I tell myself that I love a good challenge--and this is true if it's in an area where I feel either competent or excited about or both! But is it less true if those factors don't exist? Maybe. How much of a challenge is it really if it's still kind of in my comfort zone? Many people wait to feel ready before they take on something difficult. But readiness is usually the reward we get after doing the hard thing, not before. Challenges stretch our minds, expand our emotional bandwidth, and reshape our brains for the better. 🧠 Here comes the nerdy stuff!! I love it so much though: What's at work? 1. Prefrontal Cortex: This part of the brain supports planning, decision making and emotional regulation. Hard tasks strengthen this region, improving self control and long term thinking. Executive functioning skills here we come! 2. Anterior mid Cingulate Cortex: This region is activated when we face conflict, discomfort or uncertainty. It helps ups with building cognitive flexibility and grit. It helps us survive! 3. Hippocampus: Challenges promote neuroplasticity which supports learning, memory and resilience. Pushing your limits in manageable doses helps this area 4. Dopamine System: Completing difficult tasks triggers reward pathways. This builds confidence, motivation and a sense of mastery. It reinforces the message that you can do hard things and survive. And who doesn't want a little dopamine hit here and there? Taking on challenges creates internal shifts like learning we can handle discomfort, our ability to tolerate uncertainty increases, we build a sense of self trust, we start believing that we are capable, we become less reactive under pressure and stress becomes more like information rather than danger. ⚡ Why It Matters A life without challenge feels safe, but it also keeps us small and not growing. A life with challenge feels uncomfortable but we end up growing and helping ourselves down the line. We do not grow by staying within the edges of what you already know, but rather by stepping into a level of difficulty that activates your brain, stretches your identity and builds capacity you did not know you had. :) Pretty cool stuff, right? :) :)

Spotlight on @Steve Webb this week! Check out his community here: 30daychallengers (a community that aims to help with personal improvement in different domains of life through 30 day challenges!) This has EASILY become one of my favorite spaces to be in skool. The community is solid and encouraging, the challenges are fun/engaging and also meaningful! Opportunities for growth are there and ready for the taking! And Steve is not so bad himself. Jk, he's great! :)

Hello! 😀 Welcome to a community that will serve to empower you to live your most fulfilled life! Excited for us to be part of a supportive environment where we will be encouraged to explore and increase self-awareness, gain perspective, develop insight, take action and thrive through our journey in life. ♥ I believe that you have value and worth and who you are as a person matters and this will guide many of the posts that you will see. Posts will take into consideration the different dimensions of life: social, emotional, intellectual, physical, spiritual, occupational, etc. 💡You are welcome and ENCOURAGED to share material, insights, inspirations, questions, and anything that you think that will be helpful towards growth.💡 ❤️Let's live wholeheartedly and with intention!!! ❤️ So honored to be part of this journey with you! Thank you for allowing me to be part of it. 🙂 🌟Please introduce yourself and also share something that brings you joy and makes you feel alive🌟 added: share some topics that interest you-- this will help guide some of the content!!🔥 ***Feel free to self promote either here or under the life wins category***

New here! I’m a nutrition and wellness coach. I live in Wisconsin USA and I thrive off of connections! Let’s get to know each-other. Here is an anxiety hack for ya today When you feel that panic spark… move. Your body and brain need a new dynamic to break the cycle. • Do 10 pushups • Jog in place for 20 seconds • Hit a round of jumping jacks Then breathe. Slow. Deep. Controlled. You shift your body. Your nervous system follows. What’s your go-to move when anxiety hits?

@Lisa Vanderveen has been part of my journey since the beginning stages of this skool community. Her gentle (not to be confused with weakness!) approach is grounding. Here are the two groups she has: identity -For Kingdom Focused business women ready to break performance driven cycles, have peace in their home and build the business God has assigned them. (i like this space for grounding in faith) network-for community builders on skool.