Inside Voice Podcast

Last week we answered five questions that will help us gain clarity on our dreams. And I asked you to do one thing to move you forward... your first step. Do you feel stuck? Many feel stuck right at the start. However, the goal here is not to do the biggest, most perfect thing. The goal is to just get over that initial hump and start gaining ground. There is value in getting started and gaining experience because not only does it help you hone in on your purpose, it will also bring you even more clarity on your life's purpose.

Be sure to checkout The Ed Mylett Show - Protect Your Purpose with Jay Shetty.

Tony Robbins once said, "The faster you get clear on what it is that you want, the faster you brain can go to work making it happen." So how do we get that clarity? I've asked myself these 5 questions to help me get clear on what it is that I want in life...

1. What do you want?

2. Why do you want it?

3. What does that look like?

4. What are some steps you can take now to get there?

5. Where can you find help?

So make some time, grab a cup of coffee or wine and a notepad, and answer these honestly. You may not have all of the perfect answers, but that's OK. Get started in any way that you can and start building momentum. Then, it's off to the races!

I know I left you hanging last week, but I had good reason. Two weeks ago I told you to take a break and rest... so that's what I did. Hubby and I took a train across the country which was not only vacation, but it was a new experience. We've talked about trying new things in previous episodes, so this trip was a win-win. I can now speak with authority on how important it is to rest and to experience something new. 

When was the last time you took some time to rest? It could be something big like a vacation or something simple like a Saturday curled up on the couch with a book. We need downtime. Our bodies and minds crave it. We especially need it in during this mess of a year. It might feel like vacation is unrealistic right now however, we need to get away for a bit. We need to check out for minute in order to check back in stronger. So go ahead, take a break.

What sets you apart? What three things make you different? These were questions a friend asked me recently and I struggled to find the answer. I work hard and I'm willing to go the extra mile, but many people do that. What magical combination makes someone want to listen to my show or hire me over someone with a similar resume? It's important for us to do this. And what's more, it's important for us to lean into these things. It's not selfish. It's ownership. So what are you three things?

Let me ask you, when was the last time you tried something new? When did you last engage in a new activity, eat a new restaurant, set up a new morning routine? For some reason, the practice of trying new things goes out the window as we get older. We become more aware of consequences, but I think more commonly, we become way too comfortable with being comfortable. We need to remind ourselves there's a lot of value in getting out of that comfort zone. 

You know that big thing you want to do with your life? That goal you want to accomplish? The dream you want to realize? It's on you. You dreamed it. You will have to work for it. And you will be the one to live with regret if you never try. This can sound very intimidating and often times defeating. However, the more we see this as an opportunity, the better. Will there be others to help you along your journey? Yes, but ultimately it's on you. You have the power. You can make it happen. So what are you waiting for?

Why do we hold ourselves back from doing the things we want? I used to do this constantly, even in the littlest of things. I would talk myself out of trying something new or buying things I wanted or even just spending time with people I care about... why? For some reason I had told myself that "wasn't me" because these were things I hadn't done in the past. We need to start thinking forward. We need to start doing the things we want to do while we can still do them. 

Ask yourself a question real quick... What are you afraid of? Seriously. What is so scary that you are holding yourself back? Many would say failure or the opinions of other people, but I would say it's something else. You're afraid of change. There are a lot of iffy things that come with change. However, if you're not living the life you want or chasing the dreams you have, you're going to have to change. Scary? Yes. Worth it? Totally.

This year is not the year any of us expected nor wanted in a million years. And yet, here you are. You're still moving forward and pressing on. That's a big deal and I'm so proud of you. Obviously we were not given a guide on how to navigate a pandemic, but with every step you take forward, you are creating your own. You are proving to yourself and everyone around you again and again that you can do hard things.