EXPOSED DAY 16
Thursday 16th September 2021
Upgrade Your Circle
When you look at your circle of friends, do you know them? Do you know what they stand for? Do you enjoy the same interests? Do you notice if they are still aligned with your vision of your future?
At your place of work or in your business, are you still stimulated by your colleagues? Are you still working as a team toward a common goal?
What is your preference for your free time? Do you fill it with exercise? What about coaching, courses and books? Or do you prefer TV?
Are the people you spend most of your time with constantly challenging you to be a better version of yourself?
The people, content and energy we expose ourselves to have a huge impact on our personal growth.
Are your friends steering you in the right direction or do they prefer competition? Good friends will build you up and want you to succeed.
A toxic workplace can not only make you unhappy, it can lower your self esteem and your development could grind to a halt.
Instead of wasting time watching Netflix, upgrade your learning habits and invest in yourself with mentors and online courses etc. so you’re constantly up levelling yourself and your game.
One of the biggest investments I’ve made is in coaching and online courses and investing in myself has been the best decision of my life.
When you make the decision to spend some money to go all in on yourself, to back yourself so you can change your life for the better, it can feel uncomfortable and foreign but it’s a risk worth taking.
Trust yourself, bet on yourself. Do the work, learn what your mentors have to teach you. Listen to podcasts, read books. Immerse yourself in self improvement.
Whatever you can do to upgrade your present self will help. Be aware of outside forces and energy. Don’t let them mess with your vibration. Some people won’t like what you do, some people may fall by the wayside and that’s ok. Don’t let them hold you back.
Make the decision, invest in yourself and watch your future change when you upgrade your circle.
#exposeyourtruth #30daychallenge #upanduplife
EXPOSED DAY 17
Friday 17th September 2021
Obstacles Help Us Improve
When I first thought of starting my business, the first task I wanted to complete was my website. I was still working in my 9-5 job and I had no tech experience whatsoever. I didn’t even own a computer. I had no capital other than a small savings account and no investors, so employing a web design company was out of the question.
I really wanted to get the website up and running though, as it was the launchpad for my business. I set myself a date of 1st January 2021 to officially launch my brand on my own website and on social media. It was early October 2020 so I had three months to create my website in the evenings and at weekends.
I realised my only option was to do it all myself. So I bought my domain and a website and I started to learn how to configure WordPress. As I mentioned, I didn’t own a computer, so I used what I had available to me – my iPad.
It wasn’t ideal, my progress was slow as I was learning from scratch but several hundred Youtube tutorials later, my website started coming together. It wasn’t easy navigating themes, website terms of use, privacy policies, cookie policies and all of the legal documents that are required. Then there’s plugins, popups, membership software, content drip, payment gateways. The list goes on….
Eventually, after struggling to make it work using my iPad, I managed to get my website up and running. It was a lot of work but I did it. The website is not only functional but I run my coaching business and my online courses within the website. I have a membership site and the ability to generate recurring monthly revenue selling digital products. There is even a section dedicated to free resources which I add to every month.
When you have an idea, don’t let the initial obstacles stop you from seeing your vision through to the end. I could have let the lack of funds or a computer stop me in my tracks but if I had I wouldn’t be where I am in my business today. I wouldn’t have been able to leave my 9-5 job or buy myself a computer!
This quote by Arthur Ashe says it best – ‘Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.’
#exposeyourtruth #30daychallenge #upanduplife
EXPOSED DAY 18
Saturday 18th September 2021
A Different Perspective
One of the tools I use in my business and in life is to view a situation from a different perspective. It’s helpful to do this to think your way out of a problem that may appear, to resolve conflict and also to give yourself options.
Sometimes it can be difficult to see a situation from another point of view as we are too emotionally involved or too wrapped up in the details. But the ability to develop and use this skill is an essential item on any entrepreneur’s list.
In the past, I would run into roadblocks that I wouldn’t be able to see a way around and my progress would come to a halt, but this was because my view of the issue was fixed.
When I learnt that a simple change to my thought process was all it took to open up a whole range of new possibilities, I couldn’t believe I had not been aware of this before.
Now, whenever I have a problem I don’t know how to solve I ask myself – ‘how can I see this from a different perspective?’
You’d be surprised how many new options present themselves to you when you ask this question.
It’s important to stay openminded because solutions can appear from even the most unexpected places. All that is required is the belief that you can see things differently and the ability to observe the situation from outside of yourself.
Taking on the role of a neutral bystander is also a good way to resolve a problem or overcome an obstacle. By separating yourself from your own view, you’ll gain an insight you would not have considered otherwise.
When you apply this way of thinking to all aspects of your life, you’ll notice you have so many more options and your life will be full of fun and enjoyment. But most importantly, you’ll gain a better understanding of yourself and a better understanding of others.
#exposeyourtruth #30daychallenge #upanduplife
EXPOSED DAY 19
Sunday 19th September 2021
Your Next Move
Have you ever had an idea? Something that made you feel excited and had the potential to transform your life into something great? But then you did nothing about it because you didn’t feel confident enough to execute your idea or because people like you just don’t do that?
What would it take for you to follow through on your dream? What would be required for you to believe in yourself and go all in? To level up your life and start living as you know you are supposed to?
I always thought how amazing it would be to start a business and have creative control of my life, but I also never really thought it was something I could do because I didn’t come from the kind of background where people ran their own businesses.
In my formative years it was drummed into me that you have to work to support yourself. That was the number one priority. It doesn’t matter if you’re happy in your work. Pay your rent and bills, then you can do activities that make you happy in your free time. Work and enjoyment were very separate things.
By being brought up in this way of thinking, it never occurred to me that my work could be something that brought me joy and even though I’d had thoughts and ideas, they never led to anything because my mindset was so fixed.
It was only when I joined a group coaching programme that I began to understand that this was not the case and there were people just like me from working class backgrounds that weren’t limiting themselves to being an employee.
They were making bold moves to start businesses doing the things that they love to do. So I made my first bold move and decided to leave my 9-5 job to start my coaching business. It’s not easy and there is risk involved when you take a big step but without moves like that you won’t see any change in your life.
Sometimes it requires a leap of faith to get to the place you want to be. Even if other people don’t see your vision or support it, don’t let them stop you. Do what makes you happy and do it for yourself.
If you need help making your next bold move, fill in the form below to book your FREE mini coaching session.
#exposeyourtruth #30daychallenge #upanduplife
EXPOSED DAY 20
Monday 20th September 2021
Honour Your Word
Today I was asked how I feel about having written these posts for twenty days straight and it got me thinking. This challenge has given me the opportunity to commit to myself and show up to write these posts every day in September, even if I don’t feel like it. I’ve spent the day reflecting on this question – ‘Why is it important that you keep your word?’.
I’ve always felt it was of the utmost importance to honour your word. Not just for myself but for others to do the same. When people say they will do something, it is my belief that they should follow through with it.
I see making a commitment as a big deal. It demonstrates the integrity of the person. If you’re someone that goes back on your word, it shows a lack of respect for yourself and others.
When we act in an honourable manner, it’s more than just doing what we say we will. It means that we are showing the world that we are reliable. That we can be relied upon to make a commitment and our actions show that we see it through to the end.
When you act in this manner consistently you earn and build trust. When you become a trusted member of society you gain respect.
When you are held in high regard by others, your integrity and trustworthiness are what makes you a valued member of any team. This is not only a benefit to your business or your employer, but should also be a mark of personal pride.
Honourable people gain a certain amount of influence among their peers, socially and in the workplace. When you have good habits that build your trust with others, you show them that not only are you deserving of influence but you reclaim your personal power and you’re able to live your life with meaning and purpose.
Commit to yourself today, commit to your personal growth and become the best person you can be. When you have integrity, you’re more likely to achieve your goals and gain the respect of others.
If you’re ready to start your journey of personal growth, fill in the form below to book your FREE mini coaching session.
#exposeyourtruth #30daychallenge #upanduplife
EXPOSED DAY 21
Tuesday 21st September 2021
Get Your Environment Right
Your workplace and home are places you spend a lot of time. Therefore, if those environments are set up to cause you conflict, this can add to your stress levels.
For instance, if you live or work in a cluttered area, you will spend a good deal of your time looking for things. This takes away from more important tasks, like spending more time with family at home or getting more work done at the office. If you don’t have good organisation skills, getting your environment right can be a great first step in reducing some of the stress in your life.
There are companies that are paid big money to design the most efficient office environments. This concept is also being taken into the home. When the places you frequent give you a sense of balance, you will be more productive and more at peace. This will in turn lead to lower stress levels.
Some people believe these kinds of measures are nonsense. However, if you talk to people who may have gone through this process, either at home or their workplaces, I’m sure they will tell you it had a positive impact on their lives.
Another factor is an individual’s tolerance for stress. Some people can handle it well while others can only handle small amounts. For those who can handle a larger amount of stress, the environment surrounding them isn’t going to make much of a difference. While a well designed environment may help them to some degree, they can work or live in just about any surrounding.
Those who have trouble with stress may benefit with an environment redesign. If their outlook and productivity improve, it can be well worth the expense. I find that I work better when I’m in a neat and tidy environment. If there is too much mess surrounding me, it definitely has a negative impact on my productivity and I find it very distracting.
What do you think? Does environment impact on a person’s ability to concentrate? Does it cause unnecessary stress? Let me know in the comments.
#exposeyourtruth #30daychallenge #upanduplife
EXPOSED DAY 22
Wednesday 22nd September 2021
Become Resilient
A few years ago I was made redundant. I hadn’t been in the job long enough to qualify for redundancy pay and I’d been living pay check to pay check, so things got tight immediately. I started looking for a new role but the first month of unemployment came and went without any luck on the job hunt.
My money ran out in month two and I didn’t have any savings to fall back on. I continued looking for jobs but no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t find a new position. I spent my days applying for jobs, visiting employment agencies and travelling to and from interviews.
By month three I was living off credit cards. I lived alone so there was no one to help with the rent and bills. I was getting into debt and I didn’t have any income to pay the minimum payments. I was becoming more worried everyday and my stress levels were going through the roof.
By month four, out of desperation I started selling my belongings to make ends meet. I was despondent, I felt like a failure. Life had knocked me down and I didn’t know how to cope. I was in a permanent state of distress. I couldn’t sleep and I couldn’t get out of the cycle.
After six months I did find a part time job and although it didn’t cover all my expenses, it was a start. The first positive thing to happen since I was made redundant and I promised myself I would never go through this emotional distress again.
I worked on building up my resilience so if hard times happened again, I would be capable of dealing with them. Now I try to look at negative events in my life as short term situations that I can easily navigate and move on from. When you view life’s unexpected moments as being temporary, it’s much easier to deal with them without it being the end of the world.
Here are some things you can do to increase your resilience:
?Be flexible
?Accept that change is part of life
?Take action when problems arise
?Keep moving toward your goals
?Learn from your mistakes
When you work on your resilience you’ll be able to bounce back no matter what happens, and with determination and consistent action anything is possible.
#exposeyourtruth #30daychallenge #upanduplife
