Whatever You Do, Don't Give Up

New Beginnings

[This newsletter is part of a series that started on August 17, 2024.]

This past week that goal that you’ve placed on hold for over a year popped into your mind, yet again.

A stronger than usual tug pulled at you as if to say, “Just start.” Maybe you even gave it a small try. But then, you pulled back. Something didn’t quite feel right. You felt outside of your skin. So, you stopped.

The size of the goal doesn’t matter, whether it’s waking up at 5AM or embarking on a new career, the process is the same. 

When you start a new goal (or new practice, new routine, etc.) it is not unusual to experience hesitation at some point. That hesitation may rear its head immediately, or it may hide for a while before it jumps out of the shadows when you least expect it. This is especially true if the reason you’ve placed your goal on a shelf is because you harbor some form of fear.

Visualize the scale, again. The life you have versus the life you say you want. Take a moment each day to “see” the life you have now. Use all your senses to visualize it. Hold that vision in your head. 

Now, visualize the life you say you want. Again, use all your senses to create a full mental picture. See it, hear it, smell it, taste it, touch it. Which do you want?

The only way to is through.

This means that you can’t avoid the uncomfortable parts of the life you want. For me, the uncomfortable part involves some physical pain as I reacclimate my body to lifting weights. The process of building new muscle involves tearing the fibers of your muscles so that new, stronger fibers form. 

The journey to a new version of you will be uncomfortable. It may be painful - physically, mentally, or spiritually. You are being stretched, pulled, molded. A new you is forming. It is at this time that your mind will tell you, “This is painful. You don’t want to suffer, right? Maybe you should take a break or wait until you're better prepared.”

That is not wisdom speaking, my friends, that is fear. The fear of discomfort. And this is the cycle many of you find yourselves experiencing. (Cue our mantra: Self-awareness is the first step.)

The only thing you need to do at this moment is not give up.

That uncomfortable feeling is your dream (your goal, your new habit, etc.) trying to express itself. It wants out! Your current self feels threatened and is pushing back. That new thing is upsetting your status quo. It’s okay. This is normal. The bigger the dream (goal, habit, etc.), the bigger the fight. 

How to NOT Give Up

How do you not give up when you’ve got all the “feels” kicking in?

1. Have a strong WHY and write it down. This is directly related to the scale we visualized earlier. Make your WHY visible and consider making it public. Write it on your bathroom mirror. Write it on a piece of paper and post it somewhere you can see it every day. You can even tell family and friends.

2. Accept the discomfort/pain you will experience. Expect it to happen. You may think you are protecting yourself, but you’re actually making it worse. The more you fight the discomfort, the more uncomfortable you’ll feel. Accept it. You’ll survive.

3. Have at least one cheerleader. Find one friend or one family member on whom you can depend to cheer your efforts. On a deserted island without access to other humans? Join FB groups, forums, local meetup groups. (There’s always a way.)

4. DO your dream (goal, habit, etc.) without judging it every day. Action over planning. Put in the effort. You are not trying to be the best, most perfect version. You are experimenting. You are tinkering in your mental workshop. You are trying on a new you. 

So, that’s it, y’all. That’s your homework - don’t give up.

Do You Need Help Tapping Into Your Potential?

Are you struggling to meet your goals and wish you had support? Have you ever considered working with a coach? You may not know what a coach does.

One-on-One Coaching:

• You and I develop an individualized plan targeting your specific goals

• You receive individualized support from me

• Answers to your specific questions

• Guidance on your specific issues and blocks

• Accessibility to me outside coaching sessions for added support (individual texts and emails to check in)

• Your plan leads to learning how your personal growth is in your control

Are you ready to take action but are at a loss on what step to take next? 

I can teach you how to get started and accelerate your growth by using repeatable methods. Need the tools? I’ve got them. The goal is always to make you independent. I should be working myself out of a job. Once you take off, you may want to have a session from time to time, especially if you are scaling your goals. A good coach teaches you how to stand on your own two feet. Contact me today. Are you ready to CONNECT?