking to my goals
  6. How this doesn’t only apply to the holidays, but if you go on vacation, out for a meal or even a weekend away.
  7. Why you should stop using the phrase “Holiday Season”!
  8. The steps you can make TODAY to ensure you reduce stress and overwhelm so you can enjoy the holidays without guilt or worry.

TODAY’S RESOURCES:

Until relatively recently, the holidays have always been a tough time for me.

For starters… the food!
As someone who struggled with her weight, the holidays brought temptation and guilt.

I’d be nervous in the lead up to them. I would set a goal and say “this year I won’t overindulge”, yet once the Halloween candy hit the stores the temptations would begin. Thanksgiving would soon follow with a lot more food. And then Christmas. And New Years. And valentines shortly after that…

I’d give in to my temptations once and more would follow.
After a few weeks of this, it’s hard to think of those goals without feeling the guilt.

And looking in the mirror… well, let’s say I didn’t enjoy doing it.

Yet it wasn’t just the food. As an introvert, the holidays bring a lot of social gatherings. This, combined with all the food and deserts led me to dread this period each year. I’d feel anxious about them. I’d avoid them. For around ten years, this was the case!

I no longer feel this way… I talk about why in the latest episode of the Primal Potential podcast. I encourage you to listen to it in full, as I share my personal story from avoiding the holidays to embracing them.

With the holidays approaching fast, now feels like a good time to share this with you.

A Lesson About Filling Your Cup From James Clear

I recently came across this image from James Clear.

I thought about the holidays approaching as soon as I saw it. How, during this time of year, so many people stop filing their own cup.

  • The lack of sleep due to all the parties and family gatherings.
  • The lack of recovery and time on your own, for the same reasons.
  • An overindulgence of food, and a lack of good food entering your body.
  • Too much drink and not enough exercise.

All the while you travel more at this time of year, still have work and life’s general stresses, and the worry of buying presents, cleaning the house before guests arrive and carving enough time to spend with family and friends.

As the image above shows, you need to put into your cup before you can let anything out.
Yet how often does this faucet stop in the lead up to the holidays?

Is it any wonder this time of year brings so much stress and overwhelm?

Your Life is NOT Black or White

I don’t like to look at life as black or white. It isn’t binary where you have to choose one or the other. You can have both a fun, exciting and enjoyable holiday period without needing to overindulge in food, drink and anything else.

It isn’t either-or.
Yet this is the mindset most people take.

Myself included, for many years.

Binary is the opposite of creativity. With a little thinking and planning, you can enjoy the holidays ahead without having to say no to every dessert and glass of wine. You can have both.

I talk about how in the episode that accompanies this article.
It goes into everything in greater depth, so be sure to listen in full.

But to overview, here are the 6 Aspects I’m focussing on as we enter the holidays…

1: Find The “Bliss Point”

I talk about the “Bliss Point” in episode 537, so you may like to listen to that in full to get a complete picture of what it is. The premise of it is simple enough:

a quantity of consumption where any further increase would make the consumer less satisfied

The bliss point is relevant in all walks of life: in business, with your own health, at home… everything!

It’s certainly present during the holidays. Think about how easy it is to go past this bliss point:

  • Where you spend too much on things you don’t need…
  • When you eat more food than it is enjoyable…
  • How you drink a few too many…
  • Where time with your family becomes too overwhelming and overbearing…

You have control over this, though. You get to choose when to stop. But first, you must appreciate what is too much and too little. Find that bliss spot and commit to staying inside it.

2: Stop Using The Term “Holiday Season”

Once Halloween arrives, we seem to enter the “Holiday Season”.

This is a dangerous term because before long you use it as an excuse:

  • To eat what you like
  • To go out and enjoy yourself too much
  • To drink and socialize
  • To get back to your workout when it’s all over…

It isn’t a season. Each holiday lasts a few days.
So, stop using it as an excuse to fall short of your goals.

This leads us to the next point.

3: Never Skip Twice

It’s Thanksgiving, so you skip your workout and indulge in a lot of food. Fine. Enjoy yourself.

But tomorrow, get back to it.

Don’t let it happen twice. Don’t let eating pizza at lunch be a reason to have ice cream after dinner. If you make a mistake or fall short, accept it and move on. Just commit to getting back to what you need to do tomorrow.

Never skip it twice.
Don’t let it become a habit.

4: Take Full Responsibility

I used to struggle with this, and it’s something I continue to work on each day.

It’s often easy to assign blame elsewhere.

As though the reason you ate seven cookies is that they brought out a plate full of them. Like you had to eat them all. As if you couldn’t have just had one or two!

It’s your choice. What you choose to do and not do is on you. Take full responsibility for it.

Practice taking ownership for all you can.

5: Do NOT Make it All About You!

This is easy to get caught up in during the holidays because you often have more to do.

  • Clean the house, as you have family coming over.
  • So much food to cook and prepare.
  • Presents to buy.
  • Travel to arrange for when you visit home.
  • Work to get finished before you take a few days off…

It’s easy to get caught up in all the things YOU have to do.
To the point where you forget what other people are going through.

Take a step back. Think about what’s going on with them.
Make it less about you, and more about those around you.

6: Plan Plan Plan!

This one helps to overcome making it all about you!

 

Create a plan. Make a start. Each day, make progress.

 

  • Plan the presents you need to buy and purchase one each evening.
  • Clean a section of your house every weekend.
  • Decide what is the right amount of food to eat and what’s too much ahead of time.

Start early and do something every day / few days / each week… this way the stress doesn’t build up until you have to do everything last minute. Have a plan and then stick to it.

I go deeper into all six of these in the episode that accompanies this.
I encourage you to listen to it in full, as I share a lot of my own story.

This began as a letter to myself. Yet I wanted to share it with you because I know the holidays are a struggle for so many. I found it difficult for 10 years, always dreading the holidays as soon as they arrived.

As we move into the holidays this year, these are the 6 aspects I’m focussing on.

I plan to have fun.
I WILL indulge in the food I love.
I’ll have a great time with family.

But I’ll also workout, have time on my own and stick to my goals. I won’t allow myself to enjoy too much short term pleasure if it’s at the expense of the life I desire. You can do the same. It’s a choice.

And it’s one of the things we’ll focus on in the Free 7 Day Challenge we’re running.

There are two ways to get involved.

  1. via the 12 Weeks to Transformation Wait List
  2. join the free Primal Potential Facebook Group

Each day I’ll send you a series of questions or journal prompts designed to make you feel more centered, grateful and fulfilled (and less stressed and overwhelmed).

It’s the perfect remedy to the holiday struggles so many face.

Thanks for reading today. Please listen to the podcast that accompanies this article in full, as I talk more about the holiday struggles I faced and how I overcame them.

The holidays can be a tough time, but they’re also a great opportunity to recharge, reflect and spend time with those you love (let alone enjoy some amazing food). You can both enjoy yourself and stick to the goals you set. It’s possible. It’s within your control!

I invite you to join me on the Free 7 Day Challenge that’s coming up. There are two ways to get involved.

  1. via the 12 Weeks to Transformation Wait List
  2. join the free Primal Potential Facebook Group

Thanks again for listening and reading. If you have any questions please add them in the comments below. And to subscribe to the podcast and connect with me on social media, follow the links below.

GET INVOLVED:

 

Holiday Gift Ideas 2019

I spent some time writing down my holiday gift ideas. Though I started shopping a couple months ago, I still have more people to buy for and I always want to have a few ideas on hand for when people ask me what I want. I’ve never been much of a gift person, in large part because I’m both practical and a minimalist. Fortunately, I have some great ideas that are both practical and minimalist! I thought I’d break it up between gifts I love to give and gifts I’d love to receive.

Holiday Gift Ideas – To Give

I love to gift books! Every year, I keep a list of books I’ve loved. Depending on the person, they’re often a fantastic, easy & affordable gift to give. Here are a couple on the list this year.

The Third Door by Alex Banayan – great for any business owner or for anyone who wants to bring new possibilities into their lives

Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell – perfect for anyone on your list who loves to learn

I also enjoy giving Audible gift cards. I know a lot of people who would love to read more but prefer listening.

Food! A Butcher Box subscription, 1-time delivery or gift card is a serious crowd pleaser. I had to pause my monthly box because we don’t have a kitchen and it’s one of the things I’m most excited about when the renovation is done! Their meat is so high quality and delicious you will never want to buy from the grocery store again! In fact, I haven’t bought meat from the grocery since I started with Butcher Box.

Holiday Gift Ideas – To Receive

I’m always asking for practical things. If you’re like me and always looking to upgrade your cookware, this is a great opportunity ask!

I’m a big fan of Le Creuset, but it is a bit pricey! Put it on your wish list!

I always want more pairs of Klassy Glasses. These are blue-blocking glasses that protect your eyes from the blue-light emitted from your phone, tablet, computer or television. I have a couple pair but they’re so trendy (and effective) that I like to have options! These should totally be on the “give” list, too! I know a ton of people in my life who would be excited to have a pair or two!

I’m obsessed with Away Luggage and can always use another piece or two! I have two of their small toiletry cases and their carry-on size suitcase. They’re perfect. Durable. Good looking. Large capacity. I love all their stuff!

Blank journals! I can’t have too many of them. I’m always writing down ideas & notes. I’ve recently started a journal of thoughts and ideas for my daughter. I like to have several new ones on hand for when I’m ready or to give as a gift. I prefer Moleskine journals.

Alright – it’s your turn to share! What are your holiday gift ideas? What are you giving? What do you love to give? What’s on your list?

*This post includes affiliate links. If you were to purchase some of these items, I could earn a few pennies.

 

675: 5 Keys to Financial Freedom

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:

  1. 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
  2. Why defining what financial freedom means to you is the first step (and how it’s possibly the most important one of all)
  3. How YOU can choose to open the door to financial freedom or keep it closed for the rest of your life
  4. 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)
  5. About the book that changed my life, and how it helped me escape $130,000 of debt
  6. 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
  7. A few tactical steps you can take to monitor your finances and become aware of exactly how much you have at all times
  8. Why the number “5” is so important when it comes to creating true financial freedom

TODAY’S RESOURCES:

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:

  1. Real Estate
  2. Stocks and Bonds (not including my 401K)
  3. My Primary Hustle (Primal Potential, and all the products and services that come under it)
  4. Books/Royalties
  5. 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.

—————————————————————————————————————————————

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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672: How to Make the Next 10 Years Exponentially Better Than the Last

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. How to overcome self-doubt, and how these insecure moments can pave the way for huge growth in the future.
  4. How sometimes your greatest mentor maybe someone closer to you than you can ever imagine.
  5. The sweet spot between being present and dreaming about the future, and why this is so important to your personal growth.
  6. The difference between hard work and heart work, and how learning to do both can drastically change the next 10 years of your life.
  7. How YOU are both the obstacle and the way (and what you can do to take control of this).
  8. The role “expectations” play in your life, and how learning to change them can set you free.

TODAY’S RESOURCES:

“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.

—————————————————————————————————————————————

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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