"𝐈𝐧 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐜𝐲, 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐞, 𝐰𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞". I love that more than most people probably realize. I also think there’s an important distinction that gets missed in conversations about growth, performance, and resilience.. Potential is not accessed through constant nervous system overload but I think many of us approach it in this way. A lot of us try to force ourselves into higher performance while our systems are already chronically stressed, overstimulated, emotionally exhausted, disconnected, or stuck in survival mode. This type of 'grinding' eventually catches up because our nervous system was not designed to just operate under endless pressure without recovery. A lot of self-development is focused around 'pushing harder', 'optimizing more', 'staying hungry', 'outworking everyone', and not slowing down. In the meantime, our bodies are asking to be regulated- asking for moments where they are not subconsciously bracing for the next impact. Healthy amount of sleep. Actual stillness. A sense of safety. A sense of real presence. Real connection with people that are actually grounding for our systems. Many high functioning individuals don't even realize the level of dysregulation because performance is still high, there's still a high level of productivity, there's still movement and achievement. But...internally, we feel perpetually 'on', restless, detached from ourselves, unable to fully recover and kind of emotionally thin.We can be mentally tough but physiologically overwhelmed. This is a signal of survival and survival mode is not sustainable elevation. What's not addressed ends up seeping out in different ways. To rise above mediocrity requires effort, discipline, and responsibility. It does require a level of hunger. BUT it also requires the capacity to regulate our nervous systems well enough that we can actually sustain the clarity, depth, creativity, emotional stability and growth over time. Otherwise burnout happens. An overloaded system feels heavier and things become more difficult than they need to be and then we end up judging ourselves for it "I need to be stronger" "I need to stop being lazy" "I just need more discipline" and on and on an on.

Affirmations are intentional statements we use to help shape our focus, identity, and internal dialogue. They're about reinforcing the mindset we actually want to live from. The most effective affirmations are believable enough to accept, repeated consistently (and internalized over time), emotionally /value connected AND backed by action. :) These were some of the ones I've been leaning on this week: -"I owe it to myself to see how capable I truly am and to live and expand upon my potential" -"I keep promises to myself" -"I will not sleepwalk through a life others would fight for" -"I reject comfort that weakens me and I accept discomfort that strengthens me" -"I don't wait to lose things to appreciate them". Would love to hear some of yours! :) Do you use affirmations or reminders?

Saw this at a place I was visiting today and thought I'd pass it on !! When trying something new, it's probably going to feel uncomfortable! Those are new neural connections being created so there is an actual physical discomfort that's happening. That's normal! Let's embrace the process :-) get aligned and then embrace the discomfort that comes along with the change!

Saw this quote in another community and it was such a good reminder as it applies to soooooo many areas of life. :) "I"ll start when I'm ready" sounds responsible. Thoughtful. Maybe even wise. But often times it's more likely to be self-protection which then leads to procrastination and timidity in action. This 'waiting' for the perfect moment can actually erode self trust over time if we don't take action. And that's a disappointing feeling. We rarely feel 100% ready (but that doesn't mean that we're not ready)..Feelings, while valid, are not facts...They inform, but they don't need to drive. Motivation research shows us that action is often the thing that creates clarity and confidence (not the other way around). Growth almost always requires movement (rather than perfect preparation). Something to consider: There’s also a 𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 at play: the belief that future-you will be braver, more disciplined, or more prepared than present-you. BUT!!!! Avoidance reinforces anxiety which makes us LESS likely to engage in the behavior. This is that erosion of self trust I mentioned earlier! (Check out @Sofia Martinez 's post that very much relates to this erosion of self trust: the-agreement-you-keep-breaking-with-yourself) Sometimes “I’m not ready” is valid, but I think that we need to be honest with ourselves and identify if /when that's actually the case. (Check out @Kate Galli 's post that is related--points out to some things that may get in the way of us taking steps towards goals!!: 6-aversion-factors-that-quietly-kill-your-progress) (The video is related to how to make stress your friend. Figured it would be helpful to put us in better positions for taking on positive risks! :) )

Good morning, empowered fam! Just checking in on you all to see how your first quarter of the year went and what your intetions are for the next three months! :) Here are some things to ponder: 1. What are some wins of the past 3 months? 2. Where do I need to make some adjustments/where is there opportunity for growth? 3. What are my intentions for the next 3 months? Attached is a Quarter 2 Planning Worksheet! :) Consider the different areas of life: Relationships, Spirituality, Physical/Mental Health, Career/financial, Purposeful Action, Creativity, Overall Personal Growth. POLL: How did the last 3 months go?