About Progress

Finding yourself after years of putting everyone else first isn't a straight path and Kayley knows that better than most. In this clip, she gets real about what it actually felt like to be a stay-at-home mom of seven while quietly carrying a dream she didn't think she was allowed to have. She opens up about the depression, the identity loss, the guilt, and the slow, hard work of building a marriage that actually goes both ways.

What she discovered along the way? The biggest obstacle was never the logistics. It wasn't the kids, the schedule, or even the MCAT. It was believing she was worth inconveniencing her family for. That's the self-compassion work no one talks about, the daily habit of reminding yourself that your needs, your goals, and your growth matter too.

If you've ever talked yourself out of something because it felt selfish, or if personal development has felt more like a luxury than a necessity, this one's for you. Because how you feel about yourself shapes everything…your marriage, your happiness, your ability to keep going on the hard days.

https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-do-you-get-into-medical-school-as-a-busy-mom

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Exciting news - my debut book, Sticky Habits, is hitting the shelves on September 8th! We often think only a certain "habit person" can master habits, but I'm here to flip that idea on its head. Habits are here to help you, not control every second. They're meant to support pivotal parts of your day, like your morning routine or evening wind-down, so you can focus on what truly matters.

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In my recent conversation with Nir Eyal, a best-selling author and behavioral expert, we delved into the nature of beliefs, underscoring how they are neither facts nor fixed. Nir shared an enlightening perspective on how beliefs can be either limiting or liberating. It's fascinating to learn how our minds can be both our greatest allies and our heaviest burdens when clinging to outdated beliefs.

The takeaway? We have the power to rewire our perception and shift those beliefs, treating them as tools rather than truths, which allows us to nurture motivation and reduce suffering. Applying this idea to everyday life, I find it empowering to tackle the "muck"—those sticky areas where we feel stuck—by reassessing my beliefs. It resonates with how I coach women to see their identities dynamically. This is a gentle reminder to all of us: let’s hold our identities lightly and focus on who we want to become.

Nir's book, guide, journal, website, Instagram

Preorder Sticky Habits book today!

Join the Book Launch Committee for behind-the-scenes and first peeks at all things book.

Join the Supporters Club to keep About Progress around for good.

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Get 50% off last year’s More for Moms All-Access Pass with code LISTENER at checkout.

First episode with Nir on distraction: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-to-become-indistractable

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If you've ever fallen off a habit and spent more energy beating yourself up than getting back on track, this one's for you. Sandra Chuma breaks down why shame is one of the biggest blockers to real personal growth and development and why the path to lasting daily habits actually starts with self-compassion, not self-criticism. She makes a distinction that hit hard: there's a difference between being a failure and experiencing a failure. One crushes you. The other teaches you. If you're working on self improvement and wondering why you can't seem to stick with anything, the answer might not be discipline, it might be the way you're talking to yourself. 

Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/keys-to-creating-big-routines-by-starting-with-small-habits

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This monthly series features an episode sharing my recent highs and lows, how my habits are going, a Do Something List update, plus what I'm loving lately and my commitments for the upcoming month. I hope this glimpse into my life, my family, my work, and my own self development encourages you in your own journey.

Around here the goal is never perfection, just to keep trying, even if in very simple ways. I think you'll see that with all of the big changes going on for me, taking the smallest of steps has helped to keep me afloat and feeling like myself. As always, I encourage you to get messy, too! 

Get 50% off last year’s More for Moms All-Access Pass with code LISTENER at checkout.

Preorder Sticky Habits book today!

Join the Book Launch Committee for behind-the-scenes and first peeks at all things book.

Join the Supporters Club to keep About Progress around for good.

Get the free DSL Training.

Get your AirDoctorPro air purifier with the discount code “MONICA.”  Get your teen Knix with code “PROGRESS.” Go to Quince for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

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Feeding our families is a never-ending task, one that can weigh heavily on both our minds and wallets. I used to feel overwhelmed by the constant need to plan, shop, and cook meals, but I've discovered a few strategies that have transformed our dinner routine into something manageable and even enjoyable. By keeping an essentials list, planning and shopping biweekly, and focusing on simple repeat meals, I’m not only saving money but also finding more peace around mealtime. These approaches have allowed me to reduce stress and spend more quality time with my family, enjoying meals rather than dreading them. I hope these insights help you reclaim your evenings and bring joy back to your family dinners this summer.

Get Your Grocery Game Plan Guide

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Recent episodes on a similar topic: 3 Simple Ways to Take the Dread Out of Dinner, A Simpler Way to Feed Your Family, How I’ve Saved Major Money On Groceries; How to Dramatically Cut Your Grocery Bill

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What happens when your body finally says enough — even when you love your work, even when everything looks fine from the outside? Becky Higgins shares the moment an anxiety attack forced her to stop, let go, and make the biggest trade-off of her life. What she discovered on the other side — more confidence, more clarity, more alignment — is a reminder that rest isn't the opposite of personal growth and development. It might actually be the path to it. If you've been white-knuckling your way through your daily habits and responsibilities, wondering why you still don't feel happy, this one's for you.

Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/why-you-need-to-say-no-to-good-things

⁠Preorder Sticky Habits ⁠book today!

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Check out my ⁠⁠workshops⁠⁠!

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As I reflect on 2020 in celebration of About Progress turning 10, I'm reminded of how the global pandemic altered life as we knew it, personally affecting our family with immediate, life-altering decisions. Looking back, I'm proud of how I showed up for my community, even when navigating difficult discussions online about race and politics.

Old episodes to support: Interviews with Arielle Estoria, Nir Eyal, Brooke Snow, Jasmine Bradshaw, and Kolbie Blume, What to do When You Don’t Know What to do About Racism

 ⁠Get the Best Summer Ever Workshop at half-off⁠ old pricing!

 ⁠Preorder Sticky Habits ⁠book today!

Join the ⁠Book Launch Committee⁠ for behind-the-scenes and first peeks at all things book.

Join the ⁠Supporters Club⁠ to keep About Progress around for good.

 ⁠Get the free DSL Training⁠.

Get your ⁠AirDoctor purifie⁠r for up to $300 off with the discount code “MONICA.”  Get your teen ⁠Knix⁠ with code “PROGRESS.” Go to ⁠Quince⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

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Shang Saavedra is a personal finance expert who helped me rethink frugality in a liberating way. Our conversation explored the emotional roots of our money habits, revealing how mental health significantly impacts financial literacy. Shang shared her personal story of living off 20% of her income during her twenties, not out of scarcity, but with the goal of buying time and freedom later. This approach was truly eye-opening, showing me that frugality can lead to joy when it's aligned with our values. Shang's inspiring and compassionate approach left me feeling more empowered and hopeful about my financial journey, and I hope sharing her insights will motivate you to embark on your path to financial freedom too.

Shang's free investing guide, Instagram, website

Referenced ⁠IG post⁠

Preorder Sticky Habits book today!

Join the Book Launch Committee for behind-the-scenes and first peeks at all things book.

Join the Supporters Club to keep About Progress around for good.

Get the free DSL Training.

Get the Best Summer Ever Workshop at half-off old pricing! 

Recent episode on a similar topic: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/you-re-not-bad-at-money-how-to-build-a-system-instead-of-a-budget-with-rebecca-palmer

Get your AirDoctor purifier for up to $300 off with the discount code “MONICA.”  Get your teen Knix with code “PROGRESS.” Go to Quince for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

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Do you ever feel like you're good at something but it still doesn't feel like a strength? You're not alone — and there's actually a reason for that. In this clip, transformational coach and positive psychology expert Talia DelZotto breaks down the difference between skills and strengths, and why so many women miss their own strengths entirely because they're looking in the wrong place.If you've been on a personal growth journey but still struggle to answer "what are you good at?" without defaulting to your resume, this one's for you. Talia shares a simple but powerful framework — strength is who you are, skill is how it's expressed — and walks through reflective questions to help you finally identify what lights you up, energizes you, and pulls you into flow.This is the kind of self-awareness that makes daily habits feel more intentional, self-compassion feel more natural, and personal development actually stick.

Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-your-strengths-can-guide-your-path

⁠Preorder Sticky Habits ⁠book today!

⁠Leave a rating and review⁠

Check out my ⁠⁠workshops⁠⁠!

Follow About Progress on ⁠YOUTUBE⁠!

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