Focus on Your Strengths NOT Your Weaknesses

by Lisa OberbichlerConfidence, Goals, Habits, Health & Fitness, MindsetPosted on No Comments

In today’s episode of the Inspiration2grow podcast we are tackling a very interesting topic – how to place more focus on your strengths versus getting bogged down about your shortcomings or your weaknesses.

“Success is achieved by developing our strengths, not by eliminating our weaknesses.” ~ Marilyn vos Savant

Nowadays, we live in a “fix it” world.

A world in which we are quick to notice what’s wrong or broken about our lives, and we are the last to notice what’s going well.

Can you relate to this?

We, as humans, are inherently bias to negativity because we tend to focus are too much and far too often on the ‘bad’.
 
Of course, back in the days of earliest survival, back in the days of cavemen and women, this was quite helpful when running from a sabretooth tiger and avoiding poisonous berries.

You see, focusing on the bad is or better said, WAS a survival technique.

But now, quite the opposite is helpful.  Most of the time, this tendency to negativity only leaves us in a perpetual state of “not enoughness”.

And, this leads to us spending a vast majority of our time trying to fix the broken parts of us – namely our weaknesses.

Now, I’ll be the first to tell you in order to grow your mindset and skillset, you have to lean into the uncomfortable as well as put in the effort to develop new skills in areas which you want to improve.

However, throughout the improvement process, it is not at all super helpful to focus too much on the areas you aren’t good at.  This only leads to becoming de-motivated or discouraged or worse.

Instead, I want to encourage you to look for your strengths and the things that are going well – researchers call these “bright spots”.

Spend more time on replicating the times that went well and figuring out why and how they went so well, analyzing the positive moments and your strength during those moments. Don’t spend your precious time and brain power on trying to eliminate weaknesses or fix problems.

You’ll feel much more empowered by figuring out your strengths and drawing power from those experiences.

It seems to be in our DNA to concentrate on our areas of weakness and then focus attention on trying to overcome these, rather than giving ourselves credit for and becoming self-aware of our strengths.  It is simply a waste of time and energy to focus on the negative.  Placing your focus on your weaknesses will drain you. 
 
I came across a great quote by Marcus Buckingham that goes like this, “You should focus on your strengths and build on them.  It is a myth that our greatest potential for growth is your areas of weakness.  Focusing on them will demotivate you while focusing on your strengths will help you feel more positive and so give you energy.”

But he goes on to warn us not to confuse strengths with things we consider ourselves good at.  There’s a difference.  Just because you are good at something, doesn’t necessarily mean that you enjoy it. Doing something well, but not enjoying it will also drain you.  So, he advises people to consider what you are good at and find enjoyment it and do more of that.
 
Most of my podcast talks are geared toward the individual but the importance of focusing on strengths over weaknesses could apply to teams, work cultures, groups, leaders as well as individuals of any age.  Research has shown that we have a better chance at winning by focusing on our strengths – either in a group scenario or as an individual – than if we focus on improving our deficiencies.  So, it’s imperative that we capitalize on our capabilities to feel empowered and successful on our own or as part of a team.

What kind of frame of mind will you be in if you put more thought into what you do well?  This makes you feel accomplished and capable as opposed to dwelling on what went wrong yesterday.

Just imagine the power of a positive mindset for a child leaving for his/her school day and a scheduled math test.  If you help your child to focus on past tests that were well done, received a good grade and uplifting remarks from the teacher, that child’s outlook and attitude could possibly shift from an anxious, nervous, ‘not going to do well’ mindset -> to a positive, “I got this” mindset.

Focus on strengths rather than weaknesses to shift your mindset from a negative state to a positive outlook.  You can achieve this by recalling past events, situations or experiences where things went well for you.  Focus on how you did it, what went right, how you felt and how you can replicate the moment.
Having said that, this brings us to the slightly uncomfortable part of today’s show.

Most of us can list several things we simply don’t like about ourselves.

And, you’ve probably received feedback on “areas you could improve on” from others that usually just feels like outright criticism, sometimes solicited but more times their feedback comes unsolicited.

What happens then? Well, we become self-conscious.  We try to overcompensate. We usually try to overcome our weaknesses instead of playing to our strengths.

But, I am here to challenge this pattern that you and I have been following most of our lives.

Let’s reverse the pattern by acknowledging our strengths.

Sometimes it’s not so easy to identify our strengths.  On the other hand, our weaknesses are far too obvious.  We are constantly reminded of times when we fell short of the mark or couldn’t produce our best work or felt extremely uncomfortable dealing with a situation.  This happens because weaknesses often carry clear, vivid reminders of some past suffering we experienced. 

In order to realize our strengths, we will have to dig deeper.  You might have received unexpected praise for something you didn’t put much effort into – that could be a sign.  If people talk your ear off, you could be a good listener.  Maybe people constantly seek out your advice, you might be a great leader or problem-solver.
Every day life has a way of showing you what your strengths are IF you pay attention.

Another way to identify strengths is by figuring out what energizes you.  Strengths make us feel strong whereas weaknesses leave us feeling weak.  So, think of activities in terms of how they make you feel. 

Normally, I would ask you to put pen to paper and make a list of strengths versus weaknesses, but I would like to approach this self-analysis exercise on your strengths by posing some questions to you.

1.        What are you a natural at?  What comes easily to you that others find difficult and may struggle   with?  ->  Find and leverage that ability.
2.       What does reflection tell you about yourself? -> Spend some time reflecting, the create a list of 5 things you consistently receive awesome feedback on.
3.       What makes you feel good? ->  Remember that working on things we need to improve, drains you of energy.  But working from a place of strength, brings us joy and makes us happy.  Think about things you do that make you happy.
4.       What should you focus on? -> You can reach your highest potential by focusing on what you do best.  So, start building on what you already are, not what you are not.
 
If you want to improve your life, you will have to learn what your strengths are and align yourself with them.  When we play to our best self, the results are positive, productive and empowering.

It is important to play to your own individual strengths because our strengths are gifts that were meant to be used and shared with the world. 

My only hope is that you start to implement some of the ideas, tips and strategies that I talk about and I would love to know which ones have been beneficial for you personally.

That’s my message for today, friends.

I would also like to invite you to become part of the Inspiration2grow community on Facebook.  The group name is: Inspiration2grow for Female Goal-getters.  It is meant to be a community of like-minded women who want to grow strong from the inside out.  There will be daily journalling prompts, nutrition and fitness tips, exercises to try, encouraging conversations among the community and lots more.  So, be sure to join this group for support, new ideas and the necessary rocket fuel to propel your health and wellness to new heights.

You owe it to yourself to take care of yourself, show up for yourself and become the best version of YOU.

In case you haven’t heard it yet today, let me be the first to tell you…
You are incredible, capable and your potential is limitless.  Never forget that and 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,
Lisa
 

Should You Share Your Goals With Others?

by Lisa OberbichlerConfidence, Goals, Habits, Health & Fitness, MindsetPosted on No Comments

In today’s episode of the Inspiration2grow podcast we are looking at both sides of the argument whether it is a good idea to share your goals with others or keep them to yourself. I will present points for both sides, however, you’ll soon find out which side I favour.

Since this is the time of the year when most people look forward to a fresh start into the new year, a clean slate to fill with all the goals and things they would like to achieve, I thought it would be helpful to discuss the pros and cons of this hot topic.

I just want to say that the case for one side of the argument is far stronger, in my opinion, than in support of the other and you’re about to hear why.

So, there are two very distinct sides of this argument:  Should you openly share your goals with others?

On the one hand, you have the group that says, “Yes, of course share your goals.”  And, they are of the opinion that by sharing your goals, you hold yourself accountable.

But, on the other hand, you have the opposing group that says, “No, just don’t share them.” They are the ones who prefer to work in silence and let their success make all the noise.

For me, there is only ONE advantage to sharing your goals with anyone, and that is to have accountability.  Some people feel that by sharing your goals, whether big or small ones, your overall involvement in the goal becomes higher and with that, the likelihood of success increases.

Those who argue this accountability point think that friends or family who know about your goals will help to keep you on track by eventually ‘calling you out’ on things if you should get off track. 

But here’s what I struggle with – nobody likes to be publicly shamed for having a donut or a muffin at a family get-together if your goal is to lose weight, for example.  It’s embarrassing to say the least.

Therefore, if you do choose to share your weight lose goal or ANY goal for that matter with someone, make sure it’s the right person.  I would be open with them about how they should hold you to your word.  This person should also be someone you hold in high regard or look up to.  Maybe this person has even gone through what you are trying to achieve, so they could take on a mentoring role for you.

I will give you an example that recently happened to me. 

My husband and I met with another couple who we knew from our local gym.  We were laughing and talking about our efforts to keep fit and I mentioned that I would be doing a triathlon next summer.  I declared it as a goal which I had set for myself.  Normally, I only discuss my wild and crazy goals with my husband, so this kind of surprised me once I had said it.

Instantly, my new friend, Victoria, said she wanted to get involved and do it with me.  But, she said that swimming just wasn’t her thing.  I was excited that she had shown so much enthusiasm and I thought it would be so much fun to do it together with a like-minded person.  We decided to make it a water, road, trail triathlon meaning the first stretch would be done in a kayak, then we would bike a certain distance and the last leg would be on a hiking path.

At the gym the other week, Victoria mentioned that she had been thinking about our plan and she wanted to know when we would start training for it.  I was delighted to think she was as keen on completing this as I was.  So, this goes to show that by sharing your goals with the right people, you will gain the proper support and accountability.

For many of us, a spouse or significant other are the most obvious choices.  But that’s not to say that other people can’t work well as accountability partners too.
Find the right person.  Set up parameters around how they can/should help to keep you on track. And, go after that goal.

But, here’s the flip side of the questions, “Should we share our goals with others?” and the arguments against doing this.

First of all, people can be very judgemental when it comes to your goals. They may not react the way you expect them to and your self-esteem may take a hit.
In the past, I’ve even had people try to talk me out of going after what I wanted to achieve.  That’s probably the point at which I stopped sharing my goals.

And, I have to make it clear that when people judge you, it has more to do with how they feel about themselves than how they feel about you.
When people judge others, they are defining themselves; they are not defining you.

Goal setting is best done in solitude, at least at the beginning.  Actualizing your goal and the things you want to achieve will be easier if you go it alone but after you gain some momentum and confidence in what you are going after, then it is ‘safer’ to talk about your goals with others.  There is less likelihood of you getting off track or throwing in the towel.

And, there’s another really compelling reason NOT to tell others what you want to achieve…

By communicating your goal to others, this tricks your brain into thinking you’ve already achieved it.  You are less likely then to put in the necessary work.  By telling others, it creates a premature sense of completion because you experience a sense of pride in sharing, however that pride will not motivate you at all or create any sort of forward momentum.

Instead, my tip would be to strive to impress YOURSELF first and your results will improve by leaps and bounds.  It’s not important what other people think of you, but it is very important what you think about yourself and how you are showing up for yourself.

Try to impress yourself first and foremost to gain confidence and momentum in moving forward toward your goals.

The other thing that can happen when we openly declare our goals to others is that the admiration we get from them gives us a dopamine rush.  Quite often, you get congratulated on your goals without having achieved them yet. This might feel great at the time but the less likely we will be in executing on the necessary actions to reach our future goals. 

Instead, my tip would be to share only the small wins along your path rather than the big picture.  Allow friends and family to celebrate your small successes and who knows, you might find just the right supporter or accountability partner to reach the final destination with.

A further argument for not divulging your goals to others is that situations may change.  Your plans may change.  Resources may change.  So many things could happen.  If you have a big goal ahead of you, you really need to be flexible. By keeping it to yourself, you allow for more flexibility, and you can stay nimble riding the punches along the way.  Big, complex goals are best kept a secret.

Personally, I only tell my husband about my goals.  Depending on the scope of your goals, sometimes it is necessary to.

As always with things of this nature, there’s a caveat.  We are all individuals; we are all different in so many ways.  If you already have a good system in place that is working for you, great, stick with it.  But, otherwise, I hope some of the points and tips presented today were helpful.

One thing is perfectly clear, and we can definitely agree on this 100% – goals are achieved by sticking to a process consistently.  The biggest and juiciest tip would be to work out your process first, then tell your friends about it.  That will set you up for the most success and best chances of reaching your desired outcome or goal.

A few closing thoughts on goals…

You know, setting goals allows you to paint a vision of what you want your future to be.  And, here’s a different way to look at goals – consider your goals to be visions and dreams with work clothes on (quote by Dave Ramsey).  It makes so much sense because you will have to put in the work to achieve your goals which stem from the dreams you have for your life and the vision you have created (yesterday’s episode on Creating Your Life Vision Episode 39).

And, do you remember the Episode 34 featured Robin Arzon – she said her goals and dreams for her life are so exciting and invigorating that they help her to hit the ground running early each morning providing her with energy, enthusiasm and purpose for the day ahead. 

I want that for you too!

“If you don’t get chills when you set your goals, you’re not setting big enough goals.” ~Bob Proctor

Set goals that are exciting and send chills up and down your spine, ones that energize you and fill you with anticipation as well as purpose each and every day.


My only hope is that you start to implement some of the ideas, tips and strategies that I talk about and I would love to know which ones have been beneficial for you personally.

That’s my message for today, friends.

I would like to invite you to become part of the Inspiration2grow community on Facebook.  The group name is: Inspiration2grow for Female Goal-getters.  It is meant to be a community of like-minded women who want to grow strong from the inside out.  There will be daily journalling prompts, nutrition and fitness tips, exercises to try, encouraging conversations among the community and lots more.  So, be sure to join this group for support, new ideas and the necessary rocket fuel to propel your health and wellness to new heights.

You owe it to yourself to take care of yourself, show up for yourself and become the best version of YOU.

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

You are incredible, capable and your potential is limitless.  Never forget that and 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,

Lisa  xoxo

P.S.  If you are interested in hearing more about going after your goals, becoming more consistent and confident in your efforts, here are 3 past episodes you might like to read here on the blog:

Episode #4 – “10 Ways to Stay Committed and Consistent”
Episode #9 – The Domino Effect
Episode #22 – 1% Improvement Mindset
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mindset of a Real Life ‘Superhero’ feat. Robin Arzon

by Lisa OberbichlerConfidence, Goals, Habits, Health & Fitness, Mindset, Self CarePosted on No Comments

In today’s episode of the Inspiration2Grow podcast I will be featuring the mindset and personal story of an extraordinary woman, Robin Arzon, who was recently featured on the cover of Women’s Health magazine in the November issue.  She is a huge proponent of using movement and fitness to transform your life.  She is the real deal and I would love to share some of her tips and ideas on how to embrace your true self, advocate for yourself and ignite your own superwoman strength.

If you have been following my podcast, you’ll know that I have fallen head-over-heals in love with spinning classes.  And when I ran into Robin’s picture on the internet as a head trainer for Peloton and VP of Fitness Programming for the company, I knew instantly that she would be a great feature for my show. She is well known for her mental strength, which she gained through her fitness journey.

“I really used movement as a tool to unlock and empower, and that is how I became a wellness leader,” Robin Arzon.

Her accomplishments are quite wide-ranging – beginning with a successful career as a corporate litigator in New York, to a marathon runner whose passion for running, movement, health and fitness morphed into a full-blown pivot from working in the field of law to getting involved with Peloton as a full-time career.  As one of the head instructors at Peloton she has worked hard and is very proud of the huge community she has created bringing people from around the world together in the name of fitness. More feathers in her cap include being a NYTimes best selling author with her book entitled “Shut Up and Run”. Her passion for running has seen her complete many different races over many different distances, even a 100-mile race.   She is also head ambassador for the clothing line GSTQ.

A typical day for her begins with her own personal workout and includes – strength training.  But other essentials elements of her morning routine are: meditating for 20 minutes after getting a solid 9 hours of sleep AND fuelling her body with the proper nutrients.  For her, a smoothie packed with vitamins and plant-based fuel is her go-to.  Not only does she emphasize the need to fuel our bodies with right foods, she also stresses the fact that we all need to hydrate our bodies for optimal performance.

“My life is a workout, but my own personal workout is critical, and that will usually involve something related to strength training.  I’m always, always staying hydrated – you cannot hustle without the proper hydration, and in my opinion, with plain ole’ water, as optimally.” ~Robin Arzon

Another critical component of Robin’s ideal day and something we can all consider implementing in our lives is to nourish our souls by educating and diving into things we want to know more about.  This could be through classes or reading, but for her, it creates mental grit in her every day. 

“I want to go to bed prouder each night than when I woke up.  I think our legacy is comprised of small decisions.” ~RA

She claims there is no such thing as work-life balance, but there are priorities as well as a strong work ethic that will get you there. Everyone needs a North Star, which is to do epic things in this world.  We should listen to what our gut tells us, identify a standard for greatness that is both aspirational and achievable. Joy comes from finding what is valuable for you and your life and what can be achieved in this regard. It is worth getting uncomfortable and digging deep to achieve this.
 
One piece of advice Robin gives people who want to begin a fitness journey is to ‘trust the struggle’.  You have to be brave enough to own your journey and it will require struggle.  It’s great to have a mentor or to follow and admire someone else’s fitness path, but ultimately you will have to go it yourself.  There is something unique and special about the journey you embark on.  Trusting your struggle is incredibly important, according to Robin, just as being brave enough to actually have experiences where you fail.  You will gain confidence, flex your bravery muscle, discover resilience you never knew you had, grow strong from the inside out.

I recently heard Robin’s response to the question:  What’s the coolest thing you have ever done?  And I want to share her answer with you…

Robin answered, “It’s not a day or an achievement; it’s a way of life.  One of the coolest things I’ve ever done is learned how to become resilient and trust my hustle.  I think that is everything from knowing that my bag is stocked with ROAR and I’m staying hydrated, but also trusting that I know how to prepare for small and big victories.  I think that the iterative process to success is going to be challenging, but it’s knowing that you have the backbone and the processes and the things in your superhero toolkit to rise.”

The ‘Superhero Toolkit’ Robin is referring to here includes:
 
-> Daily movement
-> Visualization and creating/tweaking a visual board every 3 – 4 months
-> Breath work
-> Journalling
 
From the beginning her mission has been to “redefine, reform and rethink possibility through movement.”  Believe it or not, Robin grew up in a family setting that didn’t place much emphasis on playing sports or being active.  In fact, she thought physical activity and movement were rather scary as a young girl.  She would tell herself things like, “I can’t throw a ball” or “I can’t get fit” and her message to everyone is:
 
We become the stories we tell ourselves. So, it’s crucial that we are aware of these stories running through our minds all the time AND the stories we are telling our children.  Once we label ourselves or are labelled by others, we adopt a kind of identity around it. 
 
For her, she told herself, “I’m not a runner” or “I’m not athletic” and so, she thought there was no way she could ever hit the streets for a jog or a run.  Remember, back in the introduction …. Robin went on to become an ultramarathoner. 
 
When it comes to movement and strength training, she encourages everyone to step out of any old identities which are holding you back, and adopt new ones along the lines of, “I can be a fit, strong woman” or “I am capable of lifting weights to tone my body”. In her words, get curious and uncomfortable about movement and exercise.  Use movement as medicine for your body and mind.  Find the courage to step out and do something different.  Try to develop a stickiness to the habit of movement and fitness by starting small with just a 5- or 10-minute commitment.  The hardest conversation always starts within yourself. 
 
And, regarding the talks we have with ourselves, she emphasizes that we should prioritize these conversations to know your boundaries.  We cannot set standards for ourselves or anyone else if we don’t know what are boundaries actually are.  This goes back to the self-care in episode 30. 
Establishing boundaries creates higher standards and holding ourselves to higher standards brings us more success. 
 
It all goes back to basics and simplicity.  Create consistent, non-negotiable everyday habits with yourself which are important to uphold.  Eating and fuelling your body with healthy food, getting enough sleep, hydrating adequately every day, filling your own cup.  The energy you gain from these actions is ultimately your currency.
 
For Robin, self-care is a prevention strategy.  It is not something you turn to when you are already at your whit’s end.  An analogy is; self-care is like an escape valve which allows that built-up pressure within to be released bit by bit before it explodes.
 
Nothing gets done well or intentionally if we don’t take care of ourselves.  That applies to both the small, mundane every day things but also the larger aspects of our life.  When we find ourselves in moment of crisis, it’s hard for us to make the right choices.  That’s why we have to have our healthy, daily habits so dialed in that we are not setting ourselves up for failure or poor choices.
 
In regards to self-care, ask yourself, “How can I move my body to make me feel more powerful?” 
 
Realizing she could be her own inner advocate was a very empowering moment for Robin.  She came to know that she was the director of her life, which was terrifying and exciting at the same time.  She began running as a means to deal with trauma but soon found out that it provided her with so much more.  Fitness became one of those non-negotiables.
 
“When you go beyond your limits during workouts, it boosts your confidence.  And the workout is so much more than the 20, 30 or 60 minutes you put into the workout  —  it’s how you are going to remember who you are in the other 23 hours in the day.”
 
Although Robin only found movement and fitness as a young adult after a very traumatic event in her life, dreaming big has accompanied her throughout her life.  I’m a huge proponent of dreaming big and setting huge, scary goals for ourselves.  So, her thoughts on dreams resonated with me so much.
 
Her favourite quote is:  “Dream so big that it makes small minds uncomfortable.”  And she continues by saying, “My dreams wake me up before my alarm clock goes off.  I’m ready and so intoxicated by my dreams and the moment I don’t feel or think like this, then I know I have to dream bigger.”
 
I could go on forever about this amazing human. For Robin, leaving a good law career for a job in the wellness industry was a huge pivot but she knew and openly admits that “success wouldn’t be easy but I always wanted it more than I feared it.” This is the mindset of a wildly successful individual.
 
So, after so much inspiration from the perspective of Robin Arzon, I will close off today’s show with Robin’s top 5 tips on how to stay focused and motivated for your workouts:
 
1.        Be realistic with your goals:  Always write them down to get a clear picture of your workout and set the right routine.
2.       Visualize your goals:  Try to imagine the end-game result, and keep that vision to remain focused and make progress.
3.       Meditation for the win: Take to meditating daily to calm yourself and ensure a great start to your day.
4.       Fuel your body for success: Your body requires energy for your workouts, so consume the right foods to guarantee your body can perform optimally not only during the workout but throughout the entire day.
5.       Allow enough time to rest:  Pay attention to sleep and rest times so your body can recharge after each session
 
If you are ever short of motivation, let’s recharge your energy with some of Robin’s inspiring quotes:
 
Inspiration quotes by Robin Arzon:
 
1.       Don’t dim your light.
2.       Sweat transforms lives.
3.       Survive or thrive.
4.       You didn’t get up today to be mediocre.
5.       Take your life and make it the best story in the world.
6.       Are you giving yourself permission to win?
7.       Limiting beliefs are loud.  Make your hustle louder.
8.       You are the director of your life and you don’t need any external validation EVER.
9.       Don’t allow yourself to create negative ‘labels’ for yourself and your abilities.
10.   Know the value and the standards you want to set and uphold for yourself.
11.   We can either be a victim to the circumstance or be victorious no matter what the circumstance is.
12.   Your dreams should wake you up before your alarm goes off each day.
13.   I always believe that I wake up with an invisible crown on my head that says, “Chin up, crown on ALWAYS.”
14.   Willpower is a muscle that fatigues, but it can also get stronger.  If you’ve fallen off your game – in any area of life – the simplest way to get back on it is to surround yourself with inspiration.

I truly hope to have inspired you to grow.

Til next time,

Lisa xoxo
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

Mindset of Sprinkles’ Founder Candace Nelson

by Lisa OberbichlerConfidence, Goals, Habits, MindsetPosted on No Comments

In today’s episode of the Inspiration2Grow podcast, you’re in for a real treat. Pun intended and you’ll discover why shortly.

I love following and diving into the success stories of remarkable women, who have achieved paramount success in business, life and the field of sports because there are many lessons to be learned from these women. And, something they all have in common and share openly in interviews they give is – mindset.  They wouldn’t be where they are today without a solid mindset that helped them through many tough situations, challenging decisions they had to make, setbacks they experienced, the nay-sayers, their failures along the road, their own self-doubt and self-sabotage.  They all attribute their success to a rock solid mindset that was developed over time.

In previous episodes, I featured the mindset of billionaire and founder of Spanx, Sara Blakley.  This was episode #12 by the way.  She was brought up to have a different view of failure, which helped her immensely in her early years of creating the brand of flattering undergarments for women that we all know and adore, Spanx. 

The other sports icon I have talked about was Serena Williams in episode #8.  This tennis legend had to adopt a “think bigger” attitude to overcome a hurdle in her career.  She was and still is a great example of how to stand tall and show up for yourself as the winner you want to be.

Be sure to check out these two episodes for lots of tangible mindset hacks that you too can implement for more personal growth.

BUT, today we are talking about the female founder of a business everyone thought was completely insane. This amazing woman is Candace Nelson – whose journey into entrepreneurship is an interesting one to say the least. It took an enormous amount of courage and conviction to follow her dream of opening the world’s first ever cupcake bakery in SoCal during the height of the low carb craze. 

Just imagine the journey of going from an investment banker in California to attending pastry school.  It was a complete 180-degree pivot in careers, but this passion and purpose-led woman wanted to fuel her soul by making something tangible people would enjoy.  She soon discovered that cupcakes needed a makeover and she decided that she was the one who was going to do it. 

After many months of developing her recipes, creating her brand, and amassing a social media following, she opened the first ever only cupcake bakery in California.  The success came quickly once word got out about how upscale, aspirational, and unique her cupcakes were. Candace knew she was on to something big when Tyra Banks ordered her signature cupcakes for her birthday bash and when she was invited to appear on the Oprah Winfrey show.

The rest is history for this Netflix star (Sugar Rush and Food Network’s judge on Cupcake Wars are two of the shows she starred in), serial entrepreneur and serial author, who has two books under her belt – the first one entitled “The Sprinkles Baking Book” including 100 cupcake recipes, and the other one entitled “Sweet Success”- a simple recipe to turn your passion into profit. With this book, Candace wants to inspire people to become entrepreneurs while demystifying entrepreneurship and offering a proven roadmap for budding entrepreneurs.

Her and her husband, who both put their hearts and souls into their bakery business “Sprinkles”, went on to scale to 11 locations across the United States.  It was a tough go at first with countless gruelling, exhausting days, sleeping on the bakery floors at night, but she always makes a point of saying that her business was founded with a strong sense of purpose and joy.

If you’ve ever heard Candace Nelson speak about her personal growth, you already know that she is a very charismatic person.  She is open and honest about her journey and offers some refreshingly new takes on the mindset you need to have in order to grow as a person – both in life and business.

In fact, she claims her secret ingredient to the success she has experienced thus far is MINDSET.

So, let’s sprinkle in some of her secret ingredient mindset tips into today’s episode…

1.)    Your mindset muscle can and should be exercised daily.  We are constantly feeding ourselves thoughts which in turn become our reality.  Negative thoughts weigh you down and throughout the course of the day, most people have too many negative thoughts.  So, we have to work on flexing and developing our mindset muscles to shift from negative to positive.  You hear me say all the time – flip the script.  Go from… I can’t -> I will give it my best shot.

2.)    Start thinking in terms of “What if….?” Release yourself from the role you think you should be filling and instead, view the world from a perspective of “What might be…?” and “What if…?” Believe in yourself and your potential more and try new things.  Take chances and make use of opportunities that come your way.

3.)    Craft your identity by pursuing many things.  Be open and willing to pivot and reinvent yourself at any point in life. Don’t remain stuck in one place and wondering what could have been or regretting not taking the chance.

4.)    Have a vision of where you’re going, BUT be nimble with the plan.  It is imperative to keep your focus and not to take your eye off the ball.  Eliminate distractions and don’t fall victim to ‘shiny object syndrome’.

5.)    Bet on your dreams. This one is pretty self explanatory.  Bet on yourself and go after your dreams, because no one else is going to do it for you.  You can’t outsource it, you can’t delegate it, you can’t hire anyone to do this for you. 

6.)    Think of yourself as a multi-faceted person (because you are) and remind yourself constantly, that – I am going to show up in the world the way I want to. Explore all the avenues you would like to go down. 

7.)    Inject joy, fun, surprise and meaning into the everyday.  Look inward and ask yourself what truly lights you up.  Be fuelled by passion and enjoyment – every day of your life.

8.)    Have a cheerleader by your side.  Candace had her husband, who told her that he believed wholeheartedly in her dream of opening a cupcake bakery even though people close to her as well as potential investors told her “This will never work.”  Find that special person who will say support your dreams with these simple words, “I believe in you.”

9.)    Don’t care what anyone else thinks about you or your decisions.  Listen to your gut and release yourself from the opinions of others.

10.) Learn to get back up when there are setbacks.  Dust yourself off and continue moving forward. This is an important part of the mindset piece – becoming resilient and confronting fear of failure.

11.) Don’t fall victim to imposter syndrome.  If you feel like a fraud or that you don’t belong ‘in the room’, this is what people refer to as ‘imposter syndrome’ and it holds many women back from going after what they truly want in life and business.  I believe we all suffer from it, and it doesn’t really go away, but we need to know how to deal with it when it arises.  Two things to keep in mind when you feel like an imposter:

-> Remember you are not alone in feeling this way.
-> Feel the fear and do it anyway.

These are two essential building blocks to confidence. When you are scared of something but go after it and achieve it, you build up your confidence situation by situation.
 
A quote be Candace Nelson, “Mindset is key and really is the jumping-off point to any sort of big goal.” And,  I couldn’t agree more.

I will end today’s show as I always do…
In case you haven’t heard it yet today, let me be the first one to tell you…

You are an amazing human being with so much potential.  I believe in you wholeheartedly.  Now, go out and show the world what you are made of.

I hope to have inspired you to grow.

Til next time,
Xoxo Lisa
 
 

Choose & Conquer Your Own Mount Everest

by Lisa OberbichlerConfidence, Goals, Habits, MindsetPosted on No Comments

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

In today’s episode of the Inspiration2Grow podcast, I am going to challenge you to choose your ‘Mount Everest’ and conquer it. 

I make my husband laugh all the time with my quirky ideas and plans.  All the things I have wanted to do during our almost 30 years together would fill several pages.

The problem will my huge, audacious plans was not only the scope but also the fact that I rarely ever followed through with them.  So, he would humour me by saying, “Sure, that’s great.  Good luck with that.”  Well meaning, of course, but knowing I would not likely last more than a few weeks if that.

Having been married so long now, it is not easy to surprise each other with our behaviour.  However, I did manage to truly shock him last summer when I told him out of the blue one day that I was going to train for a “Mount Everest Challenge”. 

As usual, I was on the couch scrolling Facebook when I stumbled across a post from a local chiropractor.  He had helped me recover from a bout of sciatica early that year and I knew from the friendly chats we had during his treatments and the photos lining the walls of his office that he took part in triathlons.  I proudly divulged that my husband was an accomplished Ironman, so we had a common topic to discuss at each adjustment.

It was summer of 2021 when Covid was still having a widespread effect on events of any size.  So, unfortunately, my chiropractor’s high hopes and plans to participate in his first ever Iron competition were crushed.  This led him to organize an event which was open to anyone who felt the need to take on a challenge.
The timing was perfect for me.  I needed something to get me moving, a real challenge.  The beauty of this rather informal event was that YOU had to devise your own “Mount Everest Challenge”.  You had to push yourself to do something – big or small – it didn’t matter.  The only criteria was that you felt you had accomplished …

My dream had always been to take part in a triathlon but certain physical injuries were causing aches and pains keeping me sidelined and frustrated with my own body for giving out on me when I wanted to be far more active than I felt I could be.  As soon as I saw the post about the “Mount Everest Challenge”, I knew this was my chance to prove to myself – no one else –  that I could do it.

So, the training began.  I only had two weeks to get myself in shape for the mini triathlon I set my sights on.  All the necessary equipment got dusted off even the swim cap my husband had worn in his Ironman race back in 2014.  Yes, I keep everything and my hubby thinks I’m a bit of a hoarder. 

Very nervous that my body wouldn’t cooperate, I modified my training to suit my physical limitations.  On the big day, I planned on starting with a 6.5 km fast hike, followed by a 20 km bike ride and ending with a 1 km swim.  Admittedly, I am a rebel and like to do things ‘my way’ but reversing the order just seemed more suitable for my body and in the height of summer, who doesn’t want to finish in the water?

My husband immediately took on the role of my trainer and was stoked to accompany me on this journey.  He also acted as my official photographer as I needed to send documented proof of my challenge in order to receive a coveted medal of completion.  Was it all about the medal for me?  Maybe, a little.  But the sheer fact that I could keep up with the daily training and follow through with the plan were the real awards for me personally.
 
So, the big day arrived.  The conditions were spectacular for my mini triathlon.  The crew – hubby and Charlotte, our Jack Russel Terrier – were ready to support me.  And off we went.  Hiking, biking and swimming.  What an amazing feeling to have: committed to the challenge, training every day, following through with each aspect I had planned to do and completing it.  It was only ME vs. ME. 

I was so thrilled with myself to have kept my promise.  I proudly posted about it, not to brag about my accomplishment but to encourage and hopefully motivate others to ‘climb their Mount Everest’.  The response was amazing and I could tell my people’s comments that deep inside they would like to challenge themselves as well.

This brings me to the actual point of this article.  It only took me 700 words to get here 😊

Everyone needs their own personal Mount Everest to climb.  We all need big, scary goals to keep our lives interesting.  We need to get outside of our far too comfy comfort zone and draw on our immense potential that we all possess. 

Too many of us are complacent when it comes to our dreams. 

Have you ever said, “One day I will …” 

Well, I can assure you that ‘one day’ is not going to be on any calendar.  ‘One day’ will never come unless you make it happen.

There’s a quote I stumbled upon the other day that went like this, “Our biggest regrets are not for the things we have done but for the things we haven’t,” by Chad Michael Murray

Many people regret not going after their dreams when they had the chance.  We will not be able to turn back the clock.  Therefore, we have to create our own opportunities before it’s too late.

So, I encourage you to find your “Mount Everest” and begin to climb it.  And let me be clear… it doesn’t have to be physical exertion.
It could be:

·         That book you have always wanted to write,
·         That language you have wanted to learn,
·         That hobby you’ve wanted to take up,
·         The new business you’ve dreamed of starting.
 
My next Mount Everest Challenge is biking the Tour de France at home in our basement on my stationary bike!  Crazy, right? To date, I have put 391 miles out of the entire length of 2200 miles behind me.  Every day, I aim to bike a certain distance and I keep track of my progress.  Little by little I inch my way along the imagined route.  For me, just like it is for the well-trained ultra-athletes each summer who participate in their gruelling race, it is a mental as well as a physical challenge.

The challenge you choose for yourself can be smaller or larger in scope.  It should take you outside your comfort zone and challenge you to the extent you choose to be challenged.

Sometimes, the true challenge is addressing/recognizing your limiting beliefs around something you’ve wanted to do but haven’t yet because your mind told you it was impossible.

Brian Tracy stated it so well in a nutshell, “You begin to fly when you let go of self-limiting beliefs and allow your mind and aspirations to rise to greater heights.”
So, are you going to rise?

Limiting beliefs will hold us back from achieving greatness.
Limiting beliefs will keep us small and comfortable in our predictable life.
Limiting beliefs will become the truths we tell ourselves.
Limiting beliefs will not help us reach our fullest potential.
Limiting beliefs will not allow us to rise above the rest.

These beliefs stand in our way and become our truths.  Overcoming these self-limiting beliefs and self-imposed limitations is one of the hardest things we, as humans, need to do in order to discover our full potential.

It’s time to confront them head on.  It’s time to squash/crush them proving to yourself that you can, indeed, overcome them.  It’s your time to rise above what you think you can/can’t do and re-write your story.  Your only competition is your mind.  It comes down to YOU vs. YOU.

Are you ready to face your fiercest competitor?  Namely, your mind.

So, when will your Mount Everest Challenge take place?

In case you haven’t heard it yet today, let me be the first to tell you…
You are the most amazing human and you are capable of achieving great things.  I believe in you.  Now, go out there and show the world what you are truly made of.
I hope to have inspired you to grow with today’s episode.
Til next time,
Lisa
xoxo
 
 
 

Put Your New Habits to the Test

by Lisa OberbichlerConfidence, Goals, Habits, MindsetPosted on No Comments

LISTEN TO PODCAST EPISODE HERE -> https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/wtc3zlnNvwb

In today’s episode of the Inspiration2Grow podcast we are going to take a test, an easy yet impactful test that will help you define and solidify any new habit you want to implement.

We are quickly approaching the end of the year and many of us will start reflecting on what we have accomplished throughout 2022 and start looking ahead to the new year full of possibilities.  Setting new goals and intentions is normal, however most people aren’t realistic or make these small promises to themselves on a whim without much thought.  I’d like to help you make lasting change by introducing new habits, but ones that will be ‘stickier’ than before. So, stay with me and let’s put our new habits to the test.

If you’ve been following this podcast, you’ll know I talk about habits a fair bit:  I did a whole episode on “micro habits” and 5 morning habits worth considering.  So, be sure to check them out after this one.

Why am I so obsessed with the topic of habits?

It’s simple.  Habits are the super glue holding our everyday life together. Consider of all the daily habits you perform without even thinking about it – brushing your teeth, washing your face, etc. Your life today is essentially the sum of your habits. Whether you are in shape, successful, happy – is the result of your own habits.

Therefore, habits determine the quality of our life.  By slowing things down and approaching our behaviour, we learn to develop an awareness of why we do the things we do.  As a result, our mindset shifts to support the development of new habits, which in turn brings about meaningful and lasting change.
With my clients, I focus on three levels of change in our coaching sessions:  behaviours, beliefs and identity.  We work on recognizing self-defeating behaviours as well as patterns and solidifying healthy habits that last.

I think we can all agree that implementing new habits and breaking old habits that are not serving us any longer isn’t always easy.

Just like myself, you may have heard different statistics on how long it actually takes to form a new habit.  I thought I would go right to the trusted source, James Clear, well-known author of “Atomic Habits” to get his take on this question.  He talks a lot about 21 days, however, he also writes about the data collected by Phillippa Lally, a health psychologist researcher at the University College of London.  She tried to figure out exactly how long it takes to form a new habit.
Her findings state, on average, it takes more than 2 months (the magic number sited is 66) for a new behaviour to become ‘automatic’.  Since the factors influencing the formation of new habit are wide ranging, such as a person’s behaviour, circumstances, and the individual herself, she concluded that it takes anywhere from 18 – 254 days for people to form a new habit.

Incredible, right?

Since this is Tangible Tuesday, I’d like to walk you through a test called ‘The New Habit Test’.  But before we do that, I’d like you to think of one new habit or change you’d like to undertake in your life.  Perhaps you’ve been thinking of learning a new skill, flexing your creativity muscles, getting in shape, writing your memoirs, decluttering the house, eating healthier, journalling or meditating, taking piano lessons.  The list is literally endless.  But no matter what it is, you’ll have to create a new habit around it and find time to dedicate to this new habit.

For this new habit to have sticking power, by that I mean, you will actually implement it, enjoy it and start to get better at it and eventually automate it … it will have to pass the test.

So, first off – Get Real With Yourself.  Be completely honest.

Choose one change or new habit you would like to introduce to your everyday life.  Just one and let’s use it as our example today.

Clearly define the change you’d like to achieve or define the new habit you’d like to incorporate in your life.
 
Here are just a few ideas from the most common categories:

Health
·         Start your day with a tall glass of water. …
·         Walk for 10 minutes at a time. …
·         Take a day off to take care of your mental health. …
·         Swap one takeout meal for a homecooked one. …
 
Wealth
·         Revisit your household budget. …
·         Tackle your debt. …
·         Consider investing in ways that matter to you…
·         Plan and start a side hustle in increase income
 
Relationships
·         Make more time for your partner in small ways. …
·         Make more attempts to show love in your everyday language through greetings and affectionate words …
·         Notice the positive in your partner and tell them. …
·         Be thoughtful in small ways for a big impact. …
 
Career
·         Schedule time for your own professional development. …
·         Make time each week to reflect and plan. …
·         Every day, identify your big three. …
·         Identify and limit distractions. …
·         Take regular breaks away from screens. …
 
Mindfulness
·         Take up meditation
·         Watch what you eat
·         Listen to people when they speak
·         Notice the world around you
·         Turn off your devices more
·         Practice gratitude

Giving back/helping others
·         Join a local charity group
·         Volunteer your time at a food bank
·         Set aside a certain amount for donating each week/month
·         Schedule a declutter of your home each season & donate the goods
·         Research ways of helping out within your community – aim to get involved in one activity
 
So, the time has come to run your new habit through the test.  This test is comprised of 10 questions.  First off, I’ll read the 10 questions and then I will repeat them adding in very brief explanations.  Trust me that taking action on your new habit right away is paramount for it to take hold and become sticky.  The other important ingredient for a successful habit is for it to be part of your day, which means you have to dedicate time for it. 
 
10 Questions to finally change your habits for good

1.        Is there a small action step I can take immediately?  No waiting, no hesitation, no putting off until “some day”.  Implementation right now is key for this action step.
2.       Am I willing to commit to this action step for an entire month?  New habits or life changes require time and commitment, so if you are not willing to see this task through for 30 days now, it likely isn’t important enough to you.
3.       If I do this every day, what change will I see and what will be the result? Remember that small action steps done consistently over time truly add up to larger results.
4.       Does this habit (and result) have major meaning in my life?  All new changes you implement must pass this test. This is often referred to as your WHY.  If you have a compelling ‘why’, your chances of succeeding are far greater.
5.       Does the pain or not doing it outweigh the fear of doing it? Quite frequently people don’t take action because they’re afraid of failing, not being good enough or possibly embarrassing themselves.
6.       Can I make this a small action step only requiring a few minutes to complete?  Unfortunately, many of us use the excuse of not having the time to complete tasks we want to.  However, breaking down the action/goal into tiny, doable chunks and seeing these small actions through on a daily basis will provide the necessary momentum.
7.       When will I carve out time? This is key to your success, and it must be on your daily schedule just like brushing your teeth.  Whether it is done straight away after waking up, or during midday break, or in the evening, it must be scheduled AND be done around the same time each day.
8.       How can I hold myself accountable? Having a person or means of staying accountable is pivotal during the month.  It could be a friend, family member, co-worker that you “report” to. Accountability cultivates the environment for your new habit to grow roots and succeed.
9.       Can I give myself early small successes?  There are many ways to reward yourself for sticking to your new daily action steps. I like to have a glass jar sitting in a noticeable place in my home, and each time I complete my action step, I drop a loonie or toonie (Canadian coins) in the jar.  Once the time period is over, I buy myself something new.  Depending on your tastes, fresh flowers or a new candle, day at the spa, or a relaxing day in nature could all be rewards – whatever makes you happy and excited to do is a perfect reward.
10.   How will I make sure not to forget?  Here too, there are multiple ways of reminding yourself:  send yourself a daily reminder text, sticky notes on the fridge, computer, bathroom mirror, etc., ask a person close to you for a reminder, alarms on your phone, and the list goes on.  Try, if possible and suitable, to do this new habit first thing in the morning so that the chances of your everyday life getting in the way of your success are significantly reduced.
 
Okay, did your new habit pass the test? If so, then your chances of being successful are good.  If not, then you might want to re-evaluate.

Good habits are a dynamic thing.  They facilitate change one step at a time, and they help you ensure that these changes become part of your life.

Forming new habits is important as they can play a crucial role in several aspects of your life, including mental as well as physical health, productivity, relationships and self-esteem. 

It’s always advantageous to revisit your habits and assess what is serving you and your health well and which ones aren’t.  Remember that both your mental health and your physical health depend on these habits.

One final note on habits…

Setting good habits is a powerful way to achieve your goals keeping us focused and organized.  Once a good habit is etched in your brain, you’ll be much closer to reaching your goals without even thinking about it.
 
Today, I challenge you to commit to a new habit for 30 days, carving out the necessary time, making it a non-negotiable item on your everyday to-do list. Get the momentum going now and don’t wait until January 1 to implement it.  There will never be an optimal day to begin.  The time is now, go after it!

That’s it for today, goal getters.

In case you haven’t heard it from anyone yet today, let me be the first to tell you…

You are an amazing human with so much potential and greatness.  I believe in you. Now, go out and show the world what you are truly made of.

Thanks for tuning in and I hope to have inspired you to grow.

Til next time,
Lisa
xoxo
 
 

The Fear of Change

by Lisa OberbichlerConfidence, Goals, Habits, MindsetPosted on No Comments

LISTEN TO PODCAST EPISODE HERE-> https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/BC9KZ2KMvwb

In today’s episode of the Inspiration2Grow podcast I want to challenge your fears, in particular your fear of implementing change in your life. 

Are you adverse to change?  Do you like things to stay the same, be predictable without any surprises?  Does risk scare the heck out of you?  Do you come up with all kinds of excuses why you can’t make a change in your life?

By the end of today’s episode, I hope to inspire you to adopt a new attitude towards change.

Change makes us versatile.  Change allows us to move forward in life and experience both new and exciting things.  Learning new skills or working on your inner self can bring about changes you never knew were possible.

If you don’t actively work on evolving yourself, life becomes stagnant.
  
So, let me ask you this question…

What do you think of when I ask you to imagine change?  What comes to mind?

Most of us think of the small changes in our everyday life, such as New Year’s resolutions, those little promises we often make to ourselves that help make our lives just a little bit better.  Get healthier, fitter, smarter, practice more self-care, spend more time with loved ones, read more, get more fresh air.  Some people imagine travelling more, cooking at home more and trying new recipes, working out more.

But, then we take a look at the other end of the spectrum of change…the huge changes that have impacted the world.

Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Mark Zuckerberg, Marie Curie, Leonardo Da Vinci, Mahatma Ghandi, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, to name a few. These great names (and many more) have made changes which influenced all of our lives as we know it in some way.

So, if you could see me now, image my arms stretched out to each side or imagine my wingspan.  On one end you have the small changes and at the other end you have the huge, massive changes people such as the ones I just mentioned have made.

The Range of Change =>=>

                II———————————————-THE MIDDLE——————————————————-II
                                                                            

But what about the area in the middle of this spectrum?  This is where few of us dare to go.  This is where the scariest changes happen and the ones that affect our lives the most.  No matter how many small promises you make to yourself or no matter how many people join Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta-verse…it is these middle changes that have the most impact on our lives.

I’m referring to changes that affect you for the rest of your life; changes that set you on a completely different path; changes that are nearly impossible to un-do.
These mid-range changes are often dismissed by the following statements:

-> Oh, I could never do it.  It’s too risky.
-> I just don’t have the time for it.
-> Yeah, maybe another day.
-> Oh, I’m comfortable where I am.
-> I don’t need to do this.

Here’s the raw truth -> change is NEVER going to happen with this attitude.  Change means moving from point A to point B, but it’s the transition that really scares people.

What if we didn’t fear change at all?  What if we decided to go against the norm, get out of our comfort zone, and leave the safety net behind us?  IMAGINE CHANGE

Our lives are pre-determined for us in a way.  We are expected to attend school, then go on to college or university, only to secure a job, buy a house and start a family.  The hope most parents have for their children, at least that was the case for me.

I would like to tell you about my personal story, one not many people actually know in detail.
 
I like to think I was your average teenager.  At school, I excelled in some subjects and had to work harder in others.  In my spare time, I held down a part-time job to earn and save for post secondary education, however I enjoyed spending my hard-earned money on clothes and jewellery – much to my mother’s dismay. 

During the final two years of high school, it was time to get serious about career choices and university applications.  This meant doubling down on school to achieve the necessary marks for the programs I wanted to apply for.  The only two things that were clear for me was that I loved teaching and helping other people and I loved sports.  During this time, the pressure to do well, get the marks I needed, make all the choices that would define my future, please my parents, ended up being too much for me and I landed in the hospital.  After all the tests were done, a tumor was ruled out as were a few other scary options. 
Lying in the hospital bed, I made a decision that would alter my life significantly.  I didn’t tell anyone about my decision.  I kept it to myself returning to school going through the motions like all my soon-to-graduate peers were doing. While the excitement about moving from home to start the next chapter of their education was taking shape, my mind was filled with anxiety.

Finally, the time came to choose which university would see me on their campus proudly sporting their sweatshirt.  My parents were quite happy to know that I had received 3 acceptances from 3 well-regarded universities.  My future seemed pretty rosy from their perspective. So, the three of us, my mom, dad and I agreed to set around the table to discuss the options and financial aspects of my next four plus years at university.

Little did they know, that I had much different plans for my life.  I had decided to do a complete 180 degree shift and chart a new path.  That was undoubtedly the hardest thing I have had to do – tell them their dreams of me attending university would not come true, at least not yet.

I can’t even tell you how much courage it took to look them in the eyes and say, “I am not going to university.  I am going to get out and see some of the world first.”  There was complete silence and disappointment on their part.  How could I give up the chances that were laid out for me?  How could I throw away my life like this?  How was I going to support myself was one huge concern of theirs? What does that even mean, see some of the world first?

If telling my parents wasn’t hard enough, explaining my decision to my closest friends and relatives was just as difficult. To say they were appalled at my decision was an understatement.  And then came the questions or assumptions… If you quit your schooling now, you’ll never go back.  You’re giving up an amazing opportunity by not attending university.  Travel the world, why can’t you do that later, after you’ve completed your education?
 
There certainly was pressure to re-think my decision and ‘get back on track’ with my choices.  But, with every opposing opinion and flippant comment about how I was not thinking straight, my resolve to push forward became even stronger.

Fast forward to today…

I don’t regret a thing. 

Before my fellow high school students had graduated their post secondary education, I had seen many European countries, learned a new language, came in contact with so many different cultures – all of which I learned so much from.  It opened my mind and educated my in more ways than traditional schooling can. 
After living in Austria for three years, I actually did attend university and got my degree in Innsbruck. From there, I opened my own learning institution and became a household name in the area I lived and worked.

So, no, I did not follow the path expected by society and my family when I was 18.  I was not complacent and didn’t follow the norms of the time, which dictated getting a post secondary education right out of high school was the way to go.  I challenged these unwritten rules or standards or expectations if you will, I challenged what my parents wanted me to do; I challenged what my best friends thought I should do.
 
My choice not to attend university but rather give myself time and see the world is one of those middle range changes I referred to earlier. 

It was risky, brave, unprecedented (at least in family and circle of friends), very difficult at times, but worth every second. 
It impacted my life significantly.
It increased my self confidence 10-fold.
It showed me how to take risks.
It allowed me to rely solely on myself.
It granted me open-mindedness and understanding toward other cultures.
It paved the way to a very successful and fulfilling career.
It helped me grow and soar to new heights.
It shaped my future in the most amazing way.

I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for the decision I made to go against what society thought my path and destiny should be.

So, I want to challenge YOU to imagine change.  Don’t allow yourself to become complacent with your life as it is currently.

I wish more people would fear complacency rather than being afraid of change.  There are numerous definitions of the term complacency, but I feel this sums it up best:

You are complacent when you have a feeling of calm satisfaction with your own abilities or situation that prevents you from trying harder.  You feel safe, secure without the need to get out of your comfort zone.

Food for thought:  complacency breeds mediocrity and steals potential.  And you know, I am all about helping others achieve greatness.  I am not interested in average, I aim for the stars and I want you to do this too.  Staying within your cosy comfort zone will not allow you to reach your full potential either.  Don’t you want to discover what you are truly capable of?
 
Remember… life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

So, I want you to try new things, set out of your comfort zone and I mean way outside not just baby steps, take risks, do things in ways you’ve never done them before, and become obsessed with the fact that you have but ONE go-round on this planet as the you that is you, and just realize how precious and important it is NOT to squander that.  (modified from original Jen Sincero quote)

I realize the middle changes are the scariest, and they are also by far the most difficult to carry out.

It also takes a lot of courage to imagine change when there’s so much judgement both online and offline.  We have to brush this off, become tone deaf toward this judgement. 

It’s your life and you make the decisions. 

In fact, this is the exact sentence I used as a come-back when friends and family told me I was crazy to turn down the chance of a good university degree.  I boldly and calmly explained, “This is MY life and what I choose to make of it is totally up to me. If I choose to go back to university, then I will but not before I am ready.” 

So, if any of you have gone through one of those middle changes in your life, I salute you from the bottom of my heart.  You have my deepest respect.
You are some of the very few that made the leap before you could even see the safety net.

For those of you who are contemplating a major life change, use my story as motivation and encouragement.  You will grow in so many ways, trust me on this.

The first step is to imagine change, the next step is to take action and pursue it.

So, what do you intend to do with this one precious life you have?

That’s all for today, and thanks for taking time out of your day to tune in.

I will leave you as I always do…
In case you haven’t heard it yet from anyone today, let me be the first to say it…

You are so amazing and capable.  The sky’s the limit and I believe in you wholeheartedly.  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,
Lisa
xoxo
 
 

Taking Charge of Your Belief System

by Lisa OberbichlerConfidence, Goals, Habits, MindsetPosted on No Comments

LISTEN TO PODCAST EPISODE HERE -> https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/312Std57twb

In today’s episode of the Inspiration2Grow podcast, we are talking about how we can take charge of our belief system and our minds based on a question I received on social media. 

The question goes like this:

How do you keep your confidence high and know you’re on the right track when you’re not getting the results you want yet?

I love this question for a number of reasons, and I feel a lot of us can relate to this situation.
 
So, let’s jump straight in to a mini-mindset lesson to answer this question.

When you’re not getting the result you want, you need to watch the meaning you create and the story you’re telling yourself about what’s happening.
What is the story you’re creating if you’re not getting the results yet?

For example,  I’m not getting the results, so…

-> This must mean it does not work.
-> This must mean it will NEVER work for me.
-> This must mean the strategy is outdated.
-> This must mean I am not as good at this as I thought I was.

The fact is, you’re telling yourself these very elaborate stories AND choosing really terrible meanings.

You tell yourself a story (oh, I must not be any good at this) and what you believe to be possible shrinks down and your inspiration or motivation to do what you want to do also decreases.  Then you don’t get the result.

Every action you take is influenced by this negative energy.  It also means your potential gets diminished.  You adopt an identity around not being successful due to the lack of results.

You tell yourself, “Oh, this validates what I thought in the first place; it affirms the belief I have.”

Ultimately, you are creating a negative, downward spiral in your mind with these stories. Each non-result or lack of result seemingly underlines what you thought from the beginning, i.e. it will never work for me.

So, what do you do in this situation?

You have to shift the meaning or the story you are telling yourself.

Flip the script with these 2 questions:  What else can you say to yourself about the situation?  What else is true?

With these two closely connected, powerful questions you can reframe how you view the situation and inject new energy into it.

So, what else it true?

* It’s only a matter of time.
* Every time I get better at it.
* It’s not a matter of if, but when.
* I’m going to keep trying until I make it.

AND, the moment you say this to yourself, all of a sudden you feel this surge of energy.  Why?

Because you feel like you are back at cause.  Because you feel like you are back in control.  You are in the driver’s seat instead of the emotions overruling you.  Now, you’re inspired to take action.

You, then, create a new meaning or story.

I want you to say the things that will actually motivate you.  Create the beliefs that are actually going to support you on this journey.

Let me take my beloved example of someone on a fitness journey as an analogy. 

She wants to lose weight, tone her body and gain new strength through her workout routine.  But, it’s hard finding the time each day, hard staying consistent, hard sticking to a calorie-reduced nutrition plan.  It’s just HARD. She starts and stays with it, but isn’t happy with her results or lack thereof.  She questions whether she’s on the right track and whether to throw in the towel.  The bit of confidence she had at the beginning stages of this new routine are waning very quickly.  Is it worth it?  She wants to quit on herself, yet again.

My response to her:

At the beginning of this journey, you were ALL in, fully committed to go on this journey.  You are going to see it through because every time you give up on yourself, you are chipping away at your confidence AND losing integrity momentum (I explained what this is in Episode 13, so check it out).  With every new attempt, you will have to gear yourself up again both emotionally and energetically. So, by all means, keep yourself in the game even if things aren’t progressing, you’re still on the right track.

And, I would ask her…

So, what else it true?

-> It’s only a matter of time.
-> Every time I get better at it.
-> It’s not a matter of if, but when.
-> I’m going to keep trying until I make it.

We humans are meaning-making machines.  We constantly create meaning and stories about what has happened to us and create beliefs that do not serve us.
Every time we have a new experience, we create a meaning/story that is either going to support and serve OR hurt us. 

This is where I say – YOU HAVE A CHOICE.

Flip the script, take control and shift your thoughts for the better! 

I want you to internalize this:

~ I am going to create empowering stories.

~ I am going to redefine the meanings that are actually going to serve me and send/move me in the direction I want to go.

This is what is really, truly going to make the difference.  It’s all about mindset and beliefs.

We must take charge of our belief system and our minds.

Hopefully, this mini-mindset lesson will be useful.  I urge you to listen to it whenever you feel the need, jot down the powerful question as well as the two phrases to remind you of the new, empowering stories you will create in the future.

I will end today’s episode as I always do..

In case you haven’t heard this yet today, let me be the first to tell you…

You are amazing, capable and extraordinary.  I believe in you.  Now, go out and show the world what you are made of.

I hope to have inspired you to grow.

Till next time,

Lisa
xoxo
 

Strengthening Your Integrity in just 5 Minutes a Day

by Lisa OberbichlerConfidence, Goals, Habits, MindsetPosted on No Comments

LISTEN TO PODCAST EPISODE HERE -> https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/1b0ld246twb

In my work as a life coach, I help people shift their limiting beliefs through strategic mindset work in order to create transformation in their lives – whatever that means to them.  Some clients desire transformation in the area of their health and fitness, others in their relationships, some in their work situation, while others need to break down their long-held limiting beliefs around money or their new business.  But, in all cases, it all boils down to shifting their beliefs in themselves and their abilities.

Side note:  Yesterday’s episode on Sara Blakely’s mindset shifts and development, that helped her make millions with her company Spanx, are great examples of how a growth mindset makes you unstoppable, tenacious, accepting of failure as a means to learn and grow.  If you haven’t listened to this episode, be sure to check it out.

So, let me just say…

Mindset is 100% of the equation.

Today, I’d like to show you how beginning a new habit for just 5 minutes a day will strengthen your integrity and restore your faith in yourself and your abilities.
As an example, I am going to take working out for just 5 minutes a day to demonstrate how such a short period of time and commitment will restore your integrity and dignity in yourself.

However, if you prefer a 5-minute practice of journalling, meditating, creative writing, even reading, that’s fine and this mini-mindset lesson will work perfectly for any habit you’d like to start and gain some momentum in to create change and transformation in your life.

So, find one small way to show up for yourself each and every day.  It’s something that must be doable, realistic, and attainable.  And remind yourself, if you are doing 1% better today over yesterday, then YOU ARE WINNING. 

Your expectations must be realistic because I’m all about creating REAL habits that create REAL results.

The transformation will happen in both your heart and your head.  We want to generate an internal change about how you feel and love yourself.  Our intentions and actions will impact our hearts, minds, and ultimately our souls.  This will become clearer as we dive deeper into the episode.

You see, creating change from the inside out is essential for any habits to take hold and become part of you. Far too many times, people fall into the traps of not creating internal change first before diving into a new habit on only a surface level.

5 minutes a day is everything.

As humans, we try and fail, try and fail, try and fail to the point where we feel we aren’t worthy or valuable.  We believe that we can’t accomplish anything and begin to hate ourselves.

You might be here right now.  You have quit on yourself far too often giving up after a short period of time labelling yourself as a quitter.  Self-sabotage has become your M.O.

In such cases, we are lacking the most important thing in our lives.  We are not yet aware of the sticky glue that will hold our lives, goals and commitments together.  We don’t yet know the key to success in any area of our lives.

What is the magical ingredient?  INTEGRITY

Integrity is doing what you say you’re going to do when you say you’re going to do it.

You might be one of the millions of people who are struggling with their own integrity.  We are all humans; we all struggle with this.

But the truth is until you figure this out, you will continue to struggle to reach your goals.

You can accomplish anything you put your mind to. You can set your mind to something and do it – even the big things, not just small things.

The problem is quite simple.  If you stopped and asked yourself why you’ve started and failed so many times, you could figure it out.

You’ve spent your life taking on way too much, so many commitments at once in order to create the change you want.

Going back to my example of working out and becoming fitter.  You may have spent hours at the gym, taking all the classes, running or walking, cycling or spinning. You’ve put yourself on a restrictive diet, depriving yourself of a lot.  

You literally want to take on any and all possible commitments so you can get to your goals faster, but that’s just not sustainable.
This is a recipe for disaster and self-sabotage. 

I promise if you continue to take on more than what it sustainable for you, you are bound to fail. 
There is a silver-lining though.  You can do something about it!

So, many clients ask me, “How is 5 minutes actually going to help me, Lisa?”

When you take a leap of faith, you trust me and start small, you’re actually going to start playing a big game.
Instead of committing to everything at once, which we know now is a recipe for disaster -> commit to 5 minutes a day.

What will happen?  You actually start doing what you said you were going to do.  You start having that thing called integrity show up in your life.  And when you have integrity, you build dignity, which is the love you have for yourself.

You actually start to LOVE yourself. How amazing would that be?

Then you start to realize you are good enough and you can accomplish anything.  Once you know this, you say to yourself, “If I can do this,…”  “If I can actually make and keep a promise to myself, what else can I do?”

Then the world becomes your oyster.

This is what I call “Integrity Momentum”.  You may have heard of the Law of Inertia in physics classes.  Well, it tells us that an object in motion, stays in motion.  Whether good or bad, whatever we have going on keeps going on.

So, now that we have integrity going on and dignity going on, we love ourselves and it can keep going.

When you cross something off your to-do list, how does that feel?  I know for me; it feels pretty good.

How does it feel when you complete something you said you were going to do?

These are all wins.  And after a handful of wins under your belt and days of keeping the commitment to yourself, this is a powerful feeling and has massive value for your mind and soul.

You won’t be able to ignore the thoughts running through your head.  We have to shift our thoughts to:
->  I am a promise-keeper.
->  I do what I say I’m going to do.
->  I am the most important person in my world, and I will value & treat myself as such.

This is INTEGRITY.

After you’ve proven to yourself that you’re a promise keeper, you will start setting your sights higher, deservedly because you CAN and SHOULD.
Before you know it, you’re going to be accomplishing things you never ever thought possible AND faster than before.  Much faster than the time when you thought you had to take on the whole world at once.

You see, what I am going to say may seem very counterintuitive but…

You have to slow down to go faster.
 You have to do less to accomplish more.

And it all starts with just 5 minutes.

Remember that it’s all about showing up and making commitments that are ridiculously simple, so ridiculously simple in fact, that you can keep them and show up no matter what the day throws your way.

The goal is to keep yourself winning, each and every day.

In case you haven’t heard it from anyone yet today, let me be the first to tell you…
You are an amazing human being, so full of potential.  I believe in you.  So, now go out and show the world what you are truly made of.

I hope to have inspired you to grow.  

And, til next time.

Lisa
xoxo
 

The Making of a Billion Dollar Mindset – feat. Sara Blakely

by Lisa OberbichlerConfidence, Goals, MindsetPosted on No Comments

LISTEN TO PODCAST EPISODE HERE -> https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/kGzl6BC5twb

In today’s episode of the Inspiration2Grow podcast, I am going to zero in on 3 major shifts in Sara Blakely’s mindset that helped her take her company, Spanx, to great heights and be listed on “Time 100” – a list of top 100 of the most influential people in the world.  She was also granted the title of the world’s youngest self-made billionaire by Forbes in 2012.  I think you’ll find this episode very enlightening.

Sara Blakely’s story is one of failure and grit.  Surprisingly, the founder of Spanx doesn’t attribute her phenomenal success to goal setting or self-discipline as many might assume, but to her mindset, which began to shift and develop at the young age of 16.  Things changed for her when she began listening to personal growth audio cassettes in her car for hours on end. 

The first and likely the most powerful mindset shift that Sara experienced was taught to her by her father.  As they were gathered around the table for dinner, he would post the question to her and her brother:

1.        What did you fail at this week?  Sara’s father would give them a high 5 when they told him about something they attempted but it didn’t go so well, or they may have been terrible at.  Instead of coaching or correcting them, her father celebrated their effort.
 
Sara claims this reframed her definition of failure stating, “Failure for me became NOT trying, versus the outcome.”

Don’t focus so much on the outcome because you are then afraid to fail.

This mindset shift helped a lot when it came to the 7 years of door-to-door selling that Sara found herself doing after college.  Many doors were slammed in her face along the way.

Develop the ability to:  get up, dust off and try again.

We have to learn to take full responsibility for our actions and realize every failure or less-than-stellar attempt at doing something provides us with a huge opportunity to grow and learn.  This is where mental resilience comes into play.  Sure, we get knocked down but can we get back up, dust ourselves off and take on the next attempt with re-newed vigor.

The acronym F.A.I.L. stands for ‘first attempt at learning’.  We should remind ourselves of this and embrace failing as a means to learn.  This ties into the growth mindset nicely, which is all about learning HOW to fail well, and knowing that learning from failure is what leads to eventual success.  This is summed up in the sentence I encourage everyone to adopt, children, teens and adults alike, “I can’t do that…. YET.”

The best success stories often begin with failure.

Failure paves the path to success, but as we all know, failure can be quite a lot to handle at times.  It can get you down and start a pity party or back you into a corner of despair, hopelessness and low self-esteem.  In short, failing at anything is daunting no matter how you look at it. But, if you’re ever feeling down about a failure, I want you to remember that the best success stories often begin with failure. And, great women such as the likes of: Oprah Winfrey, J.K. Rowling, Lucille Ball, Vera Wang, Arianna Huffington failed many times before they ultimately succeeded in their respective fields of brilliance.

Fear of failure makes you fail … because you won’t even attempt things you’d like to do.
 
I think society needs to start redefining failure as they did at the Blakely household.  There is a very negative stigma associated with the words:  fail and failure. The fear of failure often stems from a deep-rooted fear of experiencing shame or embarrassment.  Failing can trigger feelings of worthlessness, so avoiding trying to do the activity in the first place serves as a means to protect oneself from sadness, regret, disappointment.

So, let’s flip the script on failure and start asking the question of yourself and your family… What did you fail at this week?  Celebrate the efforts in trying new things. 

2.       The second mindset shift that helped Sara Blakely especially when she was starting her new company was, “Do not care what other people think”.  This was a huge piece of her mindset that she says, still to this day, is important and takes constant work.  However, she comments, adopting this attitude is extremely freeing because you no longer care what others think of you and what you are doing, and you take more risks with this mindset.
 
“Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.” ~Lao Tzu
 
Unfortunately, we live in other people’s heads.  Let me give you a few examples of what I mean by this.
 
Ø  We carefully choose what we wear to the gym to look our best in the eyes of the other gym goers.
Ø  We beat ourselves up after a meeting at work going through everything we said, worried about what coworkers think of us.
Ø  We post the absolute best photo out of 35 plus selfies we took, adding a flattering filter to gain more likes and approval from others that we are attractive.
We live our lives worrying far too much what others think of us.  This makes us judge ourselves even more harshly.  It causes us to feel uncomfortable in our own bodies.  It causes us to feel apologetic and makes us live according to OUR perception of other people’s standards.  It results in feelings of: anxiety, lower self-esteem, being inauthentic, I’m not likable enough, I’m not intelligent enough, I’m not pretty enough.

The truth is, and I really want you to internalize this, other people’s opinions of us are none of our business. Their opinions have absolutely nothing to do with us and everything to do with them.

                At the end of the day, YOU have to be in love with yourself.

                You have to admire the way you do things and be the best possible version of who YOU can be.

I realize it’s not easy to ignore other’s opinions about you but here’s where a bit of mindset work comes into play.  Set up some boundaries for your thoughts.

-> Know your core values and see them as a bright, shining light that is guiding you through a forest.  The brighter the light, the clearer the path.
-> Know that you have complete control over your feelings so don’t allow others to get you down. Stay in charge of your mind and reactions to others. 
-> Know that you are doing your best and feel great about it.  No matter what response you may receive for your well-intended actions, remind yourself of this and don’t take it personally.
-> Know that everyone makes mistakes.  Even though we don’t talk about it enough, we all make them, big or small.  The world will not come to an end.
The bottom line is: stop caring what other people think and live life on your terms.  It will change your life.  Sara Blakely is a testament to this.
 
3.       Become a No-Limit Person – At the age of 16, Sara Blakely received a set of audio cassettes from her father.  She listened to the voice of Wayne Dyer, creator of “Becoming a No-Limit Person”, for hours on end until she had completely memorized his teachings.
In a nutshell, these cassettes were all about taking back your power.  We’re living in a society in which we attribute the things that happen to us to others. We also put limits on how much we can accomplish in life.  What if…you decided there was no limit to what you could achieve?  How much more would you be able to accomplish in life?
Three key principles Dyer talks about in depth:
 
* Recognize your capacity for growth
* Everyone can achieve high limits
* Why complain over things you have no control over
 
These endless hours of personal development were so impactful on her, she even presented the idea of teaching this to her school principal.  Sara commented, “In school they teach us WHAT to think, Dyer and his cassettes taught me HOW to think.”  She continues by adding, “Self-education is so important to your development as a person and it’s the very thing that will set you apart from everyone else.”
 
She strongly believes the more you experience in life, the more you have to offer others. 

So, invest in yourself…it’s the most important investment you’ll ever make. ~Jim Rohn

With that quote, I will wrap up today’s talk.  I hope you enjoyed the examples from Sara Blakely’s life that shifted her way of approaching things like:  failure, limiting beliefs and other’s opinions. 

And, I will leave you as I always do…
Just in case you haven’t heard it yet today, let me be the first to say it…

You are an amazing human being, full of potential.  I believe in you.  Now, go out and show the world what you are truly made of.

I hope to have inspired you to grow.

Til next time,

Lisa
xoxo