Make Self-Care & Setting Boundaries a Priority

In today’s episode of the Inspiration2Grow podcast we are talking about the necessary self-care every woman needs, now in December especially, and how setting healthy boundaries is a huge part of self-care.

The concept of self-care has evolved quite a bit. It’s not just about finding ways to relax and carving out a bit of ‘me time’ in your daily life – it’s much more than that. Yet, many still see self-care as a luxury such as a day at the spa, retail therapy, going on a retreat, etc., but in today’s show, I’d like to impress upon all of you lovely ladies that self-care needs to be a priority in your life and doesn’t have to cost a cent.

So, what is self-care, really?  It can be defined as the active process of making your body and mind a pleasant place to inhabit by filling your own cup first.  This ensures you have enough to give others.

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”

The problem I see with women is that they view the act of self-care as something kind of selfish – spending time and efforts on themselves.  Some even go as far as calling it narcissistic behaviour.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, then we really have to flip the script on this attitude.

“Self-care is so much more than a beauty regimen or an external thing you do.” 

Self-care is a conscious act to promote physical, mental and emotional health.  And, sometimes you will need more self-care in one area in order to restore your balance and find relief from a stressor in your life.

Just a few benefits of self-care that you might not have ever considered…

It is important to build resilience toward certain stressors in your life.  It leaves you better equipped to deal with overwhelm, stress and anxiety.  It boosts your self-esteem and confidence. It helps protect your mental health.  It can also foster better relationships with people near and dear to you.  It leads to a healthier lifestyle and ultimately you will lead your best life if you are taking good care of your mind and body.

By now, I hope you are beginning to realize how crucial self-care is and you are willing to prioritize it.

It’s Tangible Tuesday, so I would like to address a few areas of self-care and provide some strategies for you…

1.)    The first and undoubtedly, most important pillar of self-care is living a healthy lifestyle.  By now, you know how much I talk about physical fitness.  BECAUSE IT IS SO VITAL for our lives.  As women, we often put our own wants, needs and demands on the back burner.  We look after everyone else but neglect ourselves.  This has to change in order for you to live a long, healthy life.

In a nutshell, living a healthy lifestyle involves:  eating healthy, nutritious foods, getting adequate sleep and exercising regularly.

I’m going to ask you four questions and I want you to be brutally honest with yourself:

-> Are you getting enough sleep each night?
-> Is your diet fuelling your body well?
-> Are you taking charge of your own health?
-> Are you exercising enough and getting out in the fresh air at least once a day?

If the answer to ANY of these questions is NO, then you should assess the situation and become proactive in doing something about it.

Although they seem like stand-alone questions, they are very closely related to each other.  If you’re exercising enough, then you’re likely able to sleep better at night.  If you are consuming nutritious food rather than junk food or a lot of processed things, you are taking charge of your health and probably your sleep will improve as well.  If you are getting out in the fresh air at least once a day for a walk or run, then your self-esteem gets a boost, and you will likely fuel your body in a more conscious, healthy way. 

Personally, my sleep improved immensely when I started my new exercise routine of gym visits, spinning and swimming 6 days a week.  I don’t do all three activities each day, but on most days I do two of them.  There are also dog walks sprinkled into my daily routine, which gets me out in the fresh air and is truly mood boosting.

It’s like a trifecta of healthy living – eating the right foods, exercising regularly and adequate sleep.  Try to prioritize and implement beneficial habits in all three of these areas for a well-rounded healthy lifestyle.
 
2.)    Connect (reconnect) and surround yourself with people who lift you up.  You know the ones you can laugh with, share goals and dreams with, the ones who support you wholeheartedly, the ones you feel aligned with, the ones you meet after a long while and it’s like you’ve never been separated from each other. 

I am so blessed to have the same three close friends that I had growing up.  And, even though I lived in Austria, Europe for 25 years, we have re-connected and it’s as if time has stood still and we weren’t separated by the Atlantic Ocean for all those years.  We get together, laugh and reminisce about school days, make plans together and support each other unconditionally.  But we have to make a concerted effort to stay in contact.

It takes time and effort to cultivate and maintain better relationships with these special ones, but it is an essential part of your social well-being. 

We often become too wrapped up in our own lives and neglect these relationships.  So, devote some time (how much is very individual, and this is something you will need to figure out in terms of what works best for you) to arranging face-to-face meetings or if that isn’t possible, make a point of calling this person and giving them your undivided attention for a good chat.

Here are some questions to consider:
 
~ When was the last time you spent with your best friend?

~ Do you and your spouse/significant other have ways of lifting each other up and connecting during those busy, hectic days?  My suggestion would be leaving little love notes…in a lunch box, on the pillow, in his/her vehicle – to find as a surprise.  Or write a nice card to this person outlining all the things you:  love, appreciate, admire about them and your relationship with them.  It needn’t be costly or complicated – often the small, personal gestures have the most impact.

~ Assess and make a list of the people who lift up you and energize you when you meet.  Try to connect with them over the holidays and spend some quality time with them.  It’s up to you to take that first step.

~ If you think making some new friends is necessary, why not research which local groups you could join that might be a good fit for you and your interests.
Since joining our new gym, I have met some wonderful, like-minded ladies.  One of them invited my husband and I to join her and her husband for a ‘drink’ some months back.  Slowly, but surely it is blossoming into a nice friendship.  Because we have similar interests is staying fit, we decided to plan a triathlon next summer involving: kayaking, hiking and biking.  So, even though you might think it is difficult to meet friends at an advanced age, I’m here to tell you it is totally possible.

One other thing I did to meet new people was start a book club.  We had moved to a new area up north and I was interested in getting to know more local ladies, so I put up some ads and before I knew it, we had formed a small group of women who wanted a social gathering with a focus on reading and discovering new authors’ books each month. New friendships were solidified and the rest is history.  There are so many ways of putting yourself out there to meet new people; just take the plunge and see what works best for you.
 
3.)    The ultimate act of self-care is to set clear boundaries for yourself and others.  This sounds so easy but is one of the toughest things to do.  I think we are afraid of offending others by setting boundaries.  Done in a diplomatic, respectful way will not leave friends or family feeling hurt. Just a word of advice, they might not understand this new shift or change you’d like to implement.  Be prepared for some push-back but also be prepared to stand your ground on these new boundaries.

Essentially, boundaries are statements of intent put in place by you to protect you from conflicting demands that may arise in daily life.

“Boundaries are like an invisible force field that protect you from the choppy waters of life.”

They can be seen as a set of strategies or intentional decisions YOU make about your life, what you let in and what you keep out.

Have you ever felt forced to do something you really didn’t want to?  I know I have.  This goes back to the days when I used to be an incurable people pleaser and a person who couldn’t say NO.  Because of this, I found myself in many situations I hated being in and my workload got completely out of control.  This led to a serious bout of burnout.  That’s when I started setting more boundaries to protect myself – both physically and mentally.

I’m sure most of you can relate to taking on too much, your plate is too full, no time for yourself and feelings of anger and regret surface.

A remedy for this is setting personal boundaries. They help us stay on track and avoid distraction from things which are not important in your life.  And, they stop you from saying YES when you would rather say no.

For example, you might set a boundary around drinking less or no alcohol at a get-together or work function.  You’ll need a strategy or a ‘line’ to say when offered a drink.  And, in certain situations, there may be pressure to do as the others are doing.  You can have a comeback ready such as, “Thanks for offering but I’m afraid alcohol doesn’t align with my health goals right now.”

Another example we all have to deal with particularly during the festive season or birthday parties is setting boundaries around eating certain foods and sweets.  I know, in the past, it has been difficult for me to decline offers of great food and desserts. I felt like I was letting them down or they would be somehow offended if I didn’t eat their goodies.  But once I politely declined and stuck to my goals of not consuming sugar, nothing happened.  No one was insulted.  The party went on and I felt good about myself.

So, when it comes to protecting your healthy lifestyle, set those boundaries up to be in line with your health goals.  Have a sentence on hand to politely say ‘no thank you’.

If spending money is an issue for you, you might set a boundary around spending money more intentionally and only if you REALLY want to.  A strategy could be to jump right off your favourite internet shopping site the next time you find yourself scrolling through items.

Boundaries set your expectations for yourself as much as what you expect from other people. 

* Who are you going to spend time with that lights you up and supports your life?

Setting boundaries with friends can seem difficult.  So here’s a tip to consider:

Talk and be open with your friend.  Explain why you’re setting boundaries with your friend(s) before making them active.  Show respect and let them know what’s bothering you.  Take the time to articulate why you feel the boundaries are necessary and perhaps even ask their opinion on the matter.

This tactic would also work for any workplace or co-worker boundaries you may feel like setting.  If you approach this with respect and openness for the other person, you will receive a much better response than being harsh or abrupt.

Remember… “Boundaries protect the things that are of value to you.  They keep you in alignment with what you have decided you want in life.  That means the key to good boundaries is knowing what you want.”

So, I encourage you to make a list of some personal boundaries you’d like to implement.  And, include the ideas you’d like to plan into your day regarding the healthy living aspect too.

Here’s my list as an example.

For me, self-care means…

-> Nutrition is a priority; fuelling my body to perform well is a non-negotiable
-> Eliminate all processed food and sugar (95% of the time)
-> Daily movement and workouts
-> Abstaining from alcohol 99% of the time
-> Consuming LOTS of water
-> Getting to bed early
-> Rise and shine at 5:30 am to mentally prepare myself for the day
-> Setting my intentions for the day first thing in the morning
-> Fuelling my brain with books rather than TV
-> Spending quality time with people that are aligned with my goals

Maybe you like the sounds of one or more of these.  Why don’t you adopt your favourite?

So, that’s a wrap on Tangible Tuesday’s necessary self-care talk. 

I truly hope to have inspired you to grow.

In case you haven’t heard this from anyone yet today, let me be the first one to tell you…
You are amazing and full of potential. I encourage you to implement some self-care TODAY, because you are sooooo worth it and deserving.  Now, go out there and show the world what you are truly made of.

Til next time,

Lisa xoxo
 
 
 

7 Limiting Beliefs About Losing Weight

In today’s episode of the Inspiration2Grow podcast we are debunking 7 limiting beliefs surrounding weight loss and fitness routines. 

As a mindset coach, I’m all about shifting those fixed, negative beliefs that are getting in our way and hindering us from making progress and being success.  In this episode we are going to take a look at some common beliefs holding people back from losing the weight they desire to and flipping the script or reframing the things we tell ourselves.  It’s a good one, so stay tuned.

I think we can all agree that losing weight is not strictly a physical endeavor.  Our mindset plays a very important role in whether our efforts are successful or fail leading us to quit and give up once again on our mission to slim down, shed a few extra pounds.

Weight loss can essentially be boiled down to a simple mathematical calculation -> calories in must be less than calories out.  Meaning you have to burn off more calories than you are consuming.  Easy, right?

Not when your mind gets involved because there are so many “stumbling blocks”, excuses and limiting beliefs about your body and ability that could get in your way of success and hold you back from reaching your goal weight.

Today, we are going to explore 7 very common limiting beliefs that play havoc with our attempts to shed those unwanted pounds and keep them off for good:


1.       “I can’t do it.”

This is the #1 limiting belief in many things we try to do, so it’s no wonder that it rears its ugly head here too.

Former unsuccessful attempts at losing weight will foster a strong belief within you that you can’t do it.  Perhaps you think you are only capable of losing just so much and not more, or you might believe that you can’t lose weight at all.  In any case, this kind of thinking will override your desire to eat healthy and exercise.  It will seem like an uphill battle that you have no way of winning.  Then, if little to no progress is noticed, this will confirm your belief of “I can’t do this.”

Action to take if this sounds like you:

-> Remind yourself that you are capable of doing anything IF you simply take the proper action steps.
-> Tell yourself that you are not alone and millions of people have already done what you want to do, so if they can do it, SO CAN YOU.

2.       “I’m not good enough.  I don’t deserve it.”

Suffering from low levels of self-esteem and self-confidence can leave you feeling like a failure, even after trying hard to move the needle forward in your weight loss efforts.

I’ve heard this from so many women and it just breaks my heart.  Why on earth wouldn’t you deserve to feel vibrant, energized, slender, sexy & feminine, happy & healthy in your own body?

-> Remind yourself DAILY that you deserve to live a very happy, vibrant life.  One that is filled with happiness and positive energy.  Repeat this to yourself day-in-day-out.  Because it’s true.

-> Tell yourself the actions you take today, regardless of how small or insignificant they may seem at the time, will benefit you tenfold in the future.

-> Show up for yourself every day of each week of each month of each year.  You are worth it.  Start believing in yourself and stop looking for outside validation.  Show yourself some true self-love by taking the necessary action steps toward your goals.

3.       “It’s no use; it’s hopeless.  This is just the way I am.”

It’s quite easy to feel like everything is working against you, regardless of how hard you put in the effort.  You feel like the entire universe has conspired against you and you are destined to stay the way you are.  It all seems quite hopeless. So, the pity party begins.

The truth is, you are stuck and will remain this way if you don’t take charge.  You may even feel stuck in other areas of your life as well even though you don’t have any logical evidence to support such a belief.  Constantly stuck, no forward propulsion in life, no improvement, no momentum, no moving the needle toward a favourable outcome – stuck, stuck, stuck is how you feel.

-> Remind yourself that YOU are the only one responsible for your life, your choices, your attitude, your decisions, your responses.  Side note ->  a great episode to listen to is #28 which is all about excuses and complaining.  It might help you with this limiting belief.

-> Decide to take back your power and take action.  Start today, start with small action steps, start ‘messy’, just start.  With every small action step you take, your self-esteem and confidence will grow.  That alone will ignite a spark and soon momentum will take over.

4.       “I was born this way. My family has always been on the heavy side.”

I think far too many people buy into this idea and then adopt it as their belief.  Just because other family members are overweight, does not mean you are destined to be as well.  The problem is that if you believe my family is overweight, so my genes dictate that I will also be that way – you have given up on yourself from the get-go.  You fall back on the “I can’t” mentality and you won’t feel capable or strong enough to even try.

-> Remind yourself that even overweight families have members that do not struggle with their weight.  Look around and find those examples.  Use them as fuel for your mission of losing weight.

-> Tell yourself frequently that HABITS are passed down through generations.  Bad nutrition habits and poor habits regarding exercise and working out contribute far more to people’s overweight problems than genes do.  Just know -> your genes are not working against you.  Your bad habits are.  So, change your habits to change your body size and weight!

5.       “No matter what I do…”

Have you ever thought:  I’ve tried everything, done everything in my power, but no matter what I do, I still can’t shed those unwanted pounds?  Allowing yourself this negative attitude is essentially giving up on yourself before even giving yourself a chance to succeed.

We need to flip the script, create a new anthem that you repeatedly say to yourself.  It could go something like this:

-> “I choose to be successful at everything I do from now on.”  Very simple, yet mighty powerful.  But you might not be convinced or really believe it wholeheartedly at first.  Just keep it up and over time you will definitely see proof with your own eyes.

-> Here’s a great tip, one that I talk about regularly in my podcasts – celebrate your wins, daily.  So, I want you to turn each day into a success.  At the end of the day, say to yourself, “Wow, look at what I did for my health today.  I ate healthier today than yesterday.  That’s a win for me!”  or “Wow, I made it to the gym and did a workout today.  I did it.  That’s success.” 

Essentially, we are altering the way we view success and also failure. Concentrate on the small steps you’ve taken and the small daily wins you’ve achieved rather than what you ‘think’ is working against you.

 
6.       “It’s too hard.”

Another limiting belief that comes up in many situations, it’s by no means exclusive to weight loss.  The truth is…changing your lifestyle habits in order to lose weight WILL NOT BE EASY.  Come to terms with that.  In fact, change of any kind is often difficult for most of us especially when this change is so strongly attached to habits that we have been practicing for a long time now.

The problem is that people get started on their weight loss program with good intentions and some motivation, but soon realize how hard it can be to make the necessary changes that will move the needle and facilitate noticeable success.  We begin to doubt our ability in ourselves. We ask ourselves whether we can keep going and stick with the plan.  Things start to crumble in your mind.  Excuses may start sneaking up in your thoughts.

-> Switch this limiting belief from “it’s just too difficult for me” to ->  “So what if it’s hard?  I can do hard things.  I’m going to keep going anyway.  I’m going to do my best and, even if I stumble along the way, I will still be making progress.”

This is the greatest example of switching from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. 
 
7.       “I feel vulnerable.”

If you are overweight, you have to understand that it is not JUST because of your eating habits.  Most likely, there are some emotional fears or traumas causing you to gain weight as a sort of defense mechanism. When you start to lose weight, feelings of vulnerability might surface.  You feel exposed in some way.  Your extra pounds were protecting you. 

-> Remind yourself that extra weight does absolutely nothing to protect you.  Quite the opposite…it makes your life much more difficult in all three areas – emotionally, physically and mentally.

-> Be open and willing to rediscover your strength, that you didn’t even know you had.  Be willing to let go of the weight that is weighing you down both mentally and physically.
 
So, that’s a wrap for today’s show. 

I hope that I have inspired you to grow.

And…in case you haven’t heard it yet today, let me be the first to tell you…

You are the most amazing human, and your potential is limitless.  I believe in you 100%. Now, go out there and show the world what you are truly made of.
Til next time,

Xoxo Lisa
 

Ditch the Excuses and Complaining in Your Life

In today’s episode of the Inspiration2Grow podcast we are exploring ways to stop the most important thing that is likely holding you back – the excuses and complaints your mind thinks up.

Hey, everyone, welcome back to the show.  How are you doing today?  We are well into what some people think of as the busiest time of the year.  For many it is stressful, but I prefer to look at December as a reflective month.  It’s the time when I look back on the past 11 months and reflect on all that I have accomplished and perhaps some goals I haven’t achieved YET.

So, let me give you a moment to reflect on 2022…  What have you done/accomplished/achieved over the course of the 11+ months with your life?

Has it been a beautifully transformative year for you?

Has it presented challenges you have overcome?

Have you made the most of this one precious life you are living?

If you feel like you have fallen short of the mark or short of your expectations for 2022, what happens then?  Do you make excuses, or do you start complaining about your situation? 

I have a hunch the answer is yes for most people.  You see, our brains LOVE to complain and come up with excuses as to why we can’t do things we want to.
Complaining is a huge problem for us.  And, the fact that our brains love to constantly complain doesn’t help the situation for us at all.  Have you ever observed or taken note of how often you complain about things that take place in your everyday life?  I bet you haven’t.
 
Today I am challenging you to take what I have to say to heart and consider flipping the script on your complaining.

Let me first explain how this complaining habit plays our in our heads.  Your brain is always looking for problems because it is a problem solver.  That means, your brain is constantly looking for something to complain about.  We follow our brain’s lead and look at all the things that are going wrong – this is neither useful in the giving circumstance nor a pleasant mindset to have.

So, the first thing we have to do is become really intentional about how you look at things which are going right in your life instead of dwelling or wasting time thinking about all the things that are going wrong.  Trust me, you will immediately feel so much better.  This could also propel you forward to take more action on the things that are going well.

If you tend to complain about everything, that’s when you feel terribly stuck.  That’s when you feel like there is no forward momentum, no moving the needle forward. 

-> You’re not taking the action you know you should or that you want to.
-> You’re not getting up early to get a head start on your day.
-> You’re not eating the right foods that fuel your body and give you the necessary energy.
-> You’re not exercising or finding time for physical activity.
-> You’re not building health relationships the way you intend to.
-> You’re not managing your finances like you know you should be.
-> You’re not showing up as your best possible self to the world around you.
-> YOU ARE STUCK because of your complaining.

Remember, your life is created by the decisions you make on a daily basis.  You truly CAN take control of your life if you simply accept this fact:    EVENT  +  RESPONSE  =  OUTCOME.  It’s as simple as that!

Complaining is normal and we all catch ourselves doing it.  I could find a myriad of things to complain about in my life, but I have made a conscious decision not to.  Instead, I focus on all the good things.  Let me give you some examples:

~ I used to complain about all the pain I was in and that my body just wouldn’t and couldn’t do all the things I wanted from it.  Now, ->  I am grateful that my body carries me through my swim and gym workouts. 

~ I used to complain about how much work I had.  Now, ->  I flip the script and say to myself, “Wow, it’s amazing that you are able to help so many people.  You are able to impact so many lives with your work.”

There’s nothing wrong with us if/when we complain.  It is all part of the human experience.  However, I challenge you to create a slightly better mindset and set of thoughts when you feel a complaint arising in your head.

If we want to improve our lives, we need to get stronger.  If we want to improve ourselves, then we have to start paying attention to our complaining habits – whether they are loud or quiet whispers in our heads.

Pay attention to the complaints.  Start becoming curious about them.  Notice when you voice a complaint and just stop it.  Be aware of this habit and shut it down before you say it next time.

You can train your brain to focus on things within your control each day.  Remain steadfast and focused and aware.  Take it hour-by-hour or day-by-day.  Slowly but surely retrain your brain to stop thinking of all the things that might happen or go wrong.

Switch your thinking to situations you have control over.  Focus on:  things you love doing, things that are going well for you right now, your goals, something you can take action on today, focus on the small wins you have experienced lately.

Food for thought here…

Why complain, when you have the ability to choose?  Living life effectively and on your terms involves personal responsibility.  YOU are responsible for YOU, your choices AND your responses to situations.

So, as of today, right now, immediately, stop the complaining!  Take charge of your thoughts and accept responsibility for your situation.  Only you can alter it. 
I really want you to understand that you may not be able to change the EVENTS in your life, however, you can change your response.  That it something you have control over.

And, remember, it’s not the event itself that controls you, it’s your response to the circumstance.  It’s your choice how you respond to the event.

It’s December and we are undoubtedly going to be around family over the holidays.  This could potentially present some situations where family or friends begin complaining about something.  There seems to be a lot of criticize, tear apart and complain about in the world around us currently.  But here’s the thing, YOU can choose to take part in this conversation OR you can remove yourself from the situation OR you can choose to put a positive spin on the conversation by offering a more pleasant, positive outlook.  Do not let yourself get involved and invested in negative talk.  It’s not useful or helpful for anybody to complain about situations, events, things out of their control.  Be the change that needs to happen and feel darn good about it!

Let’s move on to the sneaky excuses your brain offers you that potentially hold you back from taking action on your goals.

·         I’m too old to do this.
·         I’m too tired, maybe later. 
·         I’m not good enough.
·         I don’t know how.
·         And so on…

Our wonderful brains make up all kinds of excuses on repeat that we are in some ways immune to them.  They are often so subtle, yet they hold us back – this is why we feel so stuck.

The truth is… deep down inside most of us know that we CAN do the thing (whatever that looks like for you – fitness, work or relationship-related goals).  The truth is, we know IF we have 100% and put in 100% effort, in return, we would get 100% back.  And, deep down, most of us know the BIGGEST think keeping us from our goals are the absolute BS excuses our brain comes up with.

It’s time, high time in fact, to take charge and reclaim your power within.

No one is actually making you do anything that you don’t want to do.

You have to realize or become aware that’s a choice you are making OR a story you are choosing to believe.

Excuses such as: having no time, no motivation, no energy, no strategy of how to move forward, or my children keep me too busy, etc.

I’m sure you know exactly what I’m talking about because it happens to ALL of us.  But, we have to be bigger than our excuses.  Don’t allow them to rule you and your decision making.

I’ll give you a real example from my life and this just happened yesterday by the way…

I was ready to leave the house for my lane swimming session.  My husband and I usually go 5 – 6 times a week.  But yesterday I was going alone because my husband was busy.  So, I got ready as usual, put my backpack full of swim equipment into the car and started to back out of the driveway.  Suddenly, excuses started to fill my mind.  Thoughts such as:  stay home with your sick dog (Charlotte was sick, yes, but well enough for me to leave her for one hour), you’re feeling good so no need for swim training today, take a day off – is what my mind was saying.  After shaking off those two excuses, I kept driving.

At the next stop lights, my mind was telling me to turn around and head back home because of so many reasons and ultimately trying to talk me out of going to my swim session.  I continued.  YOU have to be bigger and better than your own excuses! We are faced with these mental challenges every day.

So, I arrived at the pool, got my favourite lane, started to swim and then my mind was telling me to quit after 30 minutes saying, “You’ve done enough for today.”  “Don’t overdo it.”  But, I kept pushing myself. Pushing those sneaky thoughts and excuses away.  Focusing on the activity itself.  Staying true to my goal.  Not letting myself be talked out of finishing my swim session. IF YOU don’t push yourself, no one else will.

In the end, it was the most amazing swim training I have ever had.  I set my personal best in the pool yesterday.  I had never been able to swim more than 1.5 km in an hour.  But yesterday I managed to swim 75 lengths for a total of 1,875 meters.  I was thrilled with my accomplishment. 

“Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anyone else expects of you.  Never allow excuses keep you from reaching this high standard.  Always be bigger than your excuses.”

What excuses are holding you back?  Flip the script and ask yourself, “What can I do to improve?”

Well, let’s just take a good, hard look at the situation…

* No one forces you to drink too much coffee, wine or consume too much sugar.  Start by cutting out that extra cup of java or wine this season.  Cut back on the sugar and perhaps replace it with something healthier.  Take small steps at first and love yourself for doing it.

* Your lack of exercise begins with YOU and nobody else.  Start by taking a simple walk around the neighbour each day and build on that beneficial habit.

* Skipping means and choosing snacks you know you shouldn’t be eating, is your decision.  Take responsibility for your actions and choices, today.  It really doesn’t take much effort to prepare ‘easy-to-take-along’ snacks which are nutritional.  Start by cutting up an apple and adding a few almonds as a snack or pack a hard-boiled egg with a few cherry tomatoes to munch on when your feel hungry.  Put in the effort instead of making excuses!

* Not drinking enough water is nobody else’s fault.  I hate to say it like this, but it’s true.  Start the day by filling a few glasses or water bottles and set them or take them with you for easy access.  Always try to take 10 big gulps from your glass instead of gently sipping.  I like to add cut up cucumber and a bit of lemon to my water for a refreshing taste.

* Poor time management often comes when people spend/waste too much time scrolling on your phone taking a look at everyone else’s life or consuming too much TV.

* Blaming others for the situation you find yourself in is NOT taking responsibility for your life.

The time has come to take a good hard look at yourself and stop blaming, complaining and making excuses about why you can’t get ahead, move forward, reach your goals, improve yourself, show up for yourself.  Be honest about what you need to take responsibility for!  Nobody can change that except YOU and you have to OWN it.

Then it’s time to get excited.  Once you choose to improve and accept the responsibility of your life as your own, you can make a conscious decision to change things and move forward toward the results you want.

Make it your rule or mission from now on:

No more blaming.
No more excuses.
No more complaining.

Your new mantra is:  “I take 100% responsibility for my life.  Where I find myself now is due to my choices, and mine alone.  But, where I will be in the future is also up to me and my choices as well.”

Ultimately, it’s up to you to fix you!

And, that’s a wrap for today, friends.

In case you haven’t heard it yet today, let me be the first to tell you…
You’re amazing; you’re beautiful and capable.  I believe in you 100%.  Now, go out there and show the world what you are truly made of.

I hope to have inspired you to grow.

Til next time,
Xoxo Lisa




 




Are You Ready to Love Yourself?

LISTEN TO PODCAST EPISODE HERE -> https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/boIp4v6Pvwb

In today’s episode of the Inspiration2Grow podcast I want to give you a reminder that you are loved, worthy and can your power back.
 
 
Have you ever wondered WHY some people can’t or won’t see your value?
 
Have you ever felt unseen or unheard in a relationship?
 
Or worried if you put your work out there other people won’t see your value either?
 
The pain and struggle in relationships happens as a reflection of the pain we avoid sitting with inside ourselves. 
 
We live in a reflectionary universe, which means the universe is your mirror. And one of the biggest illusions our minds play on us is that it tells us we are separate from everything else in the world.  That we are alone, that no one else is like us or could understand us. That there is something wrong with us. That we are not good enough.  BUT, none of these statements have much truth to them.  The truth is, you, me and everything out there in the universe are interconnected and acting together as one.
 
 
So the biggest most impactful work you can do is INSIDE with yourself and then watch that reflect outside for you. It’s not in the trying to coerce other people to love you or see your value. 
 
You are loved. Period. The end.
There’s nothing you have to do or prove or perform in order to be loved. You just are.
 
Your worth and inherent value has nothing to do with anyone outside of you validating or invalidating you.
The question is are YOU validating you?
 
Worthiness… it’s at the core wound of all the attachment work out there.
 
We look for it in other people to tell us we are worthy, ready, and deserving of ______ fill in the blank,… love, money, respect.
 
But that’s NOT how it works.
 
Time to take your power back now friends and discover how to LOVE yourself … it’s just a decision.
 
And you’re worth it.
You can continue giving your power away out there for someone to love you, or see you or value you. Or you can claim it and do the work yourself and then watch your reflections show up as this wholeness you seek outside yourself. 
 
I’m talking about this today in relation to your purpose because your purpose fulfilled will depend on your relationship with yourself.
 
Your confidence, your worth, how you FEEL about yourself and your work is all dependent on this.
 
That’s why I am always saying “bet on yourself, you are the lottery ticket”.
 
You can learn new skills, you can do hard things, and you can create transformation in any area of your life that YOU decide.
 
It all starts with a decision to take a radically honest look inside at the thoughts, stories, feelings being triggered, and then the willingness to take radical responsibility for what we find and finally have enough radical self love to do something different.
 
So, DSD – do something different.
 
I’m going to finish off today’s short episode with some wise words to live by:
 
·         Let it go – never ruin a good day by thinking about a bad yesterday.
·         Ignore them – don’t listen to other people, live a life that is empowering to you.
·         Give it time – time heals everything.  Remember that!
·         Don’t compare – the only person you should try to beat is the person you were yesterday.
·         Stay calm – it’s okay not to have everything figured out, just know that in time you’ll get there.
·         It’s on YOU – only YOU are in charge of your happiness and life
·         Smile – life is short! Enjoy it, embrace it and live it to the fullest while you have it.
·         Be kinder to yourself – give yourself grace in all situations.
·         Love yourself – start a love affair with yourself and begin to see what a wonderful, amazing person you really are. 

Once the internal shift happens, the rest of your world will notice too.

I truly hope to have inspired you to grow.

Til next time,

Lisa
xoxo