The Power of Vision

Great accomplishments begin with great clarity. Vision is the spark that lights the path to our goals, giving us direction and focus. Without it, we risk wandering through our days without a sense of purpose or fulfillment. When I launched this blog early in 2023, it wasn’t just about creating content—it was about connecting with you, my readers, and sharing tools to inspire both personal and professional growth. That vision of helping others achieve their goals kept me motivated even when balancing a full-time job with my entrepreneurial ambitions felt overwhelming. What drives me is knowing that every post, every interaction with you, contributes to a larger vision of empowerment and growth for you my readers. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, but taking time to clarify your vision can help guide you when the road gets tough. A vision gives you purpose, even when the path is unclear.

Tips for creating your vision:

1. Write it down: Spend time journaling about your dreams for 2025. What do you want to achieve? What will be the most fulfilling for you? This act of writing solidifies your commitment to the future.
2. Visualize daily: Create a vision board or use digital tools to keep your goals visible. Visualizing your success every day reminds you why your vision is worth pursuing. For me, creating visual reminders has been a powerful tool to keep my focus sharp.
3. Align with values: Your vision should reflect your core values. For example, my business is rooted in helping women prioritize their growth. When your goals align with what matters most to you, it’s easier to stay committed.

When you anchor your goals in a clear vision, it’s like having a North Star guiding you through each decision and challenge.

Preparing for Change

If there’s one constant in life, it’s change. And as uncomfortable as it can sometimes feel, embracing change is essential for growth. Whether it’s new career opportunities or unexpected setbacks, change is the gateway to transformation. Looking at 2024, I’ve been humbled by some of the opportunities that came my way—like the chance to facilitate training at the National FOC Convening in Mesa and learn from an incredible network of leaders in the field. I also had the unexpected thrill of riding in a driverless car, which seemed like a metaphor for how we can learn to embrace the future, even when it feels unfamiliar. This experience taught me that adaptability isn’t just about responding to external circumstances—it’s also about cultivating an openness to new possibilities. Reflecting on my own journey, I realized that change often comes disguised as discomfort. In the moments when I felt uncertain—whether about my business, my goals, or my own abilities—were often the moments when the most growth happened.

Strategies to build resilience and embrace change:

• Set micro-goals: Instead of tackling massive changes all at once, break them into smaller, manageable steps. Small wins build momentum and confidence.
• Reflect and adjust: Regularly check in on your progress. Ask yourself: What’s working? What isn’t? In 2024, I had to adjust my approach to podcasting and focus on the areas where I could give my best effort. Don’t be afraid to pivot.
• Practice gratitude: Focusing on what you have instead of what you lack can shift your mindset. When challenges arise, embrace them as opportunities for growth and learning.

By preparing for change and staying flexible, we allow ourselves to grow in unexpected ways, even when the road ahead isn’t perfectly clear.

Taking Intentional Action

A vision is only as powerful as the action it inspires. The most successful goals are those that are rooted in intentional action—where each step we take aligns with our values and aspirations. For me, intentional action often means breaking down my big ideas into manageable tasks. Whether it’s launching a new product or hosting workshops, I’ve learned that progress isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment—it’s about taking that first imperfect step and building momentum from there.

In my own journey, I’ve found that tools like my Monthly Planning Journal have been essential for staying organized and focused on my long-term goals. When I first launched the Momentum Mastermind Set—a business tool bundle to help people prioritize their goals and track their success—it was a leap of faith, but the planning I put into it made the leap easier to manage.

Tools to support intentional action:

• Plan with purpose: Use journals or planners to map out your monthly objectives and track progress. I’ve used my own tools to break down larger projects into weekly and daily action steps.
• Set accountability measures: In 2024, I leaned heavily on peers and mentors to keep me grounded and focused on my entrepreneurial growth. Having a trusted support network has been crucial.
• Celebrate small wins: Progress, no matter how small, deserves recognition. This mindset has been crucial in maintaining momentum, even during setbacks.

Action, no matter how small, creates momentum. When you commit to showing up consistently, you’ll be amazed at the progress you can make.

Embracing Community and Support

No journey is meant to be traveled alone. One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in 2024 is the importance of community and the power of shared growth and support. Over the past year, I’ve experienced firsthand the power of connections—whether it’s reconnecting with my classmates at my high school reunion, meeting colleagues at the LISC Midwest Office Retreat, or attending the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference. These connections have given me new perspectives, support, and inspiration, making my journey feel less isolated and much more collaborative.

Ways to foster connections in 2025:

• Attend events: Join workshops or conferences that align with your interests. For example, my participation in the Voices of Color Summit has been both a humbling and energizing experience.
• Seek mentorship: Learning from those further along the path can fast-track your growth. Mentors have been invaluable in helping me refine my goals.
• Be a resource: Building community starts with offering your own support and expertise. By serving others, you create a foundation of mutual respect and collaboration.

Community fuels growth, offering strength and perspective when we need it most. It’s about knowing that you don’t have to do everything on your own.

Conclusion: A Bold Call to Action

2025 is a blank canvas, brimming with possibility. The way you choose to fill it is entirely up to you. Let this be the year you dream bigger, embrace change with courage, and take intentional steps toward your vision. The future isn’t something to wait for—it’s something to create.

As this is my final post of the year, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for being part of this journey with me. 2024 has been a year of growth, and I’m excited to see what 2025 holds for all of us. I’ll be back with my first post of the year in mid-January, where we’ll dive into new strategies and insights to start the year strong.

So, I’ll leave you with this: What is one bold action you will take to prepare for 2025? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s hold each other accountable for making 2025 our best year yet.

In today’s blog post, we’ll embark on a step-by-step journey to break free from the shackles of procrastination and reignite your inner drive. No more making excuses, no more self-sabotage – just practical, proven techniques to get you back on track.

You Can’t Change What You Won’t Acknowledge

You see, most of us procrastinators are experts at hiding our behavior and making excuses when it’s called out. We’re like magicians, distracting ourselves with all sorts of activities to avoid the tasks we know we should be doing. But the truth is, procrastination is an avoidant behavior – it’s triggered by the emotions we associate with certain responsibilities, whether it’s fear, overwhelm, or just good old-fashioned aversion.

Even when people do admit to procrastinating, they don’t always get to the root of why they do it. Is it a deep-seated fear of failure? A lack of confidence in your abilities? Perhaps a stubborn streak that makes you resist anything you don’t enjoy? Whatever the reason, simply raising the white flag isn’t enough to help you stop and become more proactive. That’s why the first essential step towards breaking free from the procrastination cycle is getting real with yourself. It’s about shining a spotlight on the underlying issues that drive your avoidant behavior, so you can start addressing them head-on.

Now, I know this can be an uncomfortable process. Reflecting on our shortcomings and blind spots isn’t exactly fun. But I promise you, it’s the only way to make lasting change. Whether it’s through journaling, enlisting the help of a trusted friend, or even working with a coach or counselor, getting to the root of your procrastination is crucial. Because here’s the thing – you can’t change what you won’t acknowledge. But when you do shine that light, when you start to uncover the real reasons behind your avoidant habits, that’s when the transformation can begin. It’s not easy, but I can tell you from experience, it’s so worth it.

So, my fellow procrastination-fighters, let’s dive in. Let’s get real, get vulnerable, and start uncovering the truth about why we do what we do. Because the path to progress begins with self-awareness. Are you ready to take that first step?

Procrastination to Progress: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

Now let’s tackle one of the trickiest parts of this whole “getting stuff done” thing – shifting from procrastinator to proactive powerhouse. I know it can feel like you’re walking down a road you’ve never been on before, the scenery completely unfamiliar. Without a map, it’s easy to just start guessing your way forward. But I’m here to tell you, with the right mindset and a few strategic flips of the switch, you can absolutely make this transition. Because the truth is, being proactive isn’t about superhuman powers or having it all figured out. It’s all about how you view the world, and the choices you make day-to-day.

One of the biggest hurdles I see for my clients is that FOMO (fear of missing out) mentality. They see every new opportunity as something they can’t pass up, regardless of how it might distract them from their priorities. Sound familiar? Well, it’s time to flip that switch, my friends. Start analyzing how adding something new to your plate might derail the progress you’ve already made. Is this new activity or commitment really worth sidetracking yourself? Learn to say no, or at least postpone, until it truly aligns with your schedule and goals. Trust me, your future self will thank you.

And then there’s that whole “obligation” trap. When we say yes to things out of duty rather than true desire, it can create this nasty cognitive conflict that just makes us want to procrastinate even more. The solution? Flip the switch from obligation to priority. Get crystal clear on what’s most important to you. What are the non-negotiables, the things you’ll give your all to? Once you know your priorities, it becomes a whole lot easier to set healthy boundaries and skip the activities that don’t serve you.

You see, it all comes down to a shift in mindset. Proactive people don’t fear saying no – they know it’s the key to avoiding burnout and over-commitment. They have a strong sense of self, and they’re not afraid to honor their needs, even if it means disappointing others from time to time. My Flourishing Fiercely Friends, I know this transition isn’t easy. Undoing years of procrastination habits and people-pleasing isn’t something that happens overnight. But I promise you, with the right strategies and a willingness to flip those switches, you can become the focused, productive, and proactive rockstar you’re destined to be.

So, are you ready to stop guessing your way forward and take the wheel? Let’s do this thing!

Small Steps to Proactive Mindset

To get you started, here are three simple changes you can make today that will help cultivate a more proactive mindset:

• Eat that frog first thing. This classic productivity tip comes from a Mark Twain quote about getting your biggest, toughest task done very first thing in the morning, while your energy is high. That way, you’ve already achieved something meaningful before the day gets away from you. Knocking out your personal “frog” early sets the tone for a proactive, purposeful day.
• Make a plan for tomorrow today. Failing to plan really is planning to fail, isn’t it? Taking just 5-10 minutes in the evening to map out your priorities for the next day puts you in the proactive driver’s seat. Break bigger goals down into specific steps, and you’ll wake up knowing exactly what you need to accomplish.
• Solve one nagging problem. We all have those little issues or obstacles that keep tripping us up and preventing forward momentum. Get proactive by picking one and making some headway on a solution, even if it’s a small step. Actively chipping away at problems puts you in a problem-solving mindset.

These are just starting points, but being proactive is a lifestyle. It’s about taking ownership over your days, weeks, and goals through conscious choice and action. Be patient with yourself as you build this muscle!

I’ll leave you with a personal story that really resonated with me recently. At a professional development summit, there was a session called “Worthiness Within Your Wardrobe” that got me thinking more intentionally about my personal style. Now, reflecting on fashion and self-expression through clothing is pretty new territory for this typically low-maintenance gal! But the session went so much deeper than just outfits, nudging us to explore our confidence, purpose and self-love. It challenged me to get proactive about cultivating the life – and personal presence – I want to put out into the world. So I’m a work in progress, just like you! But I’m committed to getting proactive, one purposeful choice at a time. Let’s do this together, shall we?

Forging Your Unique Path to Productivity

The truth is, while there are some universal principles around procrastination and proactivity, we all need to find our own individualized solutions. What works amazingly for your coworker or family member might completely miss the mark for you. And that’s okay! The key is getting curious about yourself and seeking out the specific strategies and mindsets that click. When you finally land on an approach that feels custom-fit to your struggles and motivations, it’s a total game-changer. Suddenly, all those principles you’ve read about start making sense and you can put them into action. But how do you get to that light bulb moment?

Here are three tips that have helped me zero in on what works:

• Get specific with your searches. Instead of just looking for “how to stop procrastinating,” tailor your keywords to your particular struggles. Searches like “break the cycle of procrastinating on budgeting” or “stop putting off meal-prepping” can surface way more relevant, game-changing advice.
• Find your tribe. Thanks to the internet, you can connect with people working through the exact same challenges as you. Having that community support and pooling unique tips/strategies can be amazingly motivating.
• Date before you marry. Just because a friend swears by time-blocking doesn’t mean it’ll be “the one” for you. Have an open mind and try different approaches until you find YOUR productivity soulmate. It’s okay to move on from tactics that aren’t a fit.

The biggest mindset shift for me was realizing that overcoming procrastination and building a proactive lifestyle is a very personal journey. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. But when you get radically self-aware and committed to experimenting, you WILL find the strategies and perspectives that finally click into place for you. That self-discovery is genuinely a game-changer!

Onward to a Proactive Mindset

We’ve explored how to break free from procrastination and cultivate a proactive mindset through self-awareness, actionable strategies, and finding your unique path. The journey requires patience, but the payoff is immense – feeling in control of your time, goals and priorities. In the next blog post, we’ll dive into building the core pillars to make your proactive transformation stick: discipline and confidence. Strengthening these two elements through practical strategies will be the one-two punch to leave procrastination behind for good.

See you next Thursday!

The good news? You don’t have to figure it all out alone. By tapping into proven strategies for community cultivation and surrounding yourself with other visionary leaders, you can lay the foundations for an unstoppable tribe that will change the trajectory of your life and your legacy forever. So, get ready, because this is your official invitation to step into the transformative power of community building. It’s time to ditch the struggle of going it alone and start amplifying your impact through the magic of collaboration, connection, and co-creation. Your tribe is waiting – all you have to do is take that first courageous step.

But first, a quick poll: how many of you have ever found yourselves feeling isolated, stuck in your own head, or held back by those pesky self-limiting beliefs? (Go ahead, raise those virtual hands high!) It’s a struggle we’ve all faced at one point or another, my friends. The good news? You don’t have to go it alone. Enter: the power of community.

The Power of Community

Now, when I say “community,” I’m not just talking about a casual group of acquaintances or a smattering of social media followers. No, no, no – I’m referring to those rare, beautiful ecosystems of people who genuinely see you, support you, and propel you toward your highest potential. These are the communities that become your fiercest cheerleaders, your most trusted advisors, and your infinite well of inspiration. They’re the ones who remind you of your worth when you’re feeling small, who push you to take calculated risks, and who celebrate your wins with the same enthusiasm they’d show for their own.

And here’s the kicker: building and nurturing these communities isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s an absolute game-changer for anyone looking to cultivate sustainable growth, both personally and professionally. Think about it: as an entrepreneur or creative, having a strong support system can be the difference between giving up at the first roadblock or pushing through to manifest your wildest dreams. It’s the secret sauce that helps you stay motivated, accountable, and focused on your “why” even when the going gets tough.

But community building isn’t just for the entrepreneurial set, my friends. Whether you’re navigating a career transition, embarking on a personal transformation journey, or simply seeking to deepen your connections with kindred spirits, the power of community is undeniable. And that’s where leadership comes into play.

Become a Visionary Leader

You see, truly impactful communities don’t just happen by chance – they’re carefully cultivated and nurtured by visionary leaders who understand the value of shared knowledge, authentic connection, and collective growth. These leaders aren’t just figureheads or talking heads; they’re facilitators, catalysts, and champions of their communities. They create safe spaces for vulnerability and open dialogue, foster an environment of mutual respect and trust, and consistently show up as their authentic selves.

But perhaps most importantly, these leaders embody the principles of personal growth and continuous learning. They’re the first to admit that they don’t have all the answers, but they’re endlessly committed to evolving, adapting, and sharing their hard-won wisdom with their communities. It’s this beautiful cycle of giving and receiving, of collective problem-solving and co-creation, that truly sets transformative communities apart. So, how can you tap into this magical world of community building, personal growth, and effective leadership? Well, my friends, I’m so glad you asked!

First, let me introduce you to a game-changing resource: The Entrepreneurs’ Toolkit for Success. This comprehensive guide is like having a group of seasoned mentors by your side, walking you through the ins and outs of building a thriving entrepreneurial community and support network. From cultivating meaningful connections to leveraging the power of accountability, this toolkit has got you covered. But that’s not all! For those of you feeling held back by those pesky self-limiting beliefs (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), the Your Own Worst Enemy Bundle is an absolute must-have. This powerful collection of resources is designed to help you identify and overcome the internal roadblocks that have been holding you back from reaching your full potential. Through a potent combination of mindset shifts, practical exercises, and inspiring real-life examples, this bundle will equip you with the tools to cultivate unwavering self-belief, resilience, and a growth mindset that knows no bounds.

As you can see, the power of community is truly a force to be reckoned with. By surrounding yourself with a tribe of visionary leaders and kindred spirits, you unlock a wellspring of support, inspiration, and collective growth that can catapult you toward your biggest dreams.

While we are talking about ‘power of community’, I recently had the honor of being featured on the ‘Trailblazin’ Bosses Podcast’ with host Veranda Adkins. In this episode, Veranda and I dive deep into my experience as a community development leader, bestselling author, and certified coach. With over two decades of expertise in team leadership and community support, I share my techniques for empowering individuals and organizations to reach new heights. Go check it out and tell me what you think!

If you’re ready to stop going it alone and start amplifying your impact through the magic of collaboration and connection, I encourage you to check out the resources I’ve shared. From the Entrepreneurs’ Toolkit for Success to the Your Own Worst Enemy Bundle, these powerful tools will equip you with everything you need to build your tribe and cultivate unstoppable growth.  So, what are you waiting for? Take that first courageous step and watch as your community transforms your life and legacy forever. The tribe is waiting!

Let’s quickly recap the themes we explored over the past few weeks. We delved into the transformative power of gratitude and self-care, uncovering how these twin practices can cultivate resilience, joy, and a deep appreciation for life’s beauty. We also examined proven goal-setting strategies, equipping ourselves with the tools to dream big and chart a course towards our aspirations. Finally, we celebrated the power of community-building, recognizing the profound impact of surrounding ourselves with a supportive network of like-minded individuals.

And remember, next month is National Recommitment Month, so let’s carry the momentum of these powerful lessons forward. As we prepare to recommit to our goals, values, and overall well-being, we’ll draw inspiration from the wisdom we’ve gained, using gratitude, self-care, goal-setting, and community as the foundational pillars for a life lived with intention and purpose. Share your takeaways from this month’s series in the comments below. 

Let’s start by examining resilience – that powerful ability to adapt positively to challenges and bounce back from difficulties. Early in my entrepreneurial journey, I really struggled with resilience when faced with rejection or failures. I would get mired in self-doubt and harsh self-criticism rather than objectively assessing what went wrong so I could adjust my approach. It was incredibly demoralizing and made me hesitant to take calculated risks that could advance my business’s growth.

For years, I grappled with a harsh inner critic that diminished my resilience during setbacks in my personal development efforts. Any time I’d deviate from a goal like sticking to an exercise routine or intentional spending plan, I would berate myself mercilessly until feeling too discouraged to keep trying. It was a vicious, self-sabotaging cycle. Building resilience meant developing self-compassion – realizing that lapses are inevitable and don’t negate all the hard work. By reframing slip-ups as opportunities to get back on track rather than failures, I cultivated the resilience to persist through ebbs and flows on my journey.

Over time, I learned to reframe those perceived stumbles not as signs of my ineptitude but as inevitable learning experiences on the path to mastering any new skill or venture. Developing this mindset of treating setbacks as insight opportunities rather than indictments of my self-worth was transformative. It gave me the perspective and resilience to boldly keep evolving my strategies based on those lessons learned.

For you, building resilience could involve adjusting your self-talk when you encounter a challenge, leaning on your support network for encouragement during rough patches, or regularly celebrating progress milestones as “resilience wins.” Journaling about failures to extract key lessons can also help maintain an objective outlook. The key is adopting practices that reinforce viewing obstacles as surmountable stepping stones rather than roadblocks.

Let’s now turn our attention to creativity – that boundless wellspring of ingenuity that allows us to approach challenges with novel solutions. Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to differentiate your business, a professional aiming to bring fresh ideas to your organization, a parent needing creative approaches to modern family dynamics, or simply someone striving for personal growth, consistently nurturing your creativity is vital. However, finding inspiration can often feel daunting amidst the daily hustle of life and work routines.

One creativity-boosting practice that intrigues me is the concept of “creative cross-training” – regularly exposing yourself to new subjects, hobbies, art forms or other novel stimuli outside your typical work routines. From what I’ve heard, this can be an excellent way to keep your mind nimble and primed for innovative thinking. For example, taking an improvisational comedy class could provide fresh perspectives on ideation and spontaneity. Or going on an architecture tour to appreciate different creative design principles. Immersing yourself in these varied perspectives and thought patterns can get your creative juices flowing in new ways, leading to breakthrough ideas you may then be able to apply to your entrepreneurial challenges. I’m really excited about experimenting with “creative cross-training” as a way to nurture my creativity and shake up any staleness in my routines this year.

Another creativity-boosting practice is to embrace “creative inconsistency.” Our brains can get lulled into restrictive patterns when we operate in the same environments and routines day after day. Shaking things up, even in small ways like changing your workspace layout, listening to different music genres, or daydreaming in new physical locations all help jar your mind into innovative thinking modalities. Tapping into your creative energy requires disrupting the patterns and environments that can lead to mental staleness. For professionals, this could mean rotating the meetings you attend or temporarily relocating your workspace to expose you to different perspectives. As a parent, injecting more artistic pursuits, imaginative play, or visits to creative spaces can recharge your mind’s innovative capacities. No matter your circumstances, introducing new sights, sounds, ideas, and experiences into your regular rhythms helps unlock creative insights.

For you, unleashing more creativity could involve simple practices like allocating “daydreaming” sessions to let your mind wander freely, immersing yourself in creative environments like art museums, taking a different route to familiar destinations, or even just people-watching to observe persona new perspectives. The goal is to shake up your routines in ways that jostle your brain into seeing things from refreshing new vantage points. Embrace the mindset that creative inconsistency is vital for dodging routines that confine your thinking to restrictive patterns and ruts. An open, curious stance towards continually refreshing your mind’s perspectives is what allows creativity to become a renewable resource.

As we transition into April and I reflect on my first year of blogging, I’m reminded that both resilience and creativity have been instrumental to my own mindset evolution over these past 12 months. There have been plenty of growth opportunities in the form of setbacks, rejections, and creative droughts. Yet, each was a catalyst for developing greater resilience by adjusting my perspective, which helped rekindle my creative spark when I needed fresh inspiration. It has been an exhilarating journey of personal development that I’m immensely grateful for.

This mindset work is never complete – it’s an ongoing practice of continually expanding our perspectives while bolstering the resilience, courage and innovative thinking needed to embrace life’s inevitable challenges as catalysts for achieving our loftiest visions. As Mindset March comes to a close, I hope you feel reinvigorated to tackle any obstacle through the lens of personal growth.

Celebrate the resilience and creative thinking you’ve already embodied, then look ahead with excitement for the new depths of those mindsets yet to be unearthed on your path of perpetual evolution. Next month, I’ll be sharing highlights and milestones from my first year of blogging – a testament to the power of perseverance and curiosity. Until then, keep flexing those resilience and creativity muscles for limitless growth!

As we have passed the halfway point of Mindset March, I hope you’ve been able to implement some strategies for cultivating a growth-oriented perspective – one that embraces challenges, learns from setbacks, quiets the inner critic, and propels you confidently toward your aspirations. If you’re just joining us now, don’t worry – there’s still time to adopt a mindset reset that can recharge you with unshakable drive for the rest of 2024.

This week, we’re focusing on two formidable inner foes that derail even the most driven individuals: procrastination and self-doubt. Procrastination is likely a familiar nemesis – that sly voice convincing you to postpone tasks under the guise of “I’ll get to it later.” Yet, as we know, “later” is often an elusive mirage where opportunities fade and stress compounds.

I vividly remember a time when procrastination completely derailed the launch of a new product for my business. I had spent months developing this offering, conducting market research, and planning out all the details. However, when it came time to actually build the sales page, film the promotional videos, and get everything ready, I found myself constantly putting it off for one reason or another. “I’ll just tweak the messaging one more time” or “I need to research a few more competitor products before finalizing my unique selling points.” These delays and excuses snowballed until the proposed launch date came and went with no product released. By the time I finally forced myself to take action, the momentum was lost, and I missed out on a prime sales window. Needless to say, I learned a hard lesson about the subtle impact procrastination can have.

Under the surface, procrastination stems from a web of fear, perfectionism, and misunderstanding our own energetic patterns. To unravel its grasp, we must first recognize these underlying drivers. Rarely is procrastination rooted in laziness alone. More often, it’s a coping mechanism masking anxieties about failure, criticism, feeling overwhelmed, or not living up to our full potential.

Powerful tactics for outmaneuvering procrastination include breaking formidable tasks into bite-sized steps and establishing clear deadlines. Massive projects can subconsciously trigger avoidance by appearing insurmountable. However, deconstructing that ambition into manageable micro-goals provides a series of motivating wins. Firm deadlines, meanwhile, create a productive urgency and prioritize what demands our focus.  

For me, a huge procrastination trigger is being overwhelmed from seemingly massive tasks or initiatives. To combat this, I rely heavily on breaking down projects into discrete action steps and developing detailed project plans. By deconstructing any undertaking into a sequence of micro-tasks, the cognitive load feels much more manageable. I can fully focus on checking off one step at a time rather than becoming paralyzed by the enormity of the entire scope. Ticking off those small completion milestones provides a motivating trajectory as well.

As we call out procrastination’s undermining whispers, our growth journey inevitably brings us face-to-face with self-doubt. Whether navigating a career leap, creative venture, or simply pushing into new terrain, that incessant inner critic can leave us questioning our competence and worth.

There was a period early in my management career where I really struggled with self-doubt about being a capable leader. Anytime we hit obstacles or my team experienced failures, I was beset by profound feelings of being an inept, unqualified impostor who was putting on a shoddy performance in my role. This caused me to become overly deferential and hesitant about making decisions for fear of the consequences revealing my perceived shortcomings. The self-doubt made me micromanage tasks and avoid taking calculated risks that could advance our growth. Stuck in this mindset, I realized I was the one setting limitations on our team’s progress and impact. Re-framing my perspective on failures as learning opportunities was crucial for pulling myself out of that self-doubt spiral. I had to develop more self-awareness about when those insecure thoughts started creeping in so I could separate them from reality. With vulnerability and open conversations, my team found ways to productively push through setbacks rather than having me withdraw. It was a transformative experience in truly internalizing that self-doubt rarely represents truth – progress requires normalizing perceived missteps while keeping accountability for constant improvement.

Self-doubt often takes the form of a harsh inner voice warning about potential failure or embarrassment – that perpetual fear of being an “imposter” who doesn’t truly deserve their achievements. These sentiments frequently trace back to attributing success to luck rather than hard-earned skills honed over years of dedication. For many, self-doubt becomes a reflexive retreat into shame or harsh self-judgment anytime we approach the untested frontiers of growth.

However, these instinctive patterns of self-criticism fail to account for the immense effort, creativity and personal evolution required to reach our current levels of wisdom and accomplishment. One powerful practice for reframing self-doubt is making a detailed inventory of achievements, lessons learned, and capabilities cultivated along your journey so far. Periodically updating and reviewing this anthology serves as an antidote to our memory’s tendency to minimize progress.

Building a network of supportive peers, mentors and coaches can further reframe self-doubt as natural growing pains rather than signs of unworthiness. These perspectives from those further along remind us that bouts of insecurity arise for even the most confident high-achievers.

A big mindset shift for me has been consciously separating my self-worth and value as a person from any individual achievement or failure in my work/career. Any time my inner critic tries to latch onto a setback or shortcoming as evidence of my unworthiness, I have to pause and remember – my intrinsic worth is not conditional on external results. Yes, I hold myself to reasonably high standards in my profession, but I am so much more than just my latest win or loss. Practicing this perspective helps me extend myself compassion, understanding that in any endeavor, some failures or missteps are inevitable on the path of growth. Judging my entire self based on those is irrational and unfair. My self-worth persists regardless.

This week, choose one procrastination-fighting technique and one self-belief-bolstering ritual to incorporate daily. Notice how prioritizing consistent action and nurturing self-trust impact your productivity, outlook and willingness to embrace new challenges. Remember, overcoming these self-sabotaging patterns is an ever-evolving practice. However, each step you take to silence your inner critic and boldly show up unlocks new realms of fulfillment and impact.

Whether striving to launch a business, amplify your creativity or ascend within your professional field, procrastination and self-doubt are universal stumbling blocks. Yet rather than allowing these forces to obstruct your potential, you can transform them into catalysts for developing resilience, trust in your capabilities, and a voracious commitment to iterating your way toward growth. Stay dedicated to consistent effort and nurturing self-assurance – that’s how the transformative magic of this life path unfolds. 

I know this battle with perfectionism far too intimately from my own experiences. I let this mindset keep me from launching my business by thinking that I need to have everything in place and just perfect before I even opened my mouth to start talking about my business or the services that I wanted to provide.  Striving for excellence seems admirable, but perfectionism often hampers innovation and paralyzes action. The latter is what it always does for me, perfectionism sometimes keeps me from moving forward.   It stems from a fear of failure, criticism, or not measuring up, leading many to avoid risks, new ventures, or any endeavor where perfection feels unattainable. This fixed mindset stifles creativity, slows growth, and ironically, prevents the very perfection we strive for. The solution? Understand and embrace the power of “good enough.”

In our social media-saturated world, it’s far too easy to fall into the trap of comparisonitis – measuring our unique journey against the seemingly perfect highlight reels of others. This inevitably breeds feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, and discouragement. However, every path is different, filled with its own challenges and victories. A mantra that I constantly remind myself, “My journey is my journey”.

The key is acknowledging your journey’s uniqueness and setting personal milestones instead of comparing yourself to others. Define what success looks like for you, whether that’s a revenue goal, a number of lives impacted, achieving work-life harmony, or something else entirely. Celebrate progress toward those benchmarks, allowing yourself to feel accomplishment without obsessing over lofty final outcomes.

Shifting from a perfectionist to a progress-oriented mindset requires some adjustments:

• View mistakes as opportunities, not failures. Every successful entrepreneur, athlete, artist – anyone reaching big goals – has grappled with setbacks. Resilience and the ability to learn from those experiences sets them apart.
• Set realistic, flexible goals focused on incremental progress rather than perfect final results. Celebrate small wins along the way, as those are the steps forming a staircase to greater achievements.
• Embrace vulnerability. Sharing your challenges and lessons learned can deepen connections with your audience and foster a culture of openness, growth, and continuous improvement.
• Practice self-compassion. You are your greatest asset, so treat yourself with kindness and understanding. Allow space to experiment, fail, grow, and evolve without harsh judgment.

This growth-oriented mindset creates room for taking imperfect action, which is precisely what I encourage you to do for the rest of this month. Reflect on where perfectionism has kept you stuck, identify one endeavor you’ve postponed due to intimidating standards, and take an imperfect step forward. Progress, not perfection, unlocks potential.

In our goal-driven lives, it’s easy to overlook milestones while hyper focusing on the future. Yet celebrating progress – no matter how small – is crucial for maintaining the positive, growth-oriented mindset that facilitates success. Recognizing achievements, even tiny ones, provides a sense of accomplishment that boosts motivation and reinforces resilience. It encourages you to pause, reflect, and integrate key learnings. For entrepreneurs with teams, publicly celebrating milestones strengthens morale, unity, and a shared sense of purpose.

Overall, celebrating progress affirms that your goals are indeed attainable through dedication and persistence. It sets the foundation for future growth by allowing you to feel the tangible results of your efforts. So, make it a practice to celebrate each step of your imperfect journey:

• Set regular check-ins (daily, weekly, monthly) to review progress
• Share achievements with your team, community, supporters
• Keep a success journal to document growth over time
• Build in rewards for hitting milestones

Incorporating intentional celebration maintains the mindset and habits needed to continuously evolve.

Your path is wholly unique, filled with unpredictable twists, turns, and awakenings. So define what success looks like for you, unhindered by comparisons. Have self-compassion when you stumble, knowing that falling is just part of the journey. Most importantly, celebrate every imperfect step along the way, allowing the magic of taking action – however imperfect – to unfold. Perfectionism and self-doubt may have kept you stuck before, but no more. This month is about shedding those self-imposed limitations in favor of a mindset oriented around lifelong growth. It’s about embracing missteps and stumbles as integral to the dance of your becoming. It’s about letting yourself be delightfully, unapologetically imperfect while continuously taking steps to become more fully yourself.

So, emerge from March with a recharged spirit embracing the worthiness of progress over perfection. Your dreams & goals are attainable, but only if you extend yourself compassion, commit to incremental yet consistent action, and celebrate each beautifully imperfect step along the way. That’s how you’ll experience the transformative magic this one life has to offer.

Use Meditation to Create Awareness

There are many ways to interpret and define the concept of awareness. For our purposes, let’s look at this term as it relates to self-development and growth. Awareness refers to the unbiased power of observation, without self-influenced thoughts or perceptions getting in the way. As humans, we are inherently biased to view the world through our own lens. We make meaning of the world around us through our own filters, and sometimes those filters are heavily clouded by false notions, low self-worth or misunderstanding. To be aware is to grasp the meaning of an event, circumstance or experience through a clearer lens, absent of as much bias as is possible. It is to see things as they are. In order to reach this capability, you need to be present in the moment and to block out distractions such as your inner negative self-talk. One of the most effective methods for gaining unadulterated awareness is to employ a practice of meditation. You’ll discover how you can use meditation to create awareness by reading the benefits it brings listed below.

• Brings the Present to Focus. In order to become more aware and to notice things in the present as they truly are, things that others might miss, you need to cultivate mindfulness. Mindfulness is the art of experiencing the present moment, or the here and now. With so many worries and obligations, most of us are thinking of a million things throughout our day. When we have such distractions clouding our thoughts, it’s impossible to be fully aware. Our senses become dulled, and we miss what is occurring in the moment. Meditation helps to clear the mind and train your brain to eliminate the clutter.
• Clears the Clutter. Meditation comes in various forms. It truly doesn’t matter which type you utilize, as long as you engage in some form on a regular basis. It takes practice to learn to filter out the useless noise of your mind and learn to focus on the present. An easy way to begin is to simply sit in a quiet space with your eyes closed and take deep breaths in and out. Focus on just your breathing. If a stray thought enters your mind, it’s okay to take note of it. Then push it aside to return to your breathing. This will require practice, but soon you’ll find yourself easily ignoring the clutter in your brain and focusing on your breath or other chosen object.
• Gain Control. So many of us allow our thoughts and impulses to control us. We react to every emotion and are thrown into a state of chaos with the slightest bit of upheaval. You may recognize yourself in these statements. If so, know that meditation can help you to gain control over your thoughts, fears and emotions. With this control comes greater awareness without bias. Your mind and its contents are your tools. You are in charge of how you use them. As you practice meditation, you will note this transformation occurs gradually. It is an incredibly empowering realization to know you are in control.

Meditation can take many forms and variations.  Some folks combine physical movement with a meditation and mindfulness practice–for example, doing yoga or tai chi.  Meditation can intertwine with prayer if you have a spiritual practice, or it can be completely secular.  However you choose to personalize your practice, meditation can increase and enhance your awareness. Becoming more aware of your world as it truly is, rather than viewing it through a clouded lens, is essential to any successful self-growth path.

Get in the Habit of Giving Yourself a Pep Talk

Because the way we think has such an effect on our feelings and behaviors, it would make sense to place a great deal of emphasis on improving those thoughts. Learning to recognize negative self-talk and transform those messages into more positive, realistic statements can be daunting. However, it’s definitely an activity worth pursuing for its returns on the investment. Another extremely powerful method for overriding the toxicity of intrusive thoughts is to use regular affirmations to remind yourself of what’s good and wonderful about you. When you get in the habit of giving yourself a pep talk every day, you’ll soon start to believe the words you are saying and internalize them as truth. The magnificent transformation this small change in behavior can bring is astounding. Check out some of the benefits of self-affirmations, how they work and how these positive recitations can change your life. 

• About Positive Affirmations. Affirmations are positive statements that are used to enhance and help solidify beliefs. They can be written down or recited verbally. What’s important about these sentences is that they are concise and personally meaningful. The goal in utilizing these short statements as tools is to affirm them to ourselves or to practice repeating them until we believe them. Repeated exposure to a message can be quite influential. Consider the impact the negative messages you repeatedly feed yourself has had on your psyche. Those toxic effects can be combated through exposure to positive messages. The use of simple affirmations such as, “I am worthy of love,” or “I am capable in my work,” can be used to help you impact a number of areas in your life. Use positive affirmations or pep talks to overcome habits that you’re trying to change, move forward in your career or become more confident, along with countless other purposes.
• How They Work. Learning anything well enough that it comes entrenched in your mind or habitual involves repetition. That is the premise behind affirmations. It is the repeating of these upbeat and affirming phrases that helps you to internalize them. Essentially, repetition of anything will reprogram your brain’s circuits in order to change the new into the familiar. By stating your daily mantras over and over again, you are hardwiring your brain to accept them as truth. Hence, you believe them and then you start to live them. Just as your old self-sabotaging thoughts held you back, these new energizing ones can propel you forward in a myriad of ways.
• How to Use Them. First, brainstorm the areas in which you feel you could use the most positivity in order to break free of self-limiting beliefs. Make a list. Then choose two or three areas that are most important to you and write down a handful of phrases in each category. Keep the ones that most resonate with you and use them as your daily affirmations. Keep this list handy so you can pull it out whenever you need a quick pep talk, but also choose a time each day to sit with your words and recite them. You can do this silently to yourself or read them out loud for more effect. Many people embark on this practice first thing in the morning, as they find it’s a great way to start the day on a high note. Some prefer other times that are more in sync with their lifestyle. The choice is yours.

Getting in the habit of giving yourself a pep talk by reciting your affirmations is one of the most empowering acts you can do when it comes to growing as a person. Be sure to stick with the habit for at least 30 days and be consistent. You’ll gradually begin to notice a transformation in your thoughts and behaviors like you never could have expected.

One of my favorite things about meditation and affirmations is that you can do them anywhere. Sure, a getaway like a retreat or a beautiful setting like a beach can help set the mood for cultivating a positive mindset–I have great memories of how powerful it was to participate in group affirmations at the Black Woman Leading LIVE summit last spring, or how peaceful it was to dial in to my thoughts while on the beach one evening listening to the waves during that same retreat trip–but I find it just as easy and beneficial to practice meditation and affirmations in the “everyday” environment of my own home. I hope this January series has given you some inspiration and ideas to get started on cultivating your positive mindset and setting your self-growth goals for the year. Stay tuned for next week’s post as we move to a new theme for February!

Surround Yourself With Other Positive Minds

Reaching for new goals takes a lot of dedication. You need to keep your desired end result in view if you want to stay motivated. When striving to develop a positive mindset, you can do this by choosing the people you allow into your circle carefully. By intentionally cultivating a circle of others who are similarly committed to a positive mindset, you can help reinforce some of your thinking and habits. Surround yourself with other positive minds, and you’re bound to become more positive yourself.

Now, before I dive into this point a bit more, I do want to acknowledge that, realistically, everyone can’t always maintain a positive attitude 100% of the time. We all hit rough patches now and then–some that last longer than others–and being there to listen and support a friend or family member going through a tough time is an important part of maintaining authentic relationships. In other words, I’m definitely not advocating that anyone ditch friends or family for not maintaining relentless, constant positivity.  (It’s not realistic for us to expect ourselves to be positive no matter what, either!)

But when reflecting on a positive mindset, I’ve learned over the years that it can help to intentionally examine the folks you surround yourself with and think about where boundaries might be helpful. For example, we all have friends or family that we’ve supported through a tough time. Many of us might also have friends of family that, when we really think about it, we realize that they’re negative, cranky, or critical more often than not–and that over time, in turn, this energy can be emotionally draining on us and derail us from our own self-growth and positivity.  When that happens, sometimes it’s helpful to limit our time spent around those folks and look for more positive people to surround ourselves with. So, what are some of the benefits of connecting with others who have that positive mindset?

• They Motivate You. Making changes in your life requires motivation. What better way to motivate yourself to look on the bright side of things than to hang out with positive thinking people? You’ll observe them in action, picking up clues as to what makes them such outgoing and upbeat folks. You may even discover that you begin modeling similar behavior without even realizing it. People who see the glass as half full are more likely to encourage you when you tell them about your dreams, and nothing is more motivating than genuine support and having cheerleaders in your corner.
• They Lift You Up. Make a concerted effort to spend your time with can-do thinkers, and you won’t want to complain or see the negative side of things nearly as frequently. The reason for this is because positive people don’t allow negativity to impose on their beings. They will likely confront any frequent nay-sayers who come around them or walk away from them to find more like-minded friends. Surrounding yourself with friends and loved ones who have a positive mindset is like an insurance policy for keeping your blue mood and trash talk at bay.
• They Can Teach You. If you find that staying upbeat just doesn’t come naturally to you, it’s definitely a good idea to find some positive friends and colleagues. Who better to learn from than the “experts,” right? Not only can you learn through observation, but your friends probably won’t mind if you ask a question or two now and then. Don’t be afraid to seek advice on ways to maintain gratitude when times get tough or how to let small annoyances go before they turn into big problems. These types of folks are usually willing to help when they can as long as you are respectful of their time and their boundaries.

These are just some of the many reasons you should surround yourself with positive people. Our friends are a reflection of ourselves, so it sure makes sense to choose ones that present an image to aspire to. Besides, positivity can be contagious!

But what are some other ways to find support from others for your self-growth? The people in our lives on a day-to-day basis are important, but what if you’re also looking for some more structured and formal support, a mentor may be just what you need.

The Right Mentors can Skyrocket Your Personal Growth

A mentor is someone who possesses knowledge in a particular area and who wishes to share that information with someone else in order to help that person, or mentee, improve themselves. I have had many mentors who have supported me in my personal growth.  You can have a mentor in a career capacity or simply in your own self development. Having someone to learn from can be a tremendous help in reaching your potential.   

• Get There Faster. While personal development isn’t a race and is best viewed as a lifelong pursuit, it can be truly beneficial to be able to learn from someone else’s journey. The best kinds of mentoring relationships involve guidance from the mentor rather than instructions or commands; you’ll learn more effectively if you aren’t told exactly what to do and how to do it. Life’s lessons must be navigated on one’s own to be fully understood. However, with the help of a trusted guide, you can absorb these lessons in a more meaningful way and use them to your advantage.
• See Your Blind Spots. Noting your own weaknesses is an incredibly tricky thing. Sometimes we’re aware of our flaws, but not willing to acknowledge them due to pride or some other self-serving reason. There are other instances in which we truly are blind to what others may perceive as a negative trait. Your mentor is someone you trust and look up to. Therefore, it is easier for this person to be truthful with you about the things that may be difficult for others to share. A trusted mentor can point you to areas in need of improvement in a way that is sensitive and kind in order to move you along your development.
• Have a Cheerleader. We all could use someone to support and encourage us along our journey, no matter what that path may be. When trying to improve yourself for the better or to reach personal goals, having a cheerleader in your corner can make all the difference. A mentor can provide you with words of wisdom or motivation when you want to give up or when it seems impossible to overcome life’s obstacles. A mentor is different from a friend in that this trusted adviser can provide insight that is directly relevant to your goals and that comes from the perspective of someone who has already walked a similar path.
• Receive Insight. A mentoring relationship can provide you with insight in a number of ways. Hearing your mentor’s stories of their own self growth is often inspiring and can point you in the direction of some valuable resources you may not have otherwise known about. Much of personal development involves reading and discovering new ways of viewing the world and your movement within it. Your mentor may be able to recommend websites, blogs or books that contain relevant information to your particular interests. You can also gain valuable insight just by observing your guide as they conduct themselves in life’s interactions. Having a model to learn from is a benefit in and of itself.

So, if you want to achieve the most from your personal growth pursuits, finding a mentor is a good step to take. Your adviser can be a trusted friend whom you know has been through their own enlightenment or a relative from whom you can learn. The important thing is that you feel comfortable with the person and that they possess adequate life experience to guide you along your way. And if you’re so inclined, I can add a personal plug for looking for opportunities to be a mentor to someone else, yourself! I’ve grown tremendously from learning from my mentors and also from serving as a mentor to others–that saying about mentors learning as much from their mentees as the mentees learn from the mentors really is true!

Next week, we’ll turn inward again, and I’ll be back to share some final thoughts on mindfulness and affirmations that you can use to help you cultivate positive thought and self-growth.  Until then, stay warm out there and have a great rest of your week!

But how do we put this into practice? How do we keep on our path of learning and growth as the year goes on, especially when it’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day of work, family, or other life responsibilities.

Making a commitment to personal development isn’t always easy or doesn’t always come naturally–but it’s definitely a worthwhile investment of your time and resources. Growing as a person doesn’t require a formal education or spending a lot of money on workshops by well-known experts. There are tons of ways to expand your mind and to become a more fulfilled person, the benefits of which are immense.

• Avoid Boredom. Boredom is one of the biggest contributors to the feeling of being stuck in a rut. Being bored is a symptom of a mind that is not fully engaged, and it can lead to complacency. The longer you remain unexcited about the life you’re living, the harder it can become to motivate yourself to look for ways to change. Instead, look for ways to stretch your comfort zone. Make a list of ways to do this. It can include new topics or skills you’d like to learn, types of people you’d be interested to meet, experiences that would delight you or something as simple as a different kind of food you want to try. Your list should include baby steps and large leaps. Start with the small stuff and work your way to bigger things or mix it up as the mood strikes.
• Expand Your Life. By remaining stuck in a rut, you’re limiting yourself. You’re missing out on new experiences, satisfying relationships and career fulfillment. Taking time to learn something about a topic of interest or about yourself expands your life through knowledge and opportunity. Each item you place on the list of steps you take toward self-growth adds a little more to your world. Perhaps it’s a new skill that can open up exciting job prospects or maybe it’s an encounter with a person who may become a trusted friend. It could also be an idea or concept that was previously unknown to you, but which could transform your entire belief system. You never know what wonderful things are out there if you choose to remain where you are. For me, connecting with other solopreneurs this year presents an exciting opportunity to learn from their experiences and explore potential collaborations that could open up new possibilities.
• Increase Creativity. Your creativity can become stagnant, even if you’re a person who likes to create, like an artist, singer, crafter or writer. Sometimes we simply find our creative outlets take a back burner while we are focused on other aspects of life. That’s fine, but it can be incredibly difficult to find your way back to creativity again when it’s been absent for a while. Even if creating has never been at the top of your list, you can benefit from adding a spark of imagination to your life. Setting aside specific time to read books or take classes on some form of artistry can inspire renewed interest in you. Simply deciding to add some new recipes to your usual menu choices can be enough to inspire a change in your outlook.
• Make Priorities. As you begin to explore various topics of personal development, you may start to notice that your priorities shift. Something in your exploration is likely to strike a chord and excite you enough that you want to dedicate more of your time to learning about it. This means you will be forced to step out of your current routine in order to make time for your new interest. This simple action can be the catalyst for additional changes to come.
• Gain Happiness. Through your exposure to novel ideas and information, you are bound to come across experiences, people and, hopefully, passions that may shift your worldview. You may begin to appreciate nonmaterial things more and begin to focus on the joy that comes from such riches.

These are all some good basic principles to guide our thinking, but let’s drill down a bit more into how to apply some of these elements to your self-growth plans more concretely.

Map out Your Self Growth Goals for the Coming Year

It’s amazing how many of us go through life on autopilot. When you don’t know what you specifically want from your life or which direction to go, you are probably just spinning your wheels and remaining stationary. If you want to progress and move forward, making a plan is crucial. A map known as a personal development plan can help you to organize your thoughts, view your strengths, clarify your desires and set goals to achieve them. Putting your thoughts and wishes into a formal plan and writing them out is an amazingly effective way of getting what you want. Use the following strategies to map out your self-growth goals for the coming year and watch your life begin to move on track. (Goal-setting is, of course, always a favorite topic of mine and if you’re looking for a quick refresher on how to help define and stay on track with your self-help goals, you can check out my blog series from last year covering the basics of getting started with goal-setting, maintaining motivation, creating accountability, and sticking with the work toward your goals as the year goes on.)    

• Reasons for a Personal Development Plan. Writing a personal development plan just works. It’s definitely worth a try, even if you’re skeptical. Mapping out your goals and desires for life puts things into perspective. It gives you clarity regarding where you want to go within the next year. Starting with a year at a time is a good way to practice this mapping concept. You can later make a five or ten-year plan. As you’re developing your plan, you will begin to focus on the “why” of your goals. Keeping your motivation regularly in mind will push you further when you think about quitting or settling in life. Your personal development plan provides some structure in an uncertain world. You have a map for approaching each day, and you can mark your progress as you go along.
• About a Personal Development Plan. There are lots of different formats out there when it comes to setting up a personal development plan. Your plan should be unique to your lifestyle, needs and goals. You can include whatever you think is most important to focus on for the upcoming year. The goal is to develop a document that you can refer to for guidance as you traverse through your days. Your plan will serve to keep you on track and give you focus.
• What to Include in Your Plan. You can begin by creating a vision or an overview of what you’d like to achieve. This is more like a general mission statement, rather than one that includes specifics. Next, you’ll hone in on the details by writing down your areas of focus. Which parts of your life are most in need of change or do you want to see the greatest change? Write them down, along with what you hope to gain in each segment. List goals in each section. These are the things you wish to attain by year’s end. You can then lay out a tentative schedule for reaching each goal. This may require modification or tweaking as you go along, and that’s okay. You just need a rough guide to start. Basically, your personal development plan should include what you want to gain, why you want to attain these goals and how you plan to make them a reality. The way you structure your plan is entirely up to you.

Now’s the time you get to be creative. Set up your plan in any form you wish. It can be in a digital document or you can grab a journal or notebook to use. The important thing is that your plan resonates with you and is easily accessible for review and progress monitoring. Have fun with it, and enjoy seeing your dreams unfold.

If you need a little support and inspiration to get started on your goal-setting and personal development plan for 2024, I still have a few spots left in my Chart Your Course workshop in-person for my Chicagoland readers on Sunday, January 21st or coming up on January 25th or January 31st via Zoom. (And if you’re interested, but catching this blog post after those January dates have passed, don’t worry–I’ve got more workshops planned throughout the coming year, so stay tuned here or sign up to be notified by e-mail by downloading my free resource here to join my subscriber list.) In the meantime, I’m wishing you all a healthy, productive, and prosperous–however you define “prosperity,” whether it be financial, emotional, spiritual, or some combination of all those things–year ahead in 2024!

Picking up from last week’s theme, I wanted to share some additional tips for making discipline a habit.  Some of these may be familiar concepts to my regular readers–for example, accountability.  Accountability with a trusted friend, colleague, or family member can help with developing discipline.  Many people think self-discipline means doing it all on your own, but it does not mean that at all. In fact, having a coach, or a group, or an accountability partner can really help you to develop more discipline.  An example would be when someone puts off housework until they know someone is coming over, and they race around to get the house all tidy before their visitor arrives. It is far easier to give in and be less disciplined when you just have yourself in the picture. When you have a person or people hold you accountable, though, you are far more likely to make sure it happens.    

An accountability partner is someone you set up a contract with to hold each other accountable for reaching goals. This is a mutual pact and is probably the easiest to set up. The goals do not have to be the same ones, the point is to connect on a regular basis, often once a week, and share with each other how much you have accomplished.  The best way to do this is to break up the task into daily chunks and do each one each day so that you are not trying to finish up the project the night before you meet with your accountability partner.  (For more on accountability, check out this blog post from April 2023.)

Using Challenges to Develop More Discipline

One way you can develop more discipline is to use challenges. This makes it more like a game and less like a chore. Also there can be the element of friendly competition with others and having others help hold you accountable which improves your odds of success.  Challenges are very popular and you can find them in many places across the internet and social media. Or you can make up your own and share it with a group of people. However, you end up doing it is up to you.

When looking to see if a challenge will be useful to you, there are some factors to look for, so you can best benefit. Is the challenge realistic? You want to stretch yourself, but not to the point where it might be too difficult to succeed. For example you could challenge yourself to cook all your meals at home for the next 30 days in order to save money on take-out or restaurant food, but that might be challenging if, for instance, you have travel planned away from your home during that time, or if you have an especially busy few days with work, kids’ activities, or other family obligations on deck. You also want the challenge to not be too easy. You need to see if you have the time to devote to it. Be sure to include time for learning new things, for example if you challenge yourself to build a new blogging website in 30 days, remember that if you have never done one before, you will have to learn some things and that will be extra time above just writing the blog posts.  (Having launched this blog earlier this year, I am all too aware from personal experience the time it can take to learn new website-building systems! )  

If the challenge is a large one over a longer period of time, are there clear-cut milestones along the way to help you have a sense of accomplishment? If your challenge, for example, is to find a new job or change careers entirely, you may want to build in smaller steps and milestones along the way–such as making a list (written or mental) of what you’re looking for in your new career, writing or revamping your resume, researching job leads, networking informally or through informational interviews with people in the field you have your eye on, and so forth. 

When you do a group challenge, you have some added benefits. There is a sense of camaraderie when working together on a goal that you don’t get when just “competing” with yourself. Other people can give you ideas, too. For example, if you are in a group challenge focused on cooking more or eating out less, the group members can share recipes and support.

Organization Is a Major Tool in Developing Discipline

If you want to develop more self-discipline, it helps to get organized. Organization helps you feel less overwhelmed and makes it easier to get things done. You also can focus easier on your goals if you have a structure to both your day and your work environment.

For example, say you have a goal of writing a book. Lots of people want to write books, but many never end up finishing one–why? Because a monumental goal like that requires discipline and organization, and especially if there isn’t a fixed deadline imposed by someone else, it’s easy for our goals to fall to the back burner as day-to-day obligations get in the way. You cannot successfully write a book if you only write when you feel like it. You also are less likely to get much writing done if you are not organized. If your research for your book consists of pages that you have to search through every time you need something, or worse yet, find the notes buried in a pile of paperwork, you will find you spend more time on finding things instead of actually writing.

Scheduling your day is another way of organizing that will help you develop discipline. This is more than just having a to do list. You need to look at when you get up, when you go to bed, and block out times like work hours that cannot be used for accomplishing your goals. Then you need to take a look at the time left over and figure out how to best use it. One of the ways a lot of people add more time in their day is to get up an hour earlier and devote that time to their goals. Some people go to bed an hour later and use that time. Be realistic about how much time it takes to do the steps needed to accomplish your goal.

Organizing your workspace and your files on your computer are also ways to help you with developing discipline. By making sure you cut down on the time it takes for related tasks to accomplish your goals, you allow more time to actually do the work of the goal itself. To go back to the example of writing a book, if your research is well organized either in your workplace or in well-marked files on your computer, you will spend less time looking stuff up and more time actually writing. This will lead to faster writing as well since you are not interrupting the flow to spend time searching for something.   You will then be far more likely to actually finish writing that book. 

This is another example that really resonates with me from personal experience. In 2022 I was invited to contribute a chapter to The Entrepreneurs’ Toolkit for Success and I got a taste of the organization and discipline that writing required–and that was for a single chapter, not even a whole book!  Some of the tips and techniques that I described above really helped me stay on track, and I definitely plan to use them when I tackle my next writing goal of writing and publishing an entire book someday!  How have discipline and organization helped you get closer to achieving your goals?   

This week and next, I’m focusing on the topic of discipline: how we can develop it and how we can use it to our advantage in our learning and development journey.  Many of us might have an initial gut reaction to the term “discipline” that isn’t the most positive: perhaps we had childhood experiences that cause us to associate discipline with punishment; or even if we think of discipline as being more along the lines of self-discipline, it’s also common to think that self-discipline revolves around rule-following, working, or denying yourself treats or other indulgences. But productive, meaningful discipline shouldn’t be punitive, and it doesn’t have to be a chore. Instead, we can harness the power of discipline for our learning and development.     

Benefits of Self-Discipline

When you develop self-discipline, you have many beneficial results. These include a sense of accomplishment, more self-respect, and a better understanding of what you can do.  Discipline is not always easy, but it is well worth it. When you set goals and work on them every day until you accomplish the goal, you feel proud of yourself. Not only because you accomplished the goal, but because you did not quit. You stuck with your goals and made them happen. Think back to when you had a goal and worked on it every day until it was done. How did you feel?

When you discipline yourself to accomplish a goal, you also increase your self-respect. Think of the people you have the most respect for, and why you respect them. Chances are one of those reasons is that they have self-discipline. They set out to do something and they accomplish it. By doing the same for yourself, you can have more respect for who you are as a person.  You learn more of what you can do. When you set goals and challenge yourself to meet them, you will find out that you can overcome obstacles that you might have thought were too difficult. You learn more about who you are and what you can accomplish when you set your mind to it.

Many times, we put limitations on ourselves that aren’t really accurate.  In the coaching world, we sometimes call this phenomenon “limiting beliefs” and they can pertain to topics large or small, specific or wide-ranging.  “I’m not athletic, I could never run a 5K race (or a half-marathon, marathon, etc)”; “I’m too old (or too young) to do ____”; “I’m not creative enough to be an entrepreneur”; “I’ll never get ahead in life” are all examples of limiting beliefs that can hold us back. These beliefs can be shaped by a whole host of deep-seated factors, sometimes going as far back as our childhood.  Many of us have limiting beliefs that were influenced by the habits, mindset, or circumstances of our parents or our extended community–perhaps without us even being consciously aware of it at the time. Or negative experiences in school or the workplace might have shaken our confidence and caused self-doubt to take root in our minds. Limiting beliefs can be powerful, pervasive, and persistent.  

Think about something you think is not possible. Is it really impossible or are you setting a limitation that is artificial? One way to find out is to set a goal and make it happen. Obviously, some goals won’t happen overnight. Progress might be slow and gradual, depending on your starting point, the magnitude of your goal, and the distance between those start and finish lines. (If you’re really feeling bogged down by your limiting beliefs and need some extra support, a skilled coach can be a great resource for helping you get “unstuck” and chart a new path forward.)

You can use this mindset to practice embracing some of the benefits of discipline. Figure out a goal that you want to do and set up milestones along the way. Then each day do something to make those milestones happen. It doesn’t have to be anything major, just one more small step on the way to your final goal. When you reach that final goal, take stock of how you feel about yourself and what you are capable of doing. (For much more on goal setting, see my April 2023 blog series.)

Discipline in Bite Sized Steps

But what are some ways to begin practicing self-discipline that are manageable, achievable and don’t reinforce those negative perceptions of discipline as being too limiting and deprivation-focused?  One of the ways that people struggle with developing self-discipline, is trying to make too many changes at once–not just by doing more than one goal at a time, but by making those goals way too large. Either of these approaches can lead to us feeling deprived, discouraged, and ultimately demotivated.

An example of too many goals at once might be someone choosing to quit smoking, improve their eating habits, exercise regularly, build a successful business, and get out of debt, all at the same time. All of these goals are common things that many people strive to achieve and that can be beneficial for our longer-term health, wealth, and quality of life.  But if you try to do them all at once, though, you will probably find it to be too much and quit. This is one of the reasons why some of those big, bold New Year’s resolutions that we make every January 1 tend to fizzle out as the year goes on. Instead, focus on one or two of your goals for the first several months, to give yourself time to make new habits, notch some small “wins” to celebrate, and use that momentum to move on to other goals. 

For example, if your most urgent goal is to quit smoking because you’re concerned about the long-term health effects and the day-to-day impact on your budget, you might start by focusing just on that goal. You could spend a couple of months getting rid of the cigarettes and using aids like the nicotine patch to help. Then once you feel that you’ve reached a place of stability and confidence in meeting that goal, you can move on to tackle others.

You may find changing your diet and exercising more to be really overwhelming goals because they are huge ones–and so generic that it can be difficult to pinpoint where to start. So, another tactic to help you with discipline is to break them down into smaller goals. If you look across your food and drink consumption and decide that you want to focus on cutting out soda, for example, maybe you break it down into this week you cut your soda intake in half, then week two you cut it out completely. If you do this week by week making one small change, you may find it easier to stay in control.

Another way you can break it down is by intensity. So, say you want to exercise more, but you have not exercised in years. If you start with something like a full workout, you may give up or get injured and then be unable to exercise at all. So instead of going full tilt, you can start by doing mini workouts at a lower intensity for a few days, and over time add more minutes to your workout until you reach at least 20 to 30 minutes of activity. You can also over time increase the intensity of your workout as you get stronger and in better shape. By breaking down the goals into bite-sized steps, you can make it easier to develop the discipline you need to accomplish them. You will also improve the chances of success in changing your habits.

Self-discipline doesn’t have to be a practice that we dread or fear! When we start to see discipline not as something that’s imposed on us but as a tool that we are in control of, we can use it to further our personal and professional development goals.  Next week, I’ll share more tips about how to practice discipline in a healthy and effective way, and in the meantime, feel free to share any examples of a time when you broke discipline down into some bite-sized steps!     

Putting Self-Care on the Calendar

More times than not everyone has the excuse of not having enough time to do something, especially when it comes to self-care. Everyday life is full of activities including eight or more hours of work, childcare, school, church, community activities and more. Plus, you still need to balance your relationships, too.

It may seem impossible to take care of yourself while taking care of a full family and keeping up with the house, or while running a business, or working a job, but there is a way to solve this through scheduling and calendaring.  Every day, or at the beginning of each week, sit down and find areas that you can fill in your calendar with some self-care activities. If you can put those things in your calendar first right after your required work schedule, you’ll become even more successful at meeting your self-care goals.  Try to schedule these as early in the day as possible. Schedule everything even if it feels silly. This can include phone calls with your family and friends, a bath, or even a short nap. Once you have it scheduled, stick to it and make it just as important as the rest of your tasks.  You probably wouldn’t overlook something on your calendar if it pertained to work or your family responsibilities, so why do that to yourself?

Remember: you are just as important as anything else in your life. Your overall health affects everything that happens in your daily life, so if you think about self-care as essential to your health, well-being, and ability to be present in your life, self-care is just as important as work and your family.  Make sure you schedule in enough time for each activity so you can fully enjoy it. Don’t rush these activities or you will quickly turn something that’s supposed to release stress, stressful. If you only have a certain amount of time choose your self-care interests wisely. If you only have 10 minutes to spare, only do something that takes 10 minutes and stick to it.

Self-Care Doesn’t Have to Cost Anything

Lots of people get the wrong idea about self-care. They think they have to be deserving of it. They feel like it’s splurging to do something good for yourself.  It can seem extravagant–especially when we often see the concept of “self-care” associated in pop culture or on social media with activities like shopping, vacations, or spa days–but let’s change that mindset! Self-care is something you deserve, no matter what your budget. Everyone does. It benefits us all, along with those around us, when we put our own well-being at the forefront. You can’t take care of others when your own well-being is suffering. Let’s take a look at some free and low-cost ways you can care for yourself:

• Take a Time Out: Sometimes just a little bit of alone time is all you need to feel rejuvenated. So why not give yourself a time out? Lock yourself in your room with a nice cup of tea. Listen to some quiet music. Just sit still and think for a bit. It’s a luxury we all can afford.  In my facilitation and coaching practice, I’m in my element when I’m in front of a room of people leading an inspiring or informative training, for example, or when I’m sitting one-on-one with a coaching client helping them feel excited or proud about setting and achieving their goals. But it’s that quiet reflection time alone with just myself and my thoughts that gives me what I need to recharge for my busy days at my job and running my business.
• Waste Some Time: We often feel pressured to be productive all the time. Being busy is a sign of worth and accomplishment. However, it really doesn’t have to be that way. Just kicking back and doing nothing is important to recharging our batteries. Let yourself have some down time to do something frivolous like binge on your favorite Netflix show, take a nap or just sit and pet your dog or cat, if you have one.
• Do Some Writing: Even if you don’t consider yourself a writer, journaling can be a very therapeutic activity. Jotting down what you’re grateful for has been proven to be beneficial to well-being. It can also be energizing to simply do a brain dump in which you write down all the things that are floating around in your head. Jotting down dreams for the future might inspire and motivate you to take action.
• Reach Out to Someone: Socializing is a crucial part of self-care. Even introverts benefit from interpersonal connection.  (I tend to be introverted, but I still feel energized and renewed when I catch up with friends or family.)  Humans aren’t meant to be isolated. Pick up the phone and call or video chat a friend you haven’t talked with in a while.  Meeting up in person for a walk together or a cup of coffee is even better. Connecting to others might just provide the spark you’ve been missing.
• Change Your Perspective: A change of scenery can be a wonderful source of renewal, and it doesn’t have to cost a lot. Just heading out to walk in your neighborhood might help when you’re feeling stir-crazy in your home. If you’re able to afford it, a low-cost getaway to a nearby location for a day or two is a fun way to switch things up–or try staying fully local and being a “tourist” in your own city or town for a day.  You’ll be surprised what this change of perspective can do for you. 

Don’t Feel Guilty for Practicing Self-Care

We’ve touched on the fact that it’s common to feel guilty for taking time for ourselves. There are a lot of complex reasons for this within our society, and within our individual experiences. Some of us who feel pressure to be “productive” might worry that self-care is time-wasting; others may have been raised in a culture or a family whose values prioritized putting others first (which can be a good and thoughtful thing in some circumstances, but not necessarily at the expense of your needs.) 

• It’s Not Selfish: First and foremost, it’s important to understand that taking time to care for yourself is not selfish in any way. It may be hard to get past the mindset that the needs of others are more important than your own, but overcoming this mindset is essential to allowing yourself to adequately meet your own needs. Care isn’t a zero-sum concept. When you care for yourself, it doesn’t have to mean you don’t care about others.
• It Sets a Good Example: If you’re a parent, investing in self-care is not only good for you, it sets a good example for your kids. Even if you don’t have children, taking the time to care for yourself might be inspiring or motivational for those around you. In order for a stigma to end, it has to be normalized. When more of us let the world around us know why self-care matters, they may begin to change their minds about the concept, as well. I remember when my children were younger and I was earlier in my career, I definitely struggled with carving out both time and money for self-care.  My own self-care took a backseat to their needs and well-being and when I was on a tight budget, I’d feel guilty if I spent money on things for myself instead of for the kids.  But as my kids have gotten older, I’ve tried to make self-care a bigger priority and also model self-care for them so that they know it’s important and hopefully don’t feel some of the same hesitation and guilt that I did.  
• It Demands Respect: It also sets a precedent for how you expect others to treat you. When you demonstrate that you value yourself and that you find worth investing time in yourself, they will respond in kind. Learning to say no and set boundaries is good for your relationships. It teaches others how you expect to be treated and makes it clear that you see yourself as a priority. There’s no reason to feel guilty for that.

Self-care doesn’t always feel easy or come naturally for many of us. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you find it difficult to carve out time or release those lingering feelings of guilt.  It’s like anything else–sometimes it takes practice to become a habit, hopefully some of the tips and support above help you carve out time for self-care no matter your schedule, other obligations, or budget.