The Intentional Advantage

We all have things in our lives that make us feel comfortable… sometimes too comfortable. When we don't get out of our comfort zone we begin to stop pushing ourselves to live our best lives. In this week's mini episode, I'm going to share a quick story about how we all get used to the things in our world that are "okay." And, while it's good to be comfortable, we want to make sure that's it's not holding us back from the fulfilling life we want.

This season is all about investing in yourself, and that includes making sure you're not stuck in the comfort zone. I'll share signs to look for so you'll know if you're getting too comfortable, why we let ourselves feel stuck, and solutions to each of the issues you may be experiencing. After listening, you'll have the tips and advice to be more prepared and inspired to take the plunge out of your comfort zone.

What's In This Episode:

• How it feels to be in your comfort zone and why it's not the best place for us to live long term.
• Signs you should look out for to see if you're stuck in the comfort zone.
• The main reasons why it's so hard to get out of our comfort zone, and solutions to each issue you may be having.
• How to make yourself take the plunge by sculpting uncomfortable situations to make them a bit more comfortable.
• What optimal controlled anxiety is, and how it pushes us in the direction of the life we want to live.

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What would you say to the future you? I have a little exercise to go along with episode 053 from earlier this week where we talked about becoming your future self and defining what that means. This activity will set in motion plans, good habits, and small wins in order for you to become who you want to be a year from now and beyond.

My goal for season 5 is for you to invest in YOU. Today's episode is focused on why it's so important to devote our time and energy on actively working towards bettering ourselves for the future. I'll share how our brain perceives ourselves differently in the present versus the future and give you advice on how you can take real steps to implement change through small actions that lead to who you want to be.

What's In This Episode:

• Why it's so important to invest in yourself and examples of what it means. • Research on how we perceive our futures selves as someone we don't actually know. • How we place higher value on immediate rewards, rather than future ones. • Actionable steps you can take to implement change for your future self.

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Recently, I saw Dr. Christine Darden, a woman who began her 40-year career as a NASA engineer in the 1960s, speak at a Woman Up event. Dr. Darden broke through barriers one afternoon when she decided to take a risk and speak up… even if it felt uncomfortable and scary. By asking her superior a single question, she propelled herself forward to where she wanted to be. See what lessons we can learn from Dr. Darden about asking the right questions, breaking through social constraints for women and why we shouldn't give up on dreams.

I want to challenge you to make some choices as we end season 4. Rethink what it means to be 'busy' and how you may be allowing insignificant tasks to run your time. I'm sharing how you can start making choices to live life how you want, from little wins and small habits to changing your mindset and maintaining routines. After this episode, you'll be more prepared to take control and own your time, at work, home and in your personal life.

What's In This Episode:

• How to rethink busy: ways you can own your day, not the other way around,
• Why it's important to take charge of your time and tasks.
• My favorite tips for how you can focus in on one task and your top priorities.
• Take the thinking out of it: how to think about routines and habits in a new way and why they're important to create & maintain.
• Examples of little tasks you can do to give yourself little wins throughout your day

After recently reading a short article by Carl Richards in the New York Times, I wanted to share it with you because of how powerful it was for me. It's more than an article, it's also a quick exercise that will change your perspective and mindset about failure. I've talked about failure a lot this season, and this activity will push you to move forward in a positive and optimistic way when you feel like you've failed.

Getting started on your passion project and staying motivated can feel difficult. Today, I'm discussing how our mindset plays a big role in how we work, and ways you can shift your thinking so that actionable steps are taken towards your passion project. I'll give you examples of how you can better prioritize what's important so you consistently feel motivated, your deadlines are met, and goals are achieved.

What's In This Episode:

• Three key reasons why you're procrastinating getting started on your big goals. • Why we need to eliminate the word "lazy" from our vocabulary. • Actionable tips for creating and maintaining a motivational mindset that will change the way you think about your work. • How to create a motivation plan for yourself so you can tackle your passion project. • Examples of how you can set up penalties and hold yourself accountable so that you can make deadlines work for you.

Today, I want to share a powerful poem with you by Sadhguru, an Indian mystic and humanitarian. I listen to this poem at least once per month during my meditations, and at this time of year, I think everyone could benefit from reading or hearing it as well. The poem asks several questions throughout that will make you think and reflect on how you spend your time. At the end, I have a little challenge for you to think about as you head into a new year.

Overcoming naysayers and pushing herself to do her best work, world famous chef, Niki Nakayama, opened up her own highly acclaimed restaurant, n/naka. Niki discusses how she broke through personal and cultural expectations to go after her big dream. Learn about an inspiring woman who is pursuing her goals in spite of limitations, rules and criticism. After today's episode, you'll be motivated to take action on your own big dreams and goals.

What's In This Episode:

• What we can learn from the Japanese term, kuyashii, and how Niki overcame the expectation that she was to be a supporting character to the men in her life. • How Niki broke through personal and social barriers in her different environments. • The process of how Niki let go of her old dream and idea and started a new creative endeavor. • How limitations or rules can actually allow more creativity, instead of containing you. • How Niki chooses to represent herself in her kaiseki restaurant and in a male dominated industry • Using criticism to motivate you, instead of having a negative experience and quitting.