3 Steps to Gain Momentum in Your Business

Angel Quintana May 18, 2016

3 STEPS TO GAIN MOMENTUM IN YOUR BUSINESS

Article by Fabiola Giordani
Photo Credit: Victor of Valencia
Magazine: Issue #18

Ever feel unmotivated like you need a break from everything? I know exactly how you feel my friend. Sometimes, you find yourself buried under a pile of work with little to no time to work on what's most important.

That's why I wanted to share with you "Three Ways to Help you Gain Momentum in Your Biz" right now.

1| Create your own self-care space

This is the number one thing you need to do right away to get your mojo back. Find time in your schedule to add self-care time.

Ask yourself: What do I want to do during my ME time? You can meditate, take up yoga, read your favorite book, get a pedicure or even sleep. Whatever you decide just schedule your me time. This is going to keep you inspired and refresh through your day.

2| Organize Organize Organize

One of the main cause of chaos is the lack of organization. I'm guilty myself so I won't pretend to be perfect. I can just share that when I get things organized life is so much easier.

Take 1 hour a week to prepare for the week. Plan out what you need to do in your business and a few action steps on how you will tackle them right away.

A few tools you can use to get yourself organized are Trello, Google Cal or Evernote. Create systems for your business to help you get focused and organized.

A great book that I highly recommend to help you with building systems for your biz is : The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber.

3| Know your Why?

Honestly, the best motivation comes from knowing your why. Why do you want to build your biz? Why are you blogging? For everything you do in life there is a reason. If you need motivation think about your reason. In the words of my favorite speakers Les Brown "Your why will be your rod and your staff that carries you through it all"

There you have it friend! Three ways to gain momentum in your "Three Ways to Help you Gain Momentum in Your Biz".

MORE RAD IDEAS:

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Why Self Confidence is the Most Attractive Quality in Business

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How to Fully Engage with Your Clients for Optimal Healing

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How to Speak Your Truth (on and off camera)

5 Ways Smart Women Lose their Sparkle and Burn Out

Angel Quintana September 26, 2015

5 WAYS SMART WOMEN LOSE THEIR SPARKLE AND BURN OUT

Article by Kiki Federico
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #29

Smart women have a tendency to need to pretend like we have it all “together” all the time. Something about our culture doesn’t allow women to be honest with ourselves, so we push through until we hit a wall and burn out. We can avoid learning by hitting rock bottom if we bring more conscious awareness to our daily activities.

She says “yes” to other people.
Ambitious women are notorious for people pleasing and thinking they need to prove themselves. So we say “yes” and take on too much. Every time you say “yes” to someone else, think about what you are saying “no” to. It’s probably yourself, your workouts, your downtime, your sleep, your creative side project. It’s important for women to establish healthy boundaries and communicate them to their colleagues, friends and family in order for us to have the energy we need to show up and be fully present, not tired and resentful.

She eats in front of a screen.
“I don’t have time for lunch,” is a terrible habit to fall into. Eating while distracted means that you eat faster, less mindfully and don’t actually know how much you end up eating. Perhaps more importantly, you miss the sensual experience of eating which is a big part of feeling alive and connected to life itself. A biproduct of being out of touch with your body is not knowing what it needs, overconsuming and then wishing we were different. So many ambitious women who overeat are craving to feel full to compensate for an emptiness within them. That emptiness can be mistaken for physical hunger, but it’s often a sign that she needs more pleasure, sweetness or meaning in her life.

She doesn’t know how she wants to feel.
This is equivalent to knowing why you wake up everyday. If you don’t know how you want to feel, then you are likely not going to exercise your strengths and move towards doing what you are good at (and brings you joy). Most people set goals that are attractive targets but are outside of themselves. Then fuel these goals with caffeine, sugar and sacrifice. (Sounds awesome!) By asking yourself, “how will that make me feel when I do/have that,” you tune into a fuller experience of life and the ongoing process of getting to where you want to be. You also open yourself up to understand if the goal will truly serve your highest good or you just like the idea of it. The real question is how does it serve you holistically and not just your need to check boxes or get validation from others.

She doesn’t ask for help.
Receiving is an essential part of the human experience, especially for women. Unfortunately, many of us learned that “it’s better to give than to receive.” (Whoever said that was definitely not a lady.) There is so much pressure to keep up appearances that we have it all together. Lots of ambitious women think, “I should be able to figure this out.” What we miss is the opportunity to communicate our vision (even if it’s for how to collate the copies of the presentation) and empower other people to do a good job and be a part of your team.

She criticizes other women.
Gossiping and competing with women is common, and it’s what’s killing our ability to rise to the levels of success we truly desire. Words are very powerful, and when we perpetuate rumors and position ourselves against other women, we are disempowering all women. Women leaders have a duty to go beyond simply “not talking shit” about other women and actively supporting them. When we have a bad breakup, lose a job, are struggling with a terrible boss, have a baby… who do we call on? Our sisters. What if all women were your sisters? We would tap into the inclusive power of the feminine to unify and amplify our power. We would encourage each other to shine.

It’s a Sign is a compilation of self-improvement articles written by entrepreneurs seeking to bring holistic solutions to everyday problems. Read more articles from this feature.

Kiki Federico is a Feminine Leadership Coach and founder of Ritual Uprising. Her mission is to liberate professional women to live and lead authentically, soulfully and in a community of sisterhood. She believes that women have the most critical role to play in shaping our future. But we must come together, celebrate what makes us women and change what's not working for us. Kiki helps women learn how to access their intuition and bring passion to their revolutionary ideas to become embodied, inspiring feminine leaders. Are you an emerging leader, change-maker or socially conscious woman in business? Then be sure to grab your FREE GIFT here on Owning Your Divine Feminine Power at Work {How to be heard without sounding like a bitch.}

Declutter Your Way to Abundance

Angel Quintana September 25, 2015

DECLUTTER YOUR WAY TO ABUNDANCE

Article by Hilory Walk
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #29

Abundance as a Form of Energy

“Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication” ~ Leonardo da Vinci

When we look at the gorgeous photos of homes in design magazines, or more frequently, on our favorite Pinterest boards, our eyes are drawn irresistibly to those beautifully appointed and spacious homes. As with all marketing, the magic lies in what you don’t see!

•   You don’t see clothes and towels strewn about
•   You don’t see dishes in the sink
•   You don’t see overflowing closets and garages which barely have room for our cars.

The primary objective of Feng Shui is to enhance the energies (the qi) within our home or office that support us and to suppress those energies that pose potential harm. Clutter in our physical environments by definition suppresses all qi—it doesn’t discriminate—hence each piece of clutter depletes the presence and flow of positive or abundant qi. And guess what, these energy blocks not only impact you, but they affect everyone living in your home!

An easy analogy is to think about meditation. As meditation removes the debris or clutter of the mind, opening a path to universal wisdom, a parallel can be drawn to removing the clutter of our homes or offices to enable the free flow of sheng qi (positive, life-affirming, abundant energies).

Allow the abundant energies to flow and your home will be the next photo you post on Pinterest!

Clutter Prevents Manifestation!
Removing clutter promotes clarity of thought and lightness of spirit. Just imagine, there are invisible ties between you and each item in your home or office. The more that you collect, the more energy that is consumed by ‘your things’.

If you continue to give all your energy to physical objects, how will you find the energy to devote to your clients, your creative ideas, your execution of projects?

Remember clutter represents the past: either physical reminders of who we once were, what we once did, or even dreams we have outgrown but haven’t discarded. Those half-finished paintings, unread books, clothing that doesn’t fit, 3 year old vision boards all represent old dreams…dreams that are anchored in the past. Clutter blocks you from manifesting today’s ideas and visions. Clutter carries with it a basket of unwelcome guests: lack of focus, lack of clarity, lack of follow-through, lack of motivation.

Think of the fantastic new dreams and passions you will unleash… just by releasing these anchors. And where will this extra energy go? To your dream clients who will be irresistibly attracted to your passion, to executing the exciting projects that now seem effortless to complete, and to allowing and enjoying … abundance!

How To Declutter?
Now that you know the ‘why’, how do you begin the process?

There are best-selling books, courses, innumerable articles on this topic. In fact, it has spawned an entire new industry (rather ironic, don’t you think!). You could take the courses, read the books, listen to the podcasts, but at the end of the day, there are simple and effective rules to follow.

You can choose 1 item a day, or set aside a weekend to dive in, or throw a party, announce your intention on social media, create a goal on an app.

ASK:
•   Do I need it?
•   Do I use it regularly?
•   Do I love it?
•   Does it have a positive meaning to me?

DO:
Unless the answer to each question is ‘yes’, you must either:
•   Donate (there are so many in need)
•   Gift to a friend or loved one
•   Discard what is broken or unusable

Make it fun, make it simple, make it beautiful. It can even be a form of meditation: establish a sacred space to begin, play lovely calming music in the background, even light a candle. With each item that you donate, gift or discard, visualize a golden light taking its place. Watch the light expand and grow with each item released. This golden light is a symbol of the abundance awaiting you.

“Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into.” - Wayne Dyer

It’s a Sign is a compilation of self-improvement articles written by entrepreneurs seeking to bring holistic solutions to everyday problems. Read more articles from this feature.

Hilory Wallk is a classical Chinese Metaphysics specialist, and the owner and founder of Soul Centered Feng Shui. Hilory uses a vast array of classical and holistic tools to create unique and powerful transformations of environment and mindset. As a former corporate attorney, Hilory is passionate about the importance of aligning to one’s soul purpose and she focuses on enabling female entrepreneurs to live a life of optimal harmony and abundance. To find out more about manifesting abundance through Chinese Metaphysics, please email hilory@soulcenteredfengshui.com to obtain her mp3 filled with entertaining and inspiring case studies, and jump on the list to be among the first to receive her upcoming ebook on Feng Shui secrets to changing your office to manifest wealth.

Is Your Body Image a Success Stopper?

Angel Quintana September 25, 2015

IS YOUR BODY IMAGE A SUCCESS STOPPER?

Article by Michelle Hess
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #29

Did you know that you could be wasting and losing money because of how you feel about yourself when you look in the mirror?!

Whether you are on the thinner side or have a more ample sized body, HOW you feel about it impacts practically every area of your life in obvious and subtle ways.

Why do you need to deal with those nagging bad body thoughts? So you can become a smarter more successful entrepreneur. (The added happiness is just a bonus!)

MONEY MAGNET OR REPELLER?

Money stress is in the top 3 worries in the United States. We either attract or repel money with our money magnet skills. Jen knows this too well. She is an attractive over-achieving fire-cracker of a woman entrepreneur--well educated, stylish and ambitious. She’s moved up quickly in her field and is a top innovator for her specialty.

Still, her body esteem affects her money magnet skills.

Even though she can give you fashion advice and beauty tips, when Jen looks in the mirror, she’s constantly picking at her appearance (too short, not toned enough, skin could be better…).

To distract from her body dissatisfaction, she ends up shopping…a lot. Clothes are easy for her to fit into and she thinks that if she finds the “right look” she’ll feel better. Online shopping is her favorite “de-stressing” activity, because she “works hard and deserves it”! There are a lot of new clothes hanging in her closet, tags attached. They won’t get worn.

Her credit cards have balances in the thousands.

Often Jen lies awake at night, her mind spinning about her debt, so now she takes sleeping pills to shut it all out. The money leaks, which are repelling her cash flow are taking their toll.

Stop the Money Leaks!

Jen shows us one way our body image can affect our finances. I know, I know, you can never have too many clothes...or shoes! But seriously, we waste money (lots of it) because either we end up buying the wrong look, the wrong size (the “I’ll fit into it soon” size!), or the wrong trend for our body type.

How much do you think you’ve spent on bad fashion advice over the years?

And don’t forget, this money “leaking” may extend to anything that you impulsively buy to try and make yourself feel better. We want the cash flow to be positive not a downward financial spiral!

SELF-EMPOWERMENT?

Poor body image is also a common success stopper for women in education and the workplace. And guess what?

Yep…THAT COSTS YOU MORE MONEY.

Even for smart entrepreneurs, research aplenty shows that many are holding themselves back from full potential and this definitely impacts money magnet skills. When we aren’t firing on 100% of our creative, ambitious and energetic pistons we lose out.

How confident we feel about our body image affects our overall confidence. So if you are a high-achiever, you could actually be doing okay overall, compared to your average person, but deep inside you’ve got to know that you might not be humming along at full capacity.

Body image and self-love isn’t a trivial issue. As psychologist Dr. Emma Halliwell reports, there is an abundance of “evidence that when society teaches girls that their appearance is intrinsically linked to their value as a person and that their looks matter, society undermines...women's potential to thrive.”

You probably already know that if you speak on stage and at live events you can increase sales more quickly. This success strategy is one of the most fantastic ways to reach your ideal clientele if you have a service based business (if you didn’t know this, seek out one of the HF marketing gurus!). Do you think that if you feel uneasy in your body that you will jump at those opportunities, let alone seek them out?

Maybe, just maybe, you are full of courage and even though you don’t feel great in your own skin, you are doing those speaking gigs and videos anyway. Bravo to you! Now imagine what it would be like if you felt electric and powerful in your body?

Watch out world!

This applies to how you show up EVERYWHERE. Is it time for you to bail on the bad body image and lack of confidence? Increased self-love will repay you over 100-fold. Let’s put an end to the money leaks--along with the lost business growth and career opportunities--so you can look in the mirror with confidence to a more powerful success starter.

It’s a Sign is a compilation of self-improvement articles written by entrepreneurs seeking to bring holistic solutions to everyday problems. Read more articles from this feature.

Michelle Hess, MA, CPC, RYT founded BraveGirl™ in 2006 to build Confidence, Courage and Connection for Women. Michelle helps entrepreneurs drop the drama, ditch the diets and delete the Body Image BS. She's the creator of the Brave Body Love™ Global Summit for Women, the Body Love Experiment™ & Blissful Body, Luscious Life™. Michelle is also a fan of alliteration, Thai food and shoes. Want more body love success strategies? Join the free Body Love Experiment™ and receive a free gift to help you love your body right away.

The 3 Basic Things Men Are Looking For In The Ideal Woman

Angel Quintana September 25, 2015

THE 3 BASIC THINGS MEN ARE
LOOKING FOR IN THE IDEAL WOMAN

Article by Marie-Aude
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #29

So you wonder why you still haven't found love? What is it that all these women in relationships have that you don't? What do you do wrong? You think it might just be some bad karma you have to overcome, but where do you start? Well, finding the man of your dreams, attracting him to you, and making that relationship last is not just about luck.You can't expect Mr. Right to find you and come rescue you from your pain and sorrow. He won't. He wants you to be ready for him when he shows up! And he is looking for three qualities in particular.

The ideal woman is different.

We are all different, but being different is all about knowing yourself, embodying yourself with all of your uniqueness. There are so many beautiful girls out there! You need to stand out. It is not about your weight or body shape, it is about your frequency. Find your true essence, elevate your frequency, and you'll attract him to you (no need to worry, when you fall in love, you will lose the weight.. that's nature at work). It doesn't matter if you've had a shady past, it gives you dimension. It doesn't matter if you have just recovered from a depression, it gives you depth. Your knowledge of your own self, your love for yourself, your own desires and wishes, your own spirituality, it all makes you unique. So, don't try to fit in a mould of what society tells you is ideal, you will just end up being a cast. You want to be the real thing.

The ideal woman is able to give.

Relationships are all about giving and taking. When you found your equal, you will naturally want to give yourself to him. Do not hold back, be generous. Let him see you for who you are. As a woman, giving also means nurturing. Let me tell you straight up: he has to see that you will be able to nurture him and his children. He has to see you as the mother of his children. So stop waiting for him to shower you with presents. Think of what you can offer him. You are a woman worthy of his attention and love, and you want to show it to him.

The ideal woman is also open to receiving.

Mr. Right very often will not show up in the way you would have imagined he would. When you are open, he will know that you are accepting of him for who he is as well. Be open to life's beauty and opportunities; they are infinite. Be open to the Universe, it has so much to offer! When you have a childlike curiosity for life, that is when all things will show up for you. You want to be able to see him and recognize him when he comes. Put on your antennas, and be ready to catch his frequency. That will make you attractive, among other things. If you are up tight and closed up, he will not feel attracted to you.

Are you different, able to give, and able to receive? Of course you are! You are by your own very human nature. It is just a matter of learning to be yourself, and being who you were always meant to be. It sounds simple, but it involves some digging and excavating on your part. It's fun and you are guaranteed to find beautiful treasures. Those are the gems that will adorn the Goddess that you are, and you don't want her to be invisible.

It’s a Sign is a compilation of self-improvement articles written by entrepreneurs seeking to bring holistic solutions to everyday problems. Read more articles from this feature.

Marie-Aude is a Holistic Coach and Natural Health Therapist. If you want to learn more about finding your true essence and radiating love and passion for life. Sign up for her email list and she'll send you a free training on How to radiate love and passion to attract the man of your dreams. Make sure to include the word ''Love'' in the Comments section.

When Your Pet Dies: Tips on Explaining Pet Loss to Non-Animal Lovers

Angel Quintana September 25, 2015

WHEN YOUR PET DIES:
TIPS ON EXPLAINING PET LOSS TO NON-ANIMAL LOVERS

Article by Claire Chew
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #29

When a human closes to us dies, society mirrors our loss with comforting words, acknowledgement, and for those of us lucky enough, home cooked deliciousness in forms of yummy casseroles. For those of us who work in Corporate America, we get three days off to attend a funeral, sit Shiva or other ways to honor the memory of the one we adored. We get a free pass to stay home, wear pajamas all day, melt into the couch, eat ice-cream, watch day-time TV or indulge in whatever pastime to help fill the aching hole in our heart.

It can be so different when saying good-bye to a furry family member. Some non-pet friends and family might ask “There are so many pets at the shelter, why don’t you get another one? ” Other well-meaning comments like “it was just a dog”, “a cat”, or “she was old, it was time, be glad she didn’t suffer” may surface. You would never say to a human “She was old, why don’t you get another one?”

When a human dies, someone organizes an event to celebrate the life of a loved one. A wake, a service, or a memorial. But if we wanted to do the same for our pets, those closest to us might find it odd. We want to celebrate the life we had with them too. For some of us, they’ve outlasted friendships, jobs, relationships and marriages.

To non-animal lovers and outsiders alike, we invite you into our world. Below are some examples of human/animal bond that explains the depths of the love, hence the loss, and hopefully shine light on why the loss of a pet is like losing a beloved human, and why in certain cases, even more.

We miss their unconditional love:
Our pets love us. Period. They do not judge our imperfections or insecurities. We always know where we stand with them. There’s no hidden agenda. We don’t have to try and please. They accept us. All of us. We open our hearts more fully to this bundle of pure love than those who may criticize or reject our vulnerability. This bond of trust and mutual respect and adoration deepens over days, weeks, and years. In loss, we may find that relationship rare, if not impossible to replace.

We care for them like family:
Our pets look to us for everything. They trust in us to provide shelter, food, and love. And it never stops. Unlike children whose needs may decrease over time, our pets needs only increase. We are fully responsible for our pets. Until the day they die. Like responsible humans, we book sitters when we are out of town. We throw birthday parties, go to yappy hour, play dates at dog park. Just like if you had children. So while some might say they are not our children, the loss can feel like losing a child.

Our pets are can be our best friend and a main source of stability and comfort:
Loyal, trusting, fun and dependable, our pets make perfect companions. For those of us who have dogs, he gets us outside in the fresh air, walks to Dog Park, tossing a tennis ball or two to get our energy flowing. This helps not only our physical body, but lower stress. Our feline friends loves to play, keeping u company when we are alone. When we are feeling down, petting and snuggling releases Oxytocin, the hormone that helps with lowering anxiety and mental stress. Our pets are always there for us, sensing intuitively when we need comfort or to lick a tear away. Their all accepting and caring attitude is hard to compare to humans, who may not always be that perfect.

So what can you do if you are a non-animal loving type? Below are some ways you can help.

Keys to becoming a better Pet Loss Friend

-Listen. Listening goes a long way. Often when we are hurting, we just want to be heard and our feelings validated. Mirroring back how we are feeling will help us feel like we have been heard.
-Reach out and ask how we are doing. Even if you don’t know how to respond, or feel uncomfortable, empathy is huge.
-Even if you might not agree that pets are part of the family, be respectful of how we feel. We are not asking you to convert to the other side of the magical animal-human bond club. Treat us as if we had lost a human friend. Because in reality, loss is loss.

“Everyone knows that peace has to begin with oneself, but not many people know how to do it”-Thich Nhat Hanh

It’s a Sign is a compilation of self-improvement articles written by entrepreneurs seeking to bring holistic solutions to everyday problems. Read more articles from this feature.

Claire Chew is a Life Transitions Coach, owner of Luxepets LLC and Modern Pet Loss. Her signature program, from Loss to Possibilities has helped many move forward after loss that is not part of mainstream media~Pet loss, perinatal loss and miscarriages are some topics she shines light and love onto. Her work has been featured in Marie Claire, Martha Stewart Living, InStyle and more. To learn more about helping a friend through pet loss, or find your own way back from grief, contact Claire here for a free 30 minute consult.

3 Sneaky Habits that are Keeping You from Becoming Successful

Angel Quintana September 25, 2015

3 SNEAKY HABITS THAT ARE KEEPING YOU FROM BECOMING SUCCESSFUL

Article by Nikka Karli
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #29

Have you ever wondered why it seems to be so easy for some people to achieve unparalleled levels of love, abundance, and success?

And yet…

It all seems to be completely intangible for you, no matter how hard you try to chase down your dreams. And, by the way, those dreams? They actually seem to be running away from you. As if the harder you try, the further away they get.

You’re actually starting to take it personally.

As in, maybe there’s something wrong with you. Something that makes success nothing more than a whimsical fancy meant for the throngs of other people on this planet, but not you. Never you.

Well, first things first, you are not alone. Even more good news? I’m here to help you step into the greatness that has always seemed so utterly elusive. Until now. (Stick with me, kid. I think you’re going to like this.)

Here are 3 unconscious habits that might be holding you back from creating the life you truly want (and what you might want to do instead):

1 :: You truly believe that you and Shonda Rhimes are destined to be besties (AKA: You spend more time watching other people be gladiators than actually becoming one yourself)-

If you want to actually become a Creator, a Doer, and not just a Dreamer, you have to focus. And focus means less time numbing yourself out to your current reality. Which, in turn, means you need to give up your Olivia addiction. Blasphemy, I know. But hear me out.

Successful people (millionaires, elite athletes, world changers) spend their time creating things that help solve other people’s problems. They do not spend all of their time watching fake problems on (albeit highly entertaining) television shows.

Does this mean you have to cancel your subscription to Netflix right this moment? Not at all. But it does mean that if you want to achieve your goals, it is imperative that you begin paying close attention to how you’re choosing to spend your time and energy.

Ask yourself this: Are you creating your life or are you watching other people act out theirs?

2 :: The last thing you read for self-development was the Highlights for Children magazine at your kid’s dentist appointment (AKA: You have an Amazon book queue 10 miles long that’s sucking up dust faster than a top-of-the-line Dyson)-

Have you ever said to a friend that you love to read but you simply don’t have the time? Well, Gorgeous, I have news for you. Successful people make the time.

Expanding your beliefs and thought patterns will absolutely transform the way you show up in your life. And this change requires knowledge, reflection, and implementation. If you want to serve- to create a global platform for change- it begins with the information and concepts that you feed your mind.

If you have time to get on Facebook, you have time to pick up a book (or a Kindle) and start nourishing the creative space that will allow you to bring your dreams to fruition.

3 :: Your goals see about as much action as a 15-year-old boy in any locker room around the world lying to his friends about how he hooked up with that gorgeous, slightly older Canadian chick he met on his family’s summer vacation (AKA: You’re all talk, heavy breathing, fumbling zippers… and no follow-through)-

You want to make a resounding impact in our world? You want amazing connection and intimacy in all of your relationships? You want the freedom to live life on your own terms? Well, Darlin, it begins with your ability to not only come up with amazing ideas but to actually do something about them.

This is you putting your dreams on the line. This is you saying no to your fears and yes to your results. This- THIS- is how you succeed. In business. In love. In health. In prosperity. In life.

You absolutely must learn how to follow through on the things that you say you want. No more starting and stopping. No more listening to other people’s opinions of how you should live your life. No more succumbing to resistance. Your commitment cannot be negotiable. The life of your dreams depends on it.

Well, Love, that’s it in a paradigm-shifting, momentum-building, world-igniting nutshell. 3 simple things that can change your future. So. What will you decide? To watch or live? To give in or commit?

I’m pretty sure I know the answer. Here’s to becoming your own gladiator.

It’s a Sign is a compilation of self-improvement articles written by entrepreneurs seeking to bring holistic solutions to everyday problems. Read more articles from this feature.

Nikka Karli, The Embodiment Expert (Founder of Turned On Life™) is a writer, yoga teacher, and life and business coach. She consults with Creative Visionaries who want to create a thriving, location-independent business, guiding them to embody the person they need to become in order to create the life they desire.

Download her free guide on adding pleasure to your business and get on the notification list for her highly-anticipated "Becoming Extraordinary" program!

3 Steps To Achieving Your Goals and Getting What You Want In Life!

Angel Quintana September 25, 2015

3 STEPS TO ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS AND GETTING WHAT YOU WANT IN LIFE!

Article by Jentana Lee Dabbs
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #29

Have you experienced being so motivated and confident about something such as a fitness or business goal and then a few days later, that motivation and desire has come and gone like a California rainstorm?

Perhaps, you’ve made every effort to set and follow through on your goals, absolutely swearing that this time you are going to stick with it and then “poof” your motivation is gone, then you make every excuse in the world as to why you can’t follow through on your goal, which at the time, that excuse, such as the fact that your cat needs to be fed, seems to make lots of sense. Perhaps you did stick it through as far as you could and you hit so many obstacles and storms that you gave up on yourself “again.” And now, this has become a repetitive cycle of madness and you’re wondering what is wrong with you? It seems easy for everyone else, why can’t it be easy for you?

Maybe you have some judgments about yourself such as:

•   I have ADD
•   I’m a loser
•   I’m lazy
•   It’s the way I was raised
•   I just can’t deal with it now
•   Let me look further into the reasons why I can’t do this (searching for proof that supports your follow through failures.)
•   I need to stop and take a look at myself/my issues still (using the personal development mask to make you look good to yourself and “what you think” to others why you stopped again on your goals.)
•   I don’t have enough time
•   It’s so and so’s fault
•   If I had more time, money, better looking etc.
•   There’s too many obstacles getting in my way, so I’ll put this off till I have more clarity, things get better, I’m in a better place in my life…etc.

There will always be some excuse that will seem reasonable enough to cause you to give up on your goals, until 10 years later you look back and find that you are still on the same hamster wheel of repetitive patterns with little to no changes in your life except for your age, weather patterns and the hair on your head.

Why do we give up on ourselves?

We give up on ourselves, because change is incredibly hard. We are stuck in a cycle of habit and comfort. Believe it or not, as much as some of us would like to change our circumstances, after years of the same way of being, old habits start to become like an old familiar friend. That habit good or bad, is the only habit we have known for so many years, we know what to expect and how to handle it. In a dysfunctional kind of way, we feel some sort of comfort and control therefore, we are afraid to release what’s familiar and go into the unknown. Our natural, primal instinct for survival goes into fight and flight mode, freezing us in our tracks and causing us to turn around and go back into our comfort zone, the second we hit an obstacle or feeling of discomfort. Only when our pain becomes stronger than the pain of change is when we make more of an effort to ride out the pain of change and make a move. It’s like the story of an old dog sleeping on a nail, the friend says to the farmer, “your dog is sleeping on a nail, don’t you want to do something?” The farmer says, “no, he’ll move himself when he’s uncomfortable enough.”

Uncomfortable yet?
Chances are if you are reading this, then you have reached a certain level of discomfort in your life to finally want to not only do what it takes to have a better life and reach your dreams, but stick to it this time!

Here are 3 steps to sticking with and achieving your goals:

• STOPPING JUDGING YOURSELF! This is THE MOST important step, rather than wondering why something doesn’t work for you, discover what makes you tick and find what works for YOU to follow through and stick things out.

• While you are drifting asleep at night, repeat to yourself over and over again your goal for the next day, such as waking up at 6am and being energized to workout. We are in a natural state of hypnosis when we are falling asleep.

• Listen to a guided meditation, visualization or hypnosis recording to overcome some of your limiting beliefs or blocks daily. Your subconscious mind can’t tell the difference between what’s real and what’s not, so with enough coaxing, your mind will begin to have full cooperation in helping you stick to your goals and get what you want in life!

It’s a Sign is a compilation of self-improvement articles written by entrepreneurs seeking to bring holistic solutions to everyday problems. Read more articles from this feature.

Jentana Lee Dabbs CHt. is a pattern interrupt expert and breakthrough strategist, who is committed to helping those truly determined to overcome their biggest challenges and bring their burning desires to realization when they’ve about fizzled out and call it quits. She brings you one of the most powerful and hottest success igniting systems in the world today and literally trains your mind to not only take action and follow through on your goals but transforms you from self-doubt, fear and uncertainty into a high achieving power house, confidently owning who you are by being who you are. Download your FREE 4 part audio series Mastering The Art Of Persistence & Getting What You Want, When You Want To Give Up.

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